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Blood borne pathogens
A number of professions and work surroundings are closely associated with bloodborne pathogen prevention. First responders, maintenance workers, janitors, housekeeping staff, nurses and other health care professionals can derive advantages by comprehending the dangers and preventive linked to bloodborne pathogen exposures.
Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms present in the blood and have the ability to trigger sicknesses or ailments in humans. Two major bloodborne pathogens are Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis B Virus. They can penetrate the body by means of direct contact with broken skin, different skin conditions like acne, dermatitis, eczema, cuts, scrapes, abrasions, mucous membranes and contact with infected instruments such as razor.
Exposure
- Exposure to bloodborne pathogens can take place while one is working in close contact with those distressed by the virus or even when one is not in direct touch with them.
- Healthcare workers are considered as highly vulnerable to threat of exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
- The needlesticks are not the only means by which individuals can be exposed to the dangers of bloodborne pathogens.
- Exposure to bloodborne pathogens can occur in other forms as well such as providing first aid care, cleaning up after an accident, and standing near a person involved in an accident, or walking through an accident area to offer assistance.
It is imperative to make housekeeping, maintenance and janitorial employees conscious of the potential dangers of bloodborne pathogen exposure by means of training and they should be aware of the surroundings in which they work. These employees may be subjected to the dangers of exposure to bloodborne pathogens while cleaning restrooms and dealing with urine, feces, sanitary napkins, cleaning up after an accident in the workplace and dealing with blood, vomit or other bodily fluid or repairing equipment infected with bodily fluids ,such as cleaning toilets or engaging in equipment repairs following an industrial injury.
The consciousness of employees can be greatly increased by correctly labeling biohazard waste bags, containers and contaminated areas. Furthermore, if an emergency necessitates cleanup and removal of blood or other bodily fluids, housekeeping or janitorial staff that are trained in biohazard cleaning should be informed besides first responders and emergency personnel.
A cleanup kit should be made available for employees engaged in the process. The kit should contain at least consist of Latex gloves, Absorbent powder, Cleaning/disinfectant solutions, Face mask, Face shield, Apron, Red biohazard plastic bags that should be double bagged to clear out material.
Some safety measures that should be adopted are as follows.
While dealing with waste gathered from areas containing possible bloodborne pathogens, it is advisable to wear latex or rubber gloves.
It is recommended that one should at all times wash one's hands after dealing with or working around bodily fluids potentially infected with a bloodborne pathogen even after latex gloves have been made use of. One should be conscious of the possibility for bloodborne pathogen infection while removing items like broken glass. If they are not visible to the naked eye it doesn't necessarily imply that they are not there.