Anesthesia Medical Alliance
Bloodborne Pathogen & OSHA Update
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What are bloodborne pathogens?

They’re disease causing organisms,
including viruses and bacteria, that may be
present in human blood, blood components
or blood products. Bloodborne pathogens
can make you very ill. Some can even kill.
Which ones are most common in
health-care settings ?
The pathogens of greatest concern for most healthcare workers are:
 HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the virus that
causes AIDS – it can take up to 10 years to progress
into AIDS
 HBV (hepatitis B virus), a virus that can cause
serious liver damage
 HCV (hepatitis C virus), another virus that can cause
liver disease
Are there others I should know about ?
Yes. Many other bloodborne diseases
pose a threat to people in both healthcare and home-care settings.
Examples include:
 Hepatitis D
 Diphtheria
 Syphilis
 Ebola(viral hemorrhagic fever)
 malaria
 herpes
Other body substances
may also spread bloodborne pathogens…
These include:
 blood products (such as plasma)
 tissue
 semen
 vaginal secretions
 amniotic fluid
 pericardial
 synovial fluid
Some bloodborne pathogens are deadly.
Patients who are ill, injured or
otherwise weakened…
may be especially
vulnerable to infection.
Taking steps to prevent
transmission of
bloodborne pathogens
helps keep patients,
their families and other
visitors out of harm’s
way.
How are bloodborne pathogens
transmitted ?
Infections are most likely to occur when contaminated
blood or other body substances come in contact with
a person’s :
 broken skin – examples include skin that’s been
jabbed with a needle or cut with a sharp object, or
skin with an existing cut, rash or burn
 mucous membranes - splashing or spraying blood
can cause infection through the delicate tissues of
the eyes, nose and mouth.
Bloodborne Pathogen Standard



OSHA’s Bloodborne pathogen standard
introduced in 1991
Outlines preventative measures to reduce
the risk of transmission of bloodborne
pathogens
Measures include: protective barriers,
engineering controls, work practice controls,
prompt post exposure evaluation and
treatment
Bloodborne Pathogen Standard
Cont’d

Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act
passed in 2000 and it amended the OSHA
Bloodborne Pathogen Standard to include
stronger requirements for safety needles
Bloodborne Pathogens and Health
Care Providers

600,000-800,000 exposures annually

Sharp decline in incidence of HBV infection among
HCP since OSHA regulations implemented

CDC reports 57 U.S. HCP with documented HIV
sero-conversion

An additional 139 episodes are considered possible
occupational HIV transmission
Summary of Actual BBP Risks

HIV
0.3%
PEP

HCV
3%
No vaccine or PEP

HBV
30%
Vaccine
Primary Prevention

Consistent use of Universal / Standard
Precautions

Education / retraining staff about
occupational risks

Modification of procedures & work practices
Primary Prevention, cont’d

Engineered controls - use of technological
advances

Immunization
Protect Yourself from Bloodborne
Pathogens
Use required equipment and labels for your job.
These may include:
Biological safety cabinets
- which help protect lab workers from airborne
particles.
Autoclaves
- for sterilizing equipment.
Special tools
- such as needles designed to help prevent
needle-stick injuries.
Protect Yourself from Bloodborne
Pathogens
Special containers
Biohazard labels
for potentially contaminated materials.
These include:

used sharps (needles, broken
glass or any object that can
pierce the skin)

other regulated wastes (gloves
contaminated with blood or other
body substances, used dressings,
etc.)

contaminated laundry.
which display the biohazard symbol with the word
BIOHAZARD. (Red bags or containers may be used in
place of labels.)
Use required personal protective
equipment (PPE).

Wear gloves
if contact with blood, other body substances or contaminated objects is possible.
* Never reuse disposable latex or nylon gloves.

Wash your hands
before putting on and after removing gloves.

Examine gloves
for tears, cracks and tiny holes before and during use. Replace damaged gloves as soon as
possible.

Remove gloves
so that the glove’s outer surface never touches your skin.
1. Grasp the outside of a glove near the wrist
2. Pull down until the glove comes off inside-out
3. Cup this glove in the palm of your gloved hand. Then, insert 2 fingers of your
bare hand inside the cuff of the remaining glove.
4. Pull down so this glove also comes off inside-out -- with the first glove tucked inside.
Wear other PPEs as needed:



Wear a mask and eye protection, or a full face shield, if fluids could splash or
spray into your eyes, nose or mouth.
Wear an apron or a gown if fluids could splash or drip onto your clothing. If
fluid penetrates the apron or gown, change it as soon as possible.
Wear other PPE, such as a cap, a hood and shoe coverings, when exposure to
a lot of fluids is possible (such as during surgery, autopsy or embalming).
Use a resuscitation device
or pocket resuscitation mask when providing rescue breathing.
Remove contaminated PPE
and other contaminated clothing carefully—while wearing gloves. Remember to
wash your hands after removing PPE.
Eliminate hazards with proper
housekeeping.
Don’t touch broken glass
-
Pick it up with tongs, or use a broom
and dustpan.
Dispose of sharps
in a covered, puncture-resistant,
leakproof container that is red or
labeled with the biohazard symbol.
Place other contaminated
wastes
(linens, gloves, etc.) in a leakproof
container or bag that is red or
labeled with the biohazard symbol.
(Bag linens where they were used.)
If the outside of the container or bag
becomes contaminated, place it in a
second container or bag.
Never reach into trash
to retrieve an object.
Report full sharps containers and
waste containers
see that they’re covered, removed and
replaced.
Clean equipment
and work surfaces at the end of your shift, as
well as when visibly contaminated. Wear
gloves. Use approved disinfectant towelettes.
In the Event of BBP Exposure:

Immediate first aid to site


Soap and water for wound and skin exposures (no back
bleeding)
Flush with water for mucous membrane exposures

Phone Infection Control / Employee Health to
report incident

Fill out facility incident occurrence report
In the Event of BBP Exposure:

Draw 3 tubes of blood from source

Clearly mark blood tubes “ for needlestick
investigation”

Take blood to Lab

Notify AMAET Human Resources Manager
Summary

Occupational exposures are crisis situations
demanding immediate, decisive action.
Tuberculosis Control Plan

Annual TB skin test

Annual health questionnaire if previously +
● Employer has Exposure Control Plan
● Respirator fit testing is available and is
provided by facility
OSHA Might Ask…….

Does your employer have an Exposure Control Plan?
Yes, AMAET has an Exposure Control Plan.

Where is it?
It can be found in the hospital anesthesia lounge, in the AMAET
office, or online at AMAET.com

Are you provided with protected sharps / safer sharps
products?
Yes, our facilities provide us with the necessary safe products.

Do you utilize them?
OSHA Might Ask…….

Does anyone monitor your usage of PPE?
Our facilities monitor our PPE usage.

How do you get new / replacement PPE?
Simply by requesting new PPE at our facility.
OSHA Might Ask…….

Did you receive training by your employer on
the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard?
By reviewing this online module and
completing the test, you have received
training regarding BBP Standards.
Important Contact Numbers
St. Mary’s:
Stephanie Brooks 545-7592 or 631-1748
Gail Beeler 545-8642
St. Mary’s ASC:
Fort Sanders:
Parkwest:
TVEC:
Fort Sanders West:
GIA:
Parkwest Surgery Center:
Physician’s Surgery Center:
Bridgette Welch 545-3700
Norma Sundberg 541-4921
Trish Chaloux 373-1940
Kathy Brock or Susan Sams 251-0338
Erma Morgan 531-5048
Gayle Mahan
Mary Horton 531-0494
Sally Dargan 522-2949
Hand Hygiene

Wash hands!!!!!

Wash hands some more!!!!!
Finished…Almost
Now that you have finished the AMAET
Bloodborne Pathogen and OSHA Update,
you must click below and take the 10
question test.
OSHA Test