STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC TRAINING
BLOOD-BORNE PATHOGEN EXPOSURE COMTROL PLAN
This policy has been developed and adopted from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
recommendations, OSHA Blood-borne Pathogen Standards, the NCAA Sports Medicine
Handbook, the United States Olympic Sports Medicine Committee, and the Gatorade Sports
Science Exchange.
The occurrence of bleeding during athletic events continues to be a concern for athletes, coaches,
and medical personnel. Much of the concern arises from the fear that blood-borne pathogens of
concern include, but are not limited to, the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and the human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Infections with these (HBV, HIV) viruses have increased
throughout the last decade among all portions of the general population, as well as the athletic
population. The following guidelines adopted for use of control of infectious agents by Stephen
F. Austin State University Athletic Department and Athletic Training Staff.
Identified Areas of Risk of Exposure to Infectious Agents
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CPR
• Management of Compound Fracture
Blister Care
• Management of open wounds
Mouth to Mouth resuscitation
• Suture removal
Evaluating Dental/Oral Inujries
• Shaving calluses
Specimens
• Needles and other contaminated sharps objects
Environmental Management (Soiled laundry, cleaning surfaces, disposing biohazard materials)
Universal Precautions for Exposure to Blood-Borne Infectious Agents
Universal precautions will be taken at this facility in order to prevent contact with blood, blood
products, or other potentially infectious materials which may transmit viruses or infections. All
blood, blood product, or other potentially infectious material will be considered infectious
regardless of the perceived status of the source or source individual.
The following universal precautions will be regarded at all times:
1. When the possibility of exposure to blood or other fluids exists, appropriate barrier
precautions to prevent skin and mucous membrane exposure must be followed. Vinyl or
latex gloves must be worn for touching blood and body fluids, mucous membranes, or
non-intact skin for all people, and for handling items or surfaces soiled with blood or
body fluids. Gloves should be changed after contact with each person, and disposed of in
a biohazard waste container.
2. Hands and other skin surfaces should be washed immediately and thoroughly with soap
and water if contaminated with blood or other body fluids. Hands should be washed
immediately after the removal of gloves as well.
3. Sharp items should be considered potentially ineffective and be handled with
extraordinary care to prevent accidental injuries. After they are used, syringes, needles,
scalpel blades and other sharp items should be placed in a puncture resistant container
(Sharps Container) for disposal. The Sharp’s container will be located in the all athletic
SFA Athletic Training
training rooms on campus. Needles or blades should not be purposefully bent, removed
or otherwise manipulated by hand.
4. Although saliva has not been implicated in HIV transmission, to minimize the need for
emergency mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, mouthpieces, resuscitation bags or other
ventilation devices are available for use in which the need for resuscitation is predictable.
5. Persons who have exudate lesions or weeping dermatitis should refrain from all direct
care of wounds and from handling health care equipment until the condition resolves.
6. Pregnant women should be especially familiar with the precautions to minimize the
possible transmission of infectious pathogens to the fetus.
SFA Athletic Training
Specific Athletic Training Precautions fro Controlling Infectious Agents
These are modifications made relevant to the athletics arena, and to meet the rules of
competition for the NCAA, to minimize the risk of blood-borne pathogen transmission in the
context of athletic events.
2003-2004 NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook, Sixteenth Edition, August 2003
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Pre-event preparation includes proper care for existing wounds, abrasions, cuts or
weeping wounds that may serve as a source of bleeding or as a port of entry for
blood-borne pathogens. These wounds should be covered with an occlusive dressing
that will withstand the demands of competition. Likewise, the care-giver who may
have healing wounds or dermatitis should have those areas adequately covered to
prevent transmission to and from the athlete. Student-athletes may be advised to wear
more protective equipment on high risk areas, such as elbows and hands.
The necessary equipment and/or supplies will be available to all members of the
Athletic Training Staff and Department of Athletics. These supplies can be found in
the Athletic Training Room and all satellite athletic training rooms. These supplies
are required to be carried by all athletic trainers at the site of athletic activity.
These supplies include, but are not limited to, vinyl or latex gloves, disinfectant
bleach solution, antiseptics, and designated receptacles for soiled equipment and
uniforms, bandages and/or dressings, and a container for appropriate disposal of
needles, syringes, or scalpels.
When a student-athlete is bleeding, the bleeding must be stopped and the open wound
covered with a dressing sturdy enough with withstand the demands of activity before
the student-athlete may continue participation in practice or competition. Current
NCAA policy mandates the immediate, aggressive treatment of open wounds or skin
lesions that are deemed potential risks for transmission of disease. Athletes with
active bleeding should be removed from the event as soon as is practical. Return to
play is determined by the appropriate medical staff personnel. Any participant whose
uniform is saturated with blood, regardless of the source, must have that uniform
evaluated by appropriate medical personnel for potential infectiousness and changed,
if necessary, before return to participation.
During an event, early recognition of uncontrolled bleeding is the responsibility of
officials, student-athletes, coaches, and medical personnel. In particular, studentathletes should be aware of their responsibility to report a bleeding wound to the
proper medical personnel.
Athletic Training personnel managing an acute blood exposure must follow the
guidelines for universal precautions (see previous section).
Any surface contaminated with spilled blood should be cleaned in accordance with
the following procedures:
o With gloves on, the spill should be contained in as small an area as possible.
o After blood is removed, the surface area of concern should be cleaned with an
appropriate decontaminate: 1 part bleach to 10 parts water
Proper disposal procedures will be practiced to prevent injuries caused by needles,
scalpels, and other sharp instruments (see previous section).
SFA Athletic Training
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After each practice or competition, any equipment or uniforms soiled with blood
should be placed in a plastic bag (preferably a clearly marked red biohazard material
bag). Equipment and uniforms which have been used and have moderate blood or
body fluid contamination will be laundered separately and handled according to
universal precautions. Lightly tainted towels and uniforms can be placed into the
normal laundry bag. Latex or vinyl gloves should be worn at all times when handling
blood tainted items.
All Athletic Training personnel should be trained in basic first aid and infection
control, including the preventive measures outlined previously.
SFA Athletic Training
Infectious Agents Control Policy
Collection and Disposal of Biohazard Waste Materials
The certified/licensed athletic trainer is responsible for sealing the bags and taking them to the
SFA Health Services for proper disposal. The Sharps container should also be closed and
deposited at the SFA Health Services for proper disposal. Final disposal of all Biohazard waste
must be in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations.
Collection Procedures
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Gloves, Gauze, Human Tissue, etc.
The Athletic Training Rooms contain several biohazard waste containers which are lined
with biohazard waste bags. Materials which have become contaminated with blood
exudates, secretions, body fluid wastes, or other infectious agents are to be placed in
these containers.
Laundry
Towels which have been used and have moderate blood or body fluid contaminations
may be placed in a plastic bag. These towels should then be laundered separately, using
normal laundering procedures, making sure that some bleach is included into the water.
Lightly tainted towels can be placed in the normal laundry bag and laundered as per
normal laundering procedures.
Sharps
Puncture resistant containers (Sharp’s containers) are located in the Athletic Training
Rooms. All scalpels and sharp objects contaminated with blood, exudates, body fluids,
or other infectious agents will be discarded into the Sharp’s container.
Tables, Counter Tops, Floors, Whirlpools, etc.
All surfaces contaminated with blood, exudates, body fluids or other infectious afents
will be cleaned with an appropriate chemical germicide. A solution of one (1) part bleach
to ten (10) parts water (or similar) will be used.
SFA Athletic Training