What Is BloodBorne Pathogens Training?

Bloodborne  pathogens are microorganisms that exist in the blood stream of a person who is infected with a disease. If you get exposed to these microorganisms and if these pathogens enter your blood through the mucous membrane or through an open cut, you could also  contract a deadly infection. Health care workers  employed in medical facilities and others whose work  involves coming into contact with human blood are at a higher risk of being infected with any of the diseases that these pathogens can cause. The most common diseases are Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which can lead to AIDS, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Most of these diseases have no cure, except for Hepatitis B, which has a preventive measure in the form of a vaccine.

In view of the dangers posed by exposure to Bloodborne  pathogens, it is necessary for all those even remotely connected to health care facilities to be fully trained in all aspects of this possible infection. Even people from other walks of life need to have a basic idea and a fair amount of training so that they can safeguard themselves from the dangers of infection from Bloodborne  pathogens. Many people face unexpected circumstances when they have to help accident victims and in doing so the victim’s blood can infect them. Being aware of the various aspects of prevention and after-care can help them stave off danger.

Bloodborne  pathogens training is merely  the imparting of such knowledge  as can enlighten the trainees regarding the reasons for  the infection, the preventive measures that should be taken and what needs to be done if you do get exposed to this danger.

Dangers Of Being Exposed To Bloodborne  Pathogens

Bloodborne  pathogens can cause the following life-threatening diseases:

• Hepatitis B
• HIV leading to AIDS
• Hepatitis C
• Syphilis

How Can You Get Infected  By Bloodborne  Pathogens?

Bloodborne  pathogens are present in the body and can be transmitted through visible blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and torn or  cracked skin. At the workplace, the transmission of Bloodborne  pathogens can take place through open cuts and nicks, skin abrasions, dermatitis, acne, and mucous membranes of the mouth, eyes or nose. In the case of accidental injury, infection can take place  through a contaminated sharp object like broken glass, sharp metal, needles, knives or exposed ends of orthodontic wires. Indirect transmission can take place if a person touches a contaminated object or surface and then transfers the infection to the mouth, eyes, nose or non-intact skin.

The other circumstances under which a person can get infected with Bloodborne  pathogens include situations when a health worker places a butterfly needle apparatus into someone’s arm for drawing blood and if there is a squirting of blood towards the direction of the face. Besides, the diseases can be transmitted when women, who are at greater risk, use restrooms  and in the process come into contact with infected menstrual products, infected faucets and toilet seats with droplets of blood on them. Caution also needs to be taken while working at the laundry or washing the clothes of other people  as the Bloodborne  pathogens may be present in the mucous, blood, and other bodily fluids left behind on dirty clothing.

Steps To Be Taken For Protection From Infection

Health care workers should receive the Hepatitis B vaccine series of three shots at specified intervals which will build up the body’s immunity to the Hepatitis virus. The most important thing  to remember is that they should treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious and handle them with all precautions. Moreover, they must realize that victims of HIV and HBV come from all age groups, economic classes, and from any place.

Engineering Controls

All regulated waste and towels soaked with blood must be disposed off in appropriate containers and these containers should be labeled with warning labels. The regulated waste items include blood or other potentially infectious material, and items that are caked with dried blood or other potentially infectious material.

Workplace Control

Only fully trained employees should be  assigned the work of first-aid treatment and cleaning up of body fluid spills. Hands and other exposed skin should be washed with anti-bacterial soap immediately after exposure to potentially dangerous blood or other body fluids. Personal hygiene must be maintained by minimizing splashing, spraying, spattering and generating droplets when attending to an injured co-worker or student. Moreover, if there is likelihood of exposure, the health workers should not eat, drink, smoke or apply cosmetics or lip balm, or even wear contact lenses. If blood or potentially infectious materials are kept in refrigerators, freezers, shelves or cabinets, eatables and drinks should not be kept along with them.

Personal Protective Equipment

The most important personal protective item is a pair of gloves that should be appropriate for the task being done. Gloves should be made of water impervious materials such as latex or rubber. Before wearing them, any cuts or sores on the hand should be properly bandaged. The outside of used gloves should never be touched with exposed hands. After removing the gloves, hands should be washed with soap and running water immediately.

Apart from gloves, goggles, face shields and aprons should also be used if there is any risk of splashing or vaporization  resulting in contamination. It is important that professional rescuers and employees of companies who respond to medical emergencies should be provided with protective equipment and be given thorough training on Bloodborne  pathogens.

People who work in the automobiles industry such as tow truck operators, body shop technicians and mechanics are at great risk of being exposed to Bloodborne  pathogens as they might be picking up bloodstained windshields or sit on contaminated seats from wrecked vehicles or they might cut their knuckles or foreheads while repairing vehicles. Sharing tools that are contaminated with blood from previous injuries can also be hazardous. In all such cases, proper personal protective equipment must be provided to the employees.

What To Do If You Are Exposed To Body Fluids

If you find that you have come in contact with the blood or other body fluids of another person, you should act immediately. The exposed area should be washed with non-abrasive, anti-bacterial soap  under running water for up to a minute before rinsing. If blood is splashed in the mucous membranes, the mouth, nose and eyes should be washed for 15 minutes. If there is an emergency in a  commercial area or in an office, the areas contaminated with blood or body fluids should be cleaned with a solution of one part Clorox and eight parts water, after wearing protective equipment. The entire area should be completely flushed, but beware of broken glass, wood or metal splinters. All soiled items must be put in a plastic bag and disposed off in the dumpster.

It is essential that all health care workers, employees of different organizations and all other people should get Bloodborne  pathogens training  to protect themselves.  

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