Working in a clinical setting can be dangerous. Bloodborne pathogens, such as HIV and Hepatitis B, are serious concerns for hospital and clinical workers. But what is a bloodborne pathogen? How do these viruses get transferred? And what can you do to protect yourself from them? In this article, we'll examine how to spot potential hazards in your workplace as well as provide information on how you can better protect yourself from bloodborne pathogens.
Bloodborne pathogens are a serious concern for hospital and clinical workers.
Bloodborne pathogens are a serious concern for hospital and clinical workers. Bloodborne pathogens (BBPs) are microorganisms that can be transmitted from one person to another through direct contact with blood or other body fluids. More than 20 diseases are passed through the blood, including hepatitis B virus (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and syphilis.
Bloodborne infections can be acquired through needles and sharps, which include needles used in medical procedures or injections; scalpels; scissors; blades used to cut bandages; razors used on patients' skin; broken glass vials containing medications; dental instruments such as drills; broken thermometers/thermocouples (used to take temperature readings); scalpels/scalpels/scissors contaminated with blood during surgery or medical testing procedures
Bloodborne Pathogens and their causes
Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms that can cause disease in humans. They include viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. The most common bloodborne pathogens are hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and syphilis.
Bloodborne pathogens are found in blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and other body fluids. They can be passed from one person to another through direct contact with these fluids or through exposure to contaminated needles/syringes used for injection drugs or tattooing equipment used on patients who may have been exposed to such diseases; the fluids must be contaminated with the bloodborne pathogens in order for disease transmission to occur.
How to protect yourself from bloodborne pathogens
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Use universal precautions.
- Don't reuse needles and other contaminated equipment.
- Don't share needles or other contaminated equipment with others, even if they are "clean" at the time of use; this includes lancets used in diabetes testing kits, syringes used for vaccinations or insulin injections, and any other items that may have come into contact with blood or bodily fluids during an exposure incident such as gloves, gowns, and face shields.
- Clean up any spills immediately using an appropriate disinfectant solution according to the manufacturer's instructions on the label--always read labels carefully before using any chemicals!
How to determine if you need to be trained in Bloodborne Pathogens?
If you are a healthcare worker and perform duties that involve exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials, then you need to be trained in Bloodborne Pathogens. This includes anyone who works with blood, bodily fluids, or any materials that may contain human blood.
If you have been exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials while performing your job duties, then it is highly recommended that you be trained in Bloodborne Pathogens as well.
In addition, if there is an employee who has an infectious disease known by the employer and/or supervisor (including HIV/AIDS), they must be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling patient care activities such as direct patient contact; cleaning up spills; assisting patients into wheelchairs/gurneys; bathing patients, etc... The employer must also ensure proper disposal of PPE after use so that no one else comes into contact with them later on down the road!
Who needs Bloodborne Pathogen training?
Anyone who works in a hospital or clinical setting is at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. This includes nurses, doctors, dentists, and other healthcare workers.
It's also important to note that anyone who may be exposed to blood or bodily fluids is at risk for contracting an infectious disease through these exposures. This includes dental hygienists and assistants as well as office managers who work near patient treatment areas.
Finally, anyone who may be exposed to sharps (needles used for injections) or other potentially infectious materials should take the time to learn about how they can protect themselves from becoming infected with a bloodborne pathogen.
What should be included in a Bloodborne Pathogen class?
A bloodborne pathogen training program is a must for any business that handles blood or body fluids. The program should include:
- A written policy and procedure, which outlines the company's expectations of employees in regard to safety when handling bloodborne pathogens. Employees must be aware of these policies in order to comply with them, so they should be included in the training process.
- Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are also required by state laws; these documents provide information about hazards associated with chemical substances used at work sites, along with recommendations for safe handling procedures that may be necessary for each substance or chemical mixture. MSDSs must be kept current as new research develops about potential dangers associated with certain materials--they can't simply be left unchanged indefinitely without being updated!
Being aware of the risks involved with working with blood, bodily fluids, or other materials that may contain human blood can help you keep yourself and others safe.
When you're working in a clinical setting, it's important to know what the risks are. Bloodborne pathogens can be transmitted through contact with blood, bodily fluids, or other materials that may contain human blood. These pathogens include hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and HIV/AIDS.
Being aware of the risks involved with working with blood, bodily fluids, or other materials that may contain human blood can help you keep yourself and others safe.
The following information will help you understand how these diseases are spread and what you can do to protect yourself from them:
Conclusion
Bloodborne pathogens are a serious concern for hospital and clinical workers. It's important that you understand the risks involved with working with blood, bodily fluids, or other materials that may contain human blood so that you can keep yourself and others safe. The best way to protect yourself is through training and certification in Bloodborne Pathogens.