Occupational exposures can occur through needlesticks or cuts from other sharp instruments contaminated with an infected patient's blood (including blood contaminated
saliva
) or through contact of the eye, nose, mouth, or skin with a patient's blood.
Who should you report a bloodborne pathogen exposure?
To file a complaint by phone, report an emergency, or get OSHA advice, assistance, or products, contact your nearest OSHA office under the “U.S. Department of Labor” listing in your phone book, or call us toll-free at
(800) 321-OSHA (6742)
.
How long do you have to report a blood exposure?
highly suspected patient, report your exposure immediately (
within 2 hours
) to Employee Health. Any other exposures to blood and body fluids must be reported within 24 hours. your consent, blood tests, post exposure preventive treatment and follow-up counseling.
What is the protocol if you are exposed to bloodborne pathogens?
What should you do if you're exposed?
Wash needlesticks and cuts with soap and water
. Flush splashes to nose, mouth, or skin with water. Irrigate eyes with clean water, saline, or sterile wash.
What should you do if you are exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials?
If you are stuck by a needle or other sharp or get blood or other potentially infectious materials in your eyes, nose, mouth, or on broken skin, immediately flood
the exposed area with water and clean any wound with soap and water or a skin disinfectant if available
.
Why is it important to immediately report an exposure incident?
Exposure incidents should be reported immediately to the employer since
they can lead to infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV)
, hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or other bloodborne pathogens.
What are the action steps after an incident exposure?
The health-care provider (HCP) will:
Evaluate the exposure incident
. Arrange for testing of employee and source individual (if status is not already known). Notify the employee of results of all testing. Provide counseling and post-exposure prophylaxis.
Why is it important to follow blood exposure?
Follow standard
precautions to help prevent the spread of bloodborne pathogens and other diseases
whenever there is a risk of exposure to blood or other body fluids. These precautions require that all blood and other body fluids be treated as if they are infectious.
Can you get Covid from blood exposure?
It
is unlikely that SARS CoV-2 can be transmitted via exposure to blood
. One similarity between bloodborne pathogens and SARS-CoV-2 is that they can both be transmitted via mucus membrane exposures to the eyes, nose, and/or mouth.
Is feces considered a body fluid?
* Includes human blood, semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, tissue, and organs. Also includes any other human
body fluid
(urine, feces, nasal secretions, vomitus, etc.)
Can you catch a bloodborne disease if an infected person sneezes or coughs on you?
Bloodborne pathogens like Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C
(HCV)
, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are spread by direct contact with infected blood and/or body fluids. These diseases are NOT spread by casual contact (coughing, sneezing, hugging, etc.) or by food or water.
How long do you have to wait before receiving test results from bloodborne pathogen exposure?
The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires medical follow-up for workers who have an exposure incident. Exposures should be reported
within 1 hour
if possible to allow for prompt intervention to reduce the risk of infection. Follow the protocol of your employer.
What are steps to take immediately after an exposure to blood?
- Needle-stick injuries and cuts: Wash affected area with soap and water.
- Splashes to the nose, mouth or skin: Rinse with water for 10 minutes.
- Splashes to the eyes: Proceed to the nearest eyewash station and flush for a minimum of 15 minutes, rolling the eyes left to right and up and down.
What is the first thing you should do if exposed to a patient's blood or bodily fluids?
Wash the area with warm water and soap
. If you are splashed with blood or body fluids and your skin has an open wound, healing sore, or scratch, wash the area well with soap and water. If you are splashed in the eyes, nose or mouth, rinse well with water. If you have been bitten, wash the wound with soap and water.
What should you do if you are exposed to a patient's blood?
- Wash your hands immediately after any exposure to blood or body fluids, even if you wear gloves.
- If you get splashed in the eyes, nose, or mouth, flush with water.
- If you are pricked by a needle (needlestick), contact your doctor right away for further advice.
What should a caregiver do if he she is exposed to the blood of an HBV victim?
- Flush the area on your body that was exposed with warm water, then wash with soap and water. …
- If you have an open wound, squeeze gently to make it bleed, then wash with soap and water.
