UNIVERSAL/STANDARD PRECAUTIONS BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

Michigan Department of Community Health Bureau of Laboratories

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What is Universal Precautions?

OSHAs required method of control to protect employees from exposure to all human blood and other potentially infectious materials.

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Observing Universal Precautions means you consider all human blood and certain human fluids infectious for all bloodborne pathogens.

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Universal Precautions (continued)

Perform all tasks using safe work practices Use appropriate personal protective equipment. Use engineering controls

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Most Common Route of Exposure

Sharps
Lancets Broken Glass Needles

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The bloodborne pathogens that pose the most serious health risks
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Hepatitis C virus (HCV) Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

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Bloodborne Pathogens (continued)

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all health care workers No FDA approved vaccine exists to prevent HCV or HIV infection

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Who is at risk for sharps injury?

Workers performing fingersticks Lab workers Housekeepers/janitorial staff Medical waste contractor

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Work practices that increase the risk of a sharps injury

Recapping needles Transferring a body fluid between containers Opening blood tubes Failing to dispose of used sharps properly in a puncture-proof sharps container

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How can you I protect myself from occupational exposure to blood and sharps injuries?
Assume all blood and body fluids to be infectious Always use safe work practices, required PPE, and safety devices Do not eat, drink or apply cosmetics in the work area Avoid the use of needles and lancets if safe and effective alternatives are available

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Protect Yourself (continued)

Help your employer select and evaluate devices with safety features that reduce the risk of sharps injuries Use devices with safety features provided by your employer Plan for safe handling and disposal of any sharps and other infectious waste before using them

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Protect Yourself (continued)

Promptly dispose of used sharps in appropriate sharps disposal containers Report all occupational exposures promptly to ensure that you receive appropriate follow-up care Tell your employer about real or potential hazards you observe Participate in training related to infection prevention Get a Hepatitis B vaccination

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Safe Work Habits for HIV Testing Providers

Use disposal gloves and change gloves after contact with each client Wash hands and other skin surfaces immediately and thoroughly if contaminated with blood Place contaminated sharps after use in a sharps container

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Safe Work Habits (continued)

Place all contaminated waste in an appropriately labeled container and transport in a leak proof, puncture-proof outer container Disinfect all work surfaces and items before and after testing with 10% bleach solution or EPA approved disinfect

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Handling Occupational Exposures

Employee should immediately report the expose to a supervisor Immediately wash skin with soap and water Apply first aid to the wound

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Occupational Exposure (continued)

Use Occupational Health Service for immediate treatment and counseling (Employee may decline treatment but must sign a wavier) Collect a baseline serum Source blood tested for HIV/HBV/HCV

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Occupational Exposure (continued)

Written Investigation of exposure Record on sharps injury log and MIOSHA form 300

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Record Keeping Requirements

Written Exposure Control Plan for Bloodborne Pathogens Review Safe Needle Devices Annually Sharps injury Log MIOSHA Form 300 MIOSHA Form 300A

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References
Bloodborne infectious Diseases, MIOSHA, Part 553, R 325.70001-R 325.70018 www.michigan.gov/mioshastandards www.michigan.gov/mdchlab Clinical Laboratory Safety; Approved Guidelines Second Edition, CLSI, GP17-A2

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