Bloodborne and Airborne Pathogens Overview

Bloodborne and Airborne Pathogens Overview

• The Standard applies to employees potentially exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM).
• The Standard offers protection to individuals handling blood, blood products, or OPIM.

Key Terminology

• OPIM: Stands for Other Potentially Infectious Materials, includes any fluid potentially contaminated with blood.
• Occupational Exposure: Refers to anticipated contact with blood or OPIM during job duties.

Modes of Transmission

• Bloodborne, Airborne, Vector, Direct Contact, Indirect Contact are the five modes of transmission for pathogens.

Workplace Controls

• Hand washing classified as a Workplace Control, essential for minimizing exposure risks.
• Work practice controls alter task performance to reduce exposure likelihood.

Vaccination and Pathogens

• Vaccines available for Hepatitis A and B but not for Hepatitis C.
• Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis, and cancer, and spreads via injections, mucous membranes, sexual activity, and from mother to child during birth.
• Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) typically spreads through drug use with contaminated needles and may also transmit through shared personal items.

Symptoms of Hepatitis

• Common symptoms of HBV include loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, and possible jaundice.
• HCV symptoms encompass fatigue, anxiety, abdominal pain, and jaundice.

Important Terminology

• AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, and HIV represents Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Progression from HIV to AIDS can take a year or more.
• Sharps include items like needles and broken glass that can penetrate skin.

Safety and Compliance

• Warning labels must be displayed on contaminated waste containers, blood storage units, and contaminated equipment.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) includes gloves, masks, and lab coats worn to protect against exposure.

Decontamination vs. Sterilization

• Decontamination involves removing pathogens on surfaces, while sterilization destroys all microbial life.
• Universal Precautions dictate treating all body fluids as potentially infectious, ensuring safety and prevention in handling.

Eye Exposure Protocol

• If blood or OPIM splashes in the eye, flush continuously with water for 20 minutes.

Airborne Pathogens

• Airborne pathogens encompass viral, bacterial, and fungal agents spread through inhalation from an infected person’s respiratory droplets.

Tuberculosis (TB) Insights

• TB virus can survive outside the body for up to 1.5 hours. Symptoms include weight loss, fever, night sweats, and weakness. Treatment requires a combination of antibiotics over 6-12 months.

Infection Prevention Techniques

• Flu prevention strategies include hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, social distancing, and vaccination.

Epidemic vs. Pandemic

• Epidemic refers to a regional outbreak of disease, while a pandemic is a global spread of an epidemic.

Additional Terminology

• Pathogen is a term that denotes any disease-causing agent.
• Engineering controls include safety devices designed to isolate or remove hazardous conditions, such as sharps containers and self-sheathing needles.
• Parenteral refers to any method piercing the skin or mucous membranes that can introduce pathogens.
• OSHA stands for Occupational Safety and Health Administration, responsible for ensuring workplace safety.

Explore the essentials of bloodborne and airborne pathogens with this quiz. It covers key terminology, modes of transmission, workplace controls, and vaccination availability for various pathogens. This quiz is vital for individuals working in environments where exposure risks are present.