Staying Healthy: 8 Critical Points About Bloodborne Pathogen Training

In the United States, training in the matters of bloodborne pathogens and universal precautions falls under the regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Any type of bloodborne pathogen training program, whether it is meant for medical professionals, students, or other employees, needs to follow OSHA's guidelines. Read below to find out what you should expect from a certified bloodborne pathogen training course.

• In order to determine the risk for exposure in certain workplaces, employers have to compile a list of job qualifications where all employees are at risk for occupational exposure, a list of job qualifications where at least some of the employees are at risk for occupational exposure, and a list of procedures and tasks during which occupational exposure could occur.

• To reduce the risk of occupational exposure, employers have to make sure they use engineering and work practice controls. If after the implementation of these controls, there still is a risk of occupational exposure, employers have to provide staff members with protective equipment (gloves, masks) and hand washing stations or antiseptic hand cleansers. The cost of the protective equipment, as well as its maintenance (cleaning, disinfection, or disposal) is completely up to the employer. Clinical laboratories should be equipped with eye washing facilities as well.

• Immediately after their use, any contaminated sharps (needles, scalpels, or scissors) have to be placed in labeled or specifically colored containers. These containers have to be leak proof and puncture resistant and they must remain closed at all times during their transportation.

• Employees are forbidden from eating, smoking, drinking, handling contact lenses, or applying cosmetics in any areas of the workplace where occupational exposure is likely. It is also forbidden to store food or drinks in these areas.

• All regulated waste, thought of or known to be infected with a bloodborne pathogen, has to be either incinerated or decontaminated through any method that can effectively destroy or inactivate bloodborne pathogens.

• All areas with potentially infected material have to have warning sign posted on every access door. The warning sign should contain the international symbol for biohazard as well as a description of the infectious agent and possible recommendation for those who access the areas. Also, only authorized personnel that has been thoroughly trained and made aware of the risks should be permitted to access such areas.

• Any employee working with potentially infected materials should be vaccinated against Hepatitis B and other bloodborne pathogens after receiving proper training and before they start work. Also, the employer is required to offer employees free medical evaluations from time to time.

• Employees should receive adequate bloodborne pathogen training before they start performing tasks where there is a likeliness of occupational exposure and should retake the course once a year from that point on.

These are some of the most important guidelines offered by OSHA in regards to bloodborne pathogen training. You can find out more about these precautions as well as other procedures that need to be followed in any nationally-recognized bloodborne pathogen training course.

Bloodborne Pathogens Training For Non-Medhcal Professionals: 4 Points to Keep In Mind

Disease causing microorganisms that are transmitted from one person to another through contaminated human blood are known as bloodborne pathogens. The most common bloodborne pathogens are hepatitis B and C and HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). Having no medical background, you may not understand the dangers of exposure to these pathogens. Contamination may lead to disease and in sometimes even death.

Therefore, it is good always be prepared if you are ever in a situation that causes you to be exposed to bloodborne pathogens. Here are four simple guidelines to follow in such situations. These guidelines are approved by the American Heart Association (AHA).

• First of all you need to protect yourself from any potentially infected blood and body fluids. If you happen to encounter someone on the road have a cardiac arrest and decide to perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), you must wear gloves and a mask. If you don't have access to either, weigh out your options and make your decision. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.

• Second, if you ever are exposed to someone's blood or body fluids, waste no time. You need to act fast. You never know whose blood is infected and whose is not. Wash that area with hot water with soap. Let it lather up for a few minutes before you wash it off. If your eyes have been infected, use clean water to flush your eyes. Do this for five minutes at least.

• The third guideline pertains to the room or equipment that is contaminated. For e.g. if someone has bled over a work top, clean the area immediately. You can use one part Clorox solution and eight parts water. Scrub the place down let the solution rest for a few minutes, and then wash it off. In case of needles or sharp instruments, wdar gloves while picking them up and put them all in a bag along with the dirty cleaning cloths and dispose of them properly. You must be extra careful when dealing with needles. Be careful not be accidentally poke yourself with as you try to throw it away.

• If the incident has occurred in your workplace you must immediately report it to the head of your department and the Human Resource Department. You must also show yourself to a doctor to confirm whether you have been contaminated or not. Even if you think you were not exposed, you must go to the doctor as a precautionary measure.

Employees of healthcare organizations, especially doctors, nurses, blood bank technicians, laboratory technicians, housekeeping staff, and janitors are at a greater risk of being exposed to bloodborne pathogens owing to their nature of work. Therefore, it becomes especially important to them to take the necessary precautions to keep themselves protected and safe. Being in such a setting, they are aware of the consequences of even a small careless mistake. However, a layman on the street who may be accidentally exposed to such pathogens does not understand the severity of the problem. Hence, it is necessary to spread awareness so everyone knows what to do to protect themselves in an emergency.