CPR + First Aid + BBP Certification Manual: Protection from Pathogens

Protection from Bloodborne Pathogens

Bloodborne pathogen exposure can often be reduced by recognizing potential hazards and using appropriate protective measures before contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials occurs.

Protection involves more than a single piece of equipment. Safe work practices, protective barriers, proper handling of contaminated materials, environmental cleaning, and prompt reporting all contribute to reducing exposure.

Universal Precautions

Universal precautions should be used whenever contact with human blood or other potentially infectious materials may occur. Treat these materials as potentially infectious regardless of whether the source individual is known to have an infection.

Body Substance Isolation (BSI)

Body substance isolation, or BSI, is the practice of using barriers to avoid contact with another person's body substances. BSI works alongside universal precautions as a foundational infection-control approach.

Avoid Direct Contact

Whenever practical, avoid direct skin contact with blood or potentially infectious materials. Cover cuts, abrasions, dermatitis, or other areas of non-intact skin before beginning a task that could involve exposure.

Use Barriers

Use appropriate PPE whenever contact with blood, body fluids, contaminated surfaces, or potentially infectious materials is reasonably anticipated. Gloves protect the hands, while eye protection, masks, face shields, and protective clothing may be appropriate when splashing or spraying is possible.

Use Safe Work Practices

Safe work practices may include:

• Keeping food and drinks away from areas where blood or contaminated materials are handled
• Avoiding touching the face with contaminated gloves
• Washing hands after removing gloves
• Handling sharps carefully
• Placing contaminated materials in appropriate containers
• Cleaning and disinfecting contaminated surfaces appropriately
• Reporting exposure incidents promptly

Hand Hygiene

After removing gloves or other PPE, wash your hands with soap and clean, running water:

1. Wet your hands before applying soap
2. Lather all surfaces, including between the fingers and under the nails
3. Scrub for at least 20 seconds
4. Rinse thoroughly under clean, running water
5. Dry with a clean towel or air dryer
6. Use a clean paper towel to turn off a manual faucet

If soap and water are unavailable and the hands are not visibly soiled, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. Rub it over all hand surfaces until dry. If the hands are visibly contaminated with blood or OPIM, wash them with soap and water as soon as possible.

Remember

Consistent precautions are more effective than trying to determine whether a particular person or material is infectious. Use appropriate protection whenever exposure is reasonably possible.