We all know how risky the jobs of healthcare workers are. They deal with the sick and the unhealthy. They also handle blood and body fluids of the unhealthy, which may or may not contain very dangerous pathogens.

Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms that transfer Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV from unhealthy and infected bodies into healthy and unsuspecting systems. Doctors, nurses, laboratory personnel, paramedics, workers and janitors in hospitals and healthcare facilities handle human blood and body fluids on daily basis and are, therefore, at a maximum risk of contracting these viruses. They are required to be trained in handling the fluids and understanding how to control the situation in case of emergencies and accidents.

As a part of the training program, they are trained in understanding how potent the diseases are, the precautions to be undertaken to prevent the spread, how to act in case of an exposure and how to keep coworkers and patients safe from the exposure. Read on to find out more about the control systems in place to prevent the spread of diseases and accidental exposure to diseases.

– Administrative Controls

Administrative documentation consists of a list of all those professions and jobs which are at a risk of being infected by bloodborne pathogens, also called the Occupational Exposure. It also outlines the measures and methods to be undertaken by the individuals and the administration to prevent exposure in the workplace. The plan is also called the Exposure Control Plan.

– Standard Precautions

Standard Precautions or the Universal Precautions works on the assumption that “all patients are treated as if they are infected with bloodborne pathogens”. This is makes it mandatory for all the people in the vicinity and in contact to wear protective gear like gloves, gown and other equipment. This is prescribed to be the best measure for preventing the spread of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV.

– Engineering Controls

Instruments and equipment that have been used to remove blood or body fluids from human bodies are considered engineering devices, like needles and syringes. This step deals with safely removing the used or the infected material from the site and disposing it off.

– Work Practice Controls

In case of an accidental exposure, the staff is trained to take care of the situation. The important things would be to get rid of hazards, and the infected person needs to wash himself the prescribed way.

– Personal Protection Equipment

Special clothing like gowns and shields have to be worn by the staff for protection. The equipment has to be safely removed carefully so as to not infect people, and it needs disposed of in the proper manner.

Training is mandatory for all those in the healthcare industry and all those who are required to deal with human body fluids. This training prepares and trains people to become adept at handling fluids; they learn to handle their disposal with care and to act wisely and with caution and discretion in case of accidents. In addition, training teaches them to be careful and teaches to avoid unnecessary accidents.

For more information, please visit our bloodborne pathogens training website.

For more information, please visit our bloodborne pathogens training website http://www.bloodborne-pathogens.com

Author Bio: For more information, please visit our bloodborne pathogens training website.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus ,OSHA,healthcare,microorganisms,Bloodborne Pathogens Training ,Bloodbor