Bloodborne Pathogens for Canada
Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms such as viruses or bacteria that, if present in blood, can cause disease in humans. These pathogens can be transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person by contact with infected blood or other bodily fluids. There are a number of relatively simple actions which can be taken to drastically reduce the chance of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Depending on the type of work being done, workplace practices and methods can be modified to minimize the chance of exposure. Proper personal protective equipment is an important component in preventing the transfer of bloodborne pathogens from an infected person to a healthy person.
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Learning Objectives
• Define bloodborne pathogens • List common types of bloodborne pathogens • Describe how bloodborne pathogens are transmitted from one person to another • Describe techniques for transmission prevention • Describe what to do if exposed to a bloodborne pathogen
Specs
| Course Level | Intermediate |
| Languages | English, French |
| Compatibility | Audio, Video |
| Based on: | Industry Standards and Best Practices |
Key Questions
What is a bloodborne pathogen?
Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms such as viruses or bacteria that, if present in blood, can cause disease in humans.
What are the most common bloodborne pathogens?
There are a number of bloodborne pathogens, but the most common blood related illnesses are hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) that leads to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, or AIDS.
How are bloodborne pathogens transmitted?
Bloodborne pathogens live in blood. An uninfected person can be infected if diseased blood, or other bodily fluids containing the pathogen, enter their body through a cut, scrape, or mucous membrane.
Can bloodborne pathogens be transmitted by casual contact?
Bloodborne pathogens cannot be transmitted by casual contact such as shaking hands, touching the same doorknob, or using the same restroom.
What can be done to minimize the transmission of bloodborne pathogens?
In workplaces where the chance of exposure to blood is high, equipment and procedures can be put in place to minimize the risk. The most important thing anyone can do is to wear protective barriers such as rubber gloves and safety goggles to prevent contact of infected blood with your skin.
What should I do if I think I’ve been exposed?
Wash the skin with soap and water; flush area with water for at least 15 minutes; remove all contaminated clothing; report the incident to your supervisor; and get proper medical care.
Are “pinprick” or “needlestick” injuries from medical injections a particular problem?
Yes, they are. People working in health industries should be especially careful.
Are “sharps” used by diabetics and others a concern?
Yes, you could get a bloodborne pathogen from a contaminated sharp. If you use a sharp, always dispose of them properly. And be careful when doing something in an area where a dirty sharp may have been wrongly disposed of, such as in the trash container of a restroom.
Sample Video Transcript
Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms such as viruses or bacteria that, if present in blood, can cause disease in humans. These pathogens can be transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person by contact with infected blood or other bodily fluids. There are a number of relatively simple actions which can be taken to drastically reduce the chance of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Depending on the type of work being done, workplace practices and methods can be modified to minimize the chance of exposure. Proper personal protective equipment is an important component in preventing the transfer of bloodborne pathogens from an infected person to a healthy person. Before covering preventive actions, we will examine the threat of bloodborne pathogens in more detail.
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