Blood borne pathogens are life threatening microorganisms that spread diseases like hepatitis B and AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).

Workers in health care settings, emergency personnel and those who do public safety jobs are more susceptible to get exposed to these pathogens. Exposure to blood borne pathogens may occur in several ways. Any open cuts, break in the skin and sores can give a place for contaminated blood or body fluid to enter your body. The mucous membranes in the eyes, nose and mouth also provide a chance for diseases to enter.

Universal Precautions- Important Things To Know

Universal precautions include a set of precautionary measures designed to protect health care employees and first aiders from blood borne pathogens. Under universal precautions, all blood and body fluids are treated as potentially infectious. Precautions apply to blood, blood products, semen, amniotic fluids, vaginal fluid, cerebrospinal fluid and any other body fluids that contain visible blood. Universal precautions should be followed by employees who handle needles and other sharps. They do not apply to nasal secretions, urine, feces, sweat, urine and vomitus, unless they are visibly contaminated with blood.

Universal precautions include

1. Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment helps reduce your exposure to blood borne pathogens. They may include gowns, gloves, face shields, masks and goggles. Personal protective equipment should be selected, according to the nature of the job. For instance, if you are a lab technician who draws blood, gloves may be enough to protect yourself. Disposable gloves should not be washed or decontaminated for reuse. If you use utility gloves, you can decontaminate them and reuse, as long as their ability to provide effective barrier against blood borne pathogens is compromised.

2. Hand Washing

Universal precautions include proper hand washing. Washing your hands and other exposed skin surfaces thoroughly is important to reduce the risk of infection and transmission. You need to wet your hands with warm water first. Then use soap to wash your hands. Lather your hands front and back and between fingers at least for 15 seconds. Rinse the hands thoroughly and dry them using a clean, dry paper towel.

3. Precautions While Using Sharps

You should exercise caution while handling needles and sharps like scalpels and pipettes. You should place the contaminated needles and sharps in a puncture resistant container for disposal.

If you have come in contact with blood or body fluids, you should report it to your supervisor immediately. You need to provide information like how, when and where the exposure incident occurs. You also need to give the details of the person whose blood or body fluid you came in contact with. You should seek medical attention as soon as possible after the exposure incident. The doctor will test you and determine whether you are infected with blood borne pathogens or not.

Universal precautions help reduce the risk of transmission of blood borne pathogens from know or unknown sources of infections in health care settings. Additional precautionary measures may be needed to protect yourself from health hazards.

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act) and Universal Precautions training helps improve the efficiency and effectiveness of health care system. You can understand HIPAA privacy rules and precautionary measures to reduce the risk of infection.

For more information, please visit our Bloodborne Pathogen Training website.

For more information, please visit our Bloodborne Pathogen Training website http://www.bbpexams.com/bloodborne_pathogen_training.html

Author Bio: For more information, please visit our Bloodborne Pathogen Training website.

Category: Medical Business
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