What are Bloodborne Pathogens?

Bloodborne Pathogens are microorganisms, particles, and components in blood which cause infection. There are many different pathogens. This training will discuss just three.

Transmission

Bloodborne pathogens are transmitted when infected blood or other bodily fluids come into contact with other bodily fluids. Bloodborne pathogens can be transmitted by the following human body fluids: semen, vaginal secretions, saliva, any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood, and all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids.

 The most common exposure route is accidental needlesticks. Other exposure routes include contact with cuts and abrasions, open sores, pierced skin, and mucous membranes.

Who is at Risk?

Anyone who comes into contact with another person's bodily fluids may be at risk of contracting a bloodborne pathogen including:

• Nursing Education

• Dental Education

• Custodial Services

• Laundry Workers

• Biology Laboratory Faculty and Staff

• Law Enforcement Personnel

• Firefighters

• Childcare

• Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians

• Anyone providing first-response medical care

• Anyone treating medical wastes

Employees whose jobs may require handling of bodily fluids may have the potential for exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Southern Utah University's Bloodborne Pathogen program provides access to controls, training and free Hepatitis B immunization for those employees who are potentially exposed. Hepatitis B immunization is offered through Cedar City WorkMed.

Prevention

To reduce and eliminate risk of infection please practice the following:

• In many areas on campus there are designated individuals whose responsibility it is to handles bodily fluid clean up. Don't do their job for them.

• Use a Universal Precautions approach. This means that you treat all blood and bodily fluids as if they are contaminated.

• Always use proper PPE around blood and bodily fluids.

• Follow proper cleanup and decontamination procedures including avoiding any actions that may cause little droplets of fluids to become airborne.

• Dispose of all contaminated material in the proper manner. This will often require the use of a biohazard container.

• Wash hands frequently.

  • When handwashing facilities are not available, use an appropriate antiseptic hand cleanser with clean cloth/paper towels, and/or antiseptic wipes. When these measures are taken, hands shall still be washed with soap and water as soon as possible.

• Contaminated needles and other contaminated sharps shall not be bent, recapped, or removed. Shearing or breaking of contaminated needles is prohibited.

• Immediately or as soon as possible after use, contaminated reusable sharps shall be placed in appropriate containers until properly reprocessed.

• Eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics or lip balm, and handling contact lenses are prohibited in work areas where there is a reasonable likelihood of occupational exposure.

• Food and drink shall not be kept in refrigerators, freezers, shelves, cabinets or on countertops or benchtops where blood or other potentially infectious materials are present.

• Specimens of blood or other potentially infectious materials shall be placed in a container which prevents leakage during collection, handling, processing, storage, transport, or shipping.

Decontamination

• When cleaning up surfaces use suitable commercial disinfectant or use a bodily fluid clean-up kit.

• Do an initial wipe up.

• Dispose of all wipes in biohazard containers.

• PPE should be removed and disposed of in biohazard containers.

Additional Resources