Introduction
Bloodborne pathogens are diseases that can be transmitted through contact with the blood of another person. Bloodborne pathogens include:
Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, and other less common but still very serious diseases
What is a bloodborne pathogen?
Bloodborne pathogens are infectious diseases that are spread through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person. The most common bloodborne pathogens include hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), HIV, and human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I).
Bloodborne pathogens can enter your body through various routes of transmission, including:
- Skin penetration - when an infected person's skin is punctured by an infected needle or sharp object during medical treatment or drug use;
- Contact with mucus membranes - when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or blows their nose into something you touch;
- Inhalation - if you breathe air containing microscopic droplets of blood from an infected person's respiratory tract via sneezing/coughing/blowing nose without protection;
If you work in health care settings where there is potential for exposure to bloodborne pathogens -- for example as a phlebotomist who draws blood samples from patients -- it's important that you take precautions against contracting these diseases yourself and passing them on through contact with others.
Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard is a federal regulation that applies to all employers and workers. The standard applies to all bloodborne pathogens, including viruses like hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), as well as bacteria such as tetanus, staphylococcus aureus, and streptococcus pyogenes. The standard also addresses the need for infection control in the workplace.
The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard was created, which oversees its implementation through citations issued when employers fail to follow its provisions or protect their employees from exposure to bloodborne pathogens at work sites.
Who is required to get a bloodborne pathogen certification?
- Employees who have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM).
- Employees who are occupationally exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials.
- Those who may be exposed to blood or OPIM as a result of performing first aid or medical assistance.
How long do I need to be certified?
The length of time you need to be certified depends on the nature of your job. The standard requires that you be trained and certified at least every two years, but some professions require more frequent renewal. For example:
- Nurses and nursing assistants must renew their bloodborne pathogen certification every year.
- Laboratory technicians must renew their certification every two years (unless they work in an area where there's no risk of exposure).
If your employer requires annual or biennial recertification, they will likely pay for it or reimburse you for the cost--but if they don't offer this benefit, there are other options available:
- Many states require employers who work with potentially infectious materials like bloodborne pathogens to provide training programs as part of their compliance efforts; if this is true in your state then it may be possible to take advantage of these free trainings instead of paying out-of-pocket yourself! 2) If neither option sounds appealing then try searching online - there are plenty available through third-party vendors such as.
Which type of training is right for me?
Depending on your job, you may be required to take bloodborne pathogens certification training. Bloodborne pathogens are infectious agents that can be transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person. These include:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
- HIV/AIDS
Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are common in the United States, especially among people who inject drugs or receive tattoos at home or abroad, as well as those who work in healthcare settings where they might come into contact with infected patients' blood and bodily fluids. HIV infection rates remain high among certain groups such as men who have sex with men; however, HIV infections overall have decreased since the 1980s due to effective prevention efforts such as condom use during sexual intercourse between two uninfected partners.
Takeaway:
The takeaway here is that you should take the time to protect yourself and others by getting your bloodborne pathogens certification. This will ensure that you are aware of how to properly protect yourself and those around you from diseases transmitted through blood, such as HIV/AIDS or hepatitis B. If you want more information about this topic, feel free to reach out!
Conclusion
As a bloodborne pathogen trainer, I hope this article has helped you to better understand the importance of training in your workplace. It's also important that everyone understand what they need to do when working with potentially infectious materials. To learn more about how we can help your company with its compliance needs, please contact us today!