Infection Control and Prevention
Infection Control Principles and Practices for Local Public Health
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Bloodborne pathogens
Exposure control
Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms that cause disease and are
present in human blood. They include but are not limited to human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C
virus (HCV).
OSHA issued the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29
CFR Part 1910.1030) (exit DHS) to protect health care workers and
others who come in contact with blood and other potentially infectious
material (OPIM) during their occupational duties. The purpose of the
standard is to prevent occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens and
to reduce the chances of infection when exposure does occur.
This standard requires employers to write and implement an exposure
control plan for employees with occupational exposure to blood and OPIM,
using administrative, engineering, and work practice controls to prevent
or minimize employee exposure.
The exposure control plan must contain at least the following
elements:
- Cleaning/disinfection of contaminated equipment and surfaces
- Exposure determination - a list of all job classifications in which
all employees in those classifications have occupational exposure
(example: all employees classified as phlebotomists), or a list
of job classifications in which some employees have occupational
exposure, or a list of all tasks and procedures in which
occupational exposure occurs (example: administering immunizations,
doing finger sticks). Most local public health agencies will
probably not have entire job classifications in which all persons
have occupational exposure, but may have certain personnel with
assigned duties that involve occupational exposure.
- Handling laundry
- Hazard communication
- Hepatitis B vaccination
- Maintenance of sharps injury log
- Post exposure follow-up
- Provision for hand hygiene practices
- Safe management and disposal of sharps
- Standard precautions—set of practices used with ALL clients to
prevent contact with blood and OPIM
- Use of personal protective equipment
- Use of sharps with safety devices (Needlestick
Safety and Prevention Act) (exit DHS)
- Waste management
- Work practices that reduce or eliminate exposure to blood and
OPIM
(example: no eating, drinking in potentially contaminated areas,
using leak-proof containers for specimen storage)
More Resources
For Infection Control Information
Gwen Borlaug Infection Control Epidemiologist
WI Division of Public Health
Bureau of Communicable Diseases
608-267-7711 Phone
608-261-4976 Fax
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Last Revised: June 29, 2011 |