GeneralBloodborne Pathogens Protection: 5 Things To Know

If you’re a healthcare worker, public safety personnel, or an emergency response team member, you are more likely to get infected with an infectious disease. It can be due to specific bloodborne pathogens that serve as leading mediums of transferring contagious diseases and causing death.

Because of this, it’s essential to protect yourself against these pathogens to avoid serious health issues later on. It would be best to avoid contact with blood and other body fluids to protect against these microorganisms.

However, if you’re a new healthcare worker, below are the five things to know about bloodborne pathogens protection:

1. You Should Educate Yourself About Bloodborne Pathogens

It is the first thing you must learn about bloodborne pathogen protection. When you’re familiar with what these pathogens are all about, you’ll know how to safeguard yourself and your family from these disease-causing materials, along with airborne pathogens in the world.

Essentially, bloodborne pathogens are contagious microorganisms in the blood and can cause certain diseases. Some common examples of these pathogens consist of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV or known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

In most cases, bloodborne pathogens are transmitted through the blood and other body fluids in the following manner:

• When the body fluids of an infected individual enter into your body through direct contact, including sexual intercourse;
• When you inhale the air exhaled by an infected person through coughing or sneezing;
• When a pathogen-carrying insect perforates your skin and transmits the pathogens;
• When you come into contact with pathogens through tools used by an infected person;

2. Enrolling In Bloodborne Pathogens Training Is Important To Maximize Protection

You should know that enrolling yourself in bloodborne pathogens training is crucial to ensure optimal protection. If you’re working in hospitals, medical offices, funeral homes, nursing homes, and other related offices, you’re likely exposed to bloodborne pathogens. Hence, when this happens, you should get training now to obtain accurate information about  keeping yourself and your family safe against these infectious materials.

With training in place, you’ll also learn to properly deal with any infection or disease caused by pathogens.  For example, the training will provide you with all the information you need to handle contaminated objects and people at work. Remember, the well-trained you are, the better you can protect yourself and the people around you.

3. Wearing Proper Personal Protective Equipment Can Protect You Against Bloodborne Pathogens

When it comes to safeguarding yourself against bloodborne pathogens, wearing proper personal protective equipment would make a lot of sense. It means you should use it when doing activities that could expose you to disease-causing microorganisms.

The following are the clothing and equipment you should wear from the get-go:

• Gowns And Gloves

Using these materials can shield your hands and skin against any form of contact with blood and other body fluids.

• Mask

This should be worn when performing tasks like mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Make sure the mask you’re using can prevent contact with infectious body fluids released during the resuscitation and other related jobs.

• Eye-Protection And Face Shield

These devices can help safeguard yourself against contact with blood that may enter through the eyes, mouth, and nose.

4. Handwashing And Sanitization Protocols Should Be Observed

As part of your bloodborne pathogens protection efforts, handwashing and sanitization measures should be followed at all times. Since you’re likely exposed to contagious materials, you need to practice handwashing to protect against pathogens. Make it a habit, especially if you’re involved in an industry where exposure to infectious blood or body fluids is high.

When washing your hands, it’s best to use anti-bacterial soap before, during, or after dealing with contaminated objects and people. If there’s no soap, you can use hand sanitizer as alternative protection against bloodborne pathogens.

Aside from handwashing, you should also find time to disinfect all your equipment. Be sure to do it before and after getting into contact with a potential pathogen carrier. That way, you can rest knowing your equipment isn’t contaminated at all.

5. Proper Disposal Of Contaminated Materials Is Also An Important Aspect Of Bloodborne Pathogens Protection

If you’re in contact with infectious objects and people, you should also know how to properly dispose of certain materials, such as your  protective equipment, to avoid getting infected. So, if you’re working as a healthcare worker, it’s best to keep in mind the following safe disposal practices:

• Before you leave the premises, ensure to remove all the clothing and equipment that you believe has contact with bloodborne pathogens and put them in labeled bags;
• Deal with the trash as if it contains infectious materials at all times;
• Make sure all potentially contaminated objects should be disposed of in a color-coded container;
• Clean up spills and broken glass with a brush, dustpan, forceps, and tongs instead of your hands.

Bottom Line 

Bloodborne pathogens can be everywhere, especially if you’re working on healthcare-related premises. You’re even more likely exposed if you come in contact with people or objects potentially contaminated with these deadly microorganisms.

Thus, keep the information mentioned above in mind if you don’t want to infect yourself, your family, and other people with bloodborne pathogens. The more you’re armed with the proper knowledge about protection, the more you can keep everyone safe and healthy.