Bloodborne pathogens are diseases that can be transmitted through contact with blood or other bodily fluids. They include HIV, hepatitis B and C, and other infections. Proper hand hygiene is the most effective way to prevent the spread of bloodborne pathogens in healthcare settings. Most hospitals require all staff members to wash their hands with soap and water before beginning patient care activities, after using a restroom, before preparing food or eating in patients' rooms, before handling contaminated equipment or working in areas where harmful chemicals are used.
Hand hygiene is the most important way to prevent the spread of bloodborne pathogens
Handwashing with soap and water is the first step in preventing the spread of bloodborne pathogens.
- After activities that may increase the risk for exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM), such as:
- performing invasive procedures on patients;
- performing any procedure that produces a large amount of blood spillage;
- performing clinical examinations in which there is contact with mucous membranes or nonintact skin;
- Before handling clean linens and equipment, particularly when moving them from one patient room to another;
- Before eating, drinking or smoking in areas where these activities could contaminate hands;
- After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose into tissues you plan on discarding into waste containers located throughout our facility
Handwashing with soap and water is the first step in preventing the spread of bloodborne pathogens
Hand hygiene is the first line of defense against the spread of bloodborne pathogens. Hands should be washed immediately after touching a cut or scrape on someone else's body, before and after caring for someone who has an infectious disease, and after handling blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). Handwashing with soap and water is the most effective way to remove germs from your skin. When you don't have access to clean running water and soap, use an alcohol-based hand gel with at least 60% alcohol content as an alternative method of hand hygiene when appropriate.
Hand hygiene should be practiced after activities
Hand hygiene should be practiced after activities that may increase the risk for exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials such as:
- Before and after caring for a patient whose condition requires isolation precautions or possible infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- Before and after handling contaminated equipment or working in areas where harmful chemicals are used.
Handwashing with soap and water is the first step in preventing the spread of bloodborne pathogens. Alcohol-based sanitizers can be used, but only if hands are not visibly soiled. Hand hygiene is the most important way to prevent the spread of bloodborne pathogens
Using a restroom, especially in clinical areas where there are sick people
Hand hygiene is a part of everyday life. Whether you're in a hospital, school, or other clinical setting, hand hygiene is important for everyone--not just doctors and nurses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 20 people carry HBV (hepatitis B virus) or HCV (hepatitis C virus), which can be transmitted through contact with blood or other bodily fluids.
In addition to being the first line of defense against these diseases, proper hand hygiene also prevents transmission of common viruses such as flu and colds. Hand sanitizers are available throughout most hospitals today; however, soap and water are still considered best practice when possible because it removes dirt from under your fingernails where germs hide most often!
Before preparing food or eating in a patient's room
- Before preparing food or eating in a patient's room.
- Wash hands in warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
- Rinse with warm running water and dry with a clean towel or air dryer (not by rubbing your hands together). If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol by volume (ABV). Do not use wipes containing bleach because they don't kill all types of germs on the skin or prevent the spread of infection via direct contact with other people or surfaces.
- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands after washing them.
- Disinfect door knobs and hard surfaces regularly.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing to avoid spreading germs through the air; don't share cups, utensils, tissues, etc.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Before and after caring for a patient
Hand hygiene is important for all healthcare workers to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Hand hygiene should also be practiced before and after caring for a patient whose condition requires isolation precautions or possible infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- Before: After using the restroom, especially in clinical areas where there are sick people.
- After: Before preparing food or eating in a patient's room.
Before handling contaminated equipment or working in areas
- Wear gloves.
- Wash your hands with soap and water after removing the gloves, or use a hand sanitizer if you don't have access to running water.
- Clean all equipment that has come into contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) with a disinfectant before you use it again. This includes medical instruments such as syringes and needles, thermometers, stethoscopes--anything that touches infected tissue. If you can't wash the entire piece of equipment in water, simply wipe down areas where blood may have been present with an alcohol-based solution such as ethanol or 10% bleach solution; then allow them time to air dry completely before reusing them.
- Don't forget about yourself! It's important not only for your own safety but also for those around you; many infections are spread through direct contact between people who aren't aware they've been exposed until symptoms appear days later
Proper hand hygiene will reduce your risk of contracting bloodborne pathogens
Hand hygiene is the most important way to prevent the spread of bloodborne pathogens. Hand hygiene should be practiced after activities that may increase the risk for exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials such as:
- Using a restroom, especially in clinical areas where there are sick people
- Before preparing food or eating in a patient's room
- Before and after caring for a patient whose condition requires isolation precautions or possible infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Conclusion
It's important to remember that handwashing is the first step in preventing the spread of bloodborne pathogens. The more frequently you wash your hands, the less likely you are to contract a disease from an infected patient or coworker.
