Bloodborne

Pathogens

USD 262

Valley Center

Schools

Objectives

• Define bloodborne pathogens (BBPs)

• Identify three most common BBPs

• Describe mode of transmission of

BBPs

• Identify steps to take to reduce risk of

exposure to BBPs

• Describe procedures to follow if an

exposure incident occurs

Exposure Control Plan

The Valley Center Schools Exposure Control Plan

identifies at-risk job classifications.

• Category I includes secretaries; nurses; school first

aid responders and athletic trainers.

• Category II includes principals; assistant principals;

coaches; extra-curricular sponsors; PE, Science, Art,

Drama, FACS, Industrial Technology and pre-school

teachers; aides/para educators who work with

developmentally disabled students; custodians;

maintenance (plumbers); food service workers; bus

drivers who transport developmentally disabled

students and their substitutes.

Employers review annually the exposure control plan,

update when necessary, and document when

accomplished. Annual training will be conducted for all

district employees annually and for all new hires within 30

days.

Copies of this plan can be found in the District Office

and main office/nurse’s office at each school.

Bloodborne Pathogens (BBPs)

Disease-causing organisms found

in the blood or body fluids of an

infected person.

Three most common BBPs:

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

• Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)

• Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

Human Immunodeficiency

Virus (HIV)

• HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus. It is

the virus that can lead to acquired immune deficiency

syndrome, or AIDS. CDC estimates that about 56,000

people in the United States contracted HIV in 2006.

• Primarily spread by having unprotected sexual contact,

sharing needles/syringes used for illicit drug use or being

born to an infected mother.

• Young people aged 13–29 accounted for 39% of all

new HIV infections in 2009.

HIV cannot reproduce outside the human body. It is not

spread by:

Air or water, insects, including mosquitoes, saliva, tears,

or sweat, casual contact like shaking hands or sharing

dishes, closed-mouth or “social” kissing.

Hepatitis B

• Hepatitis B is a contagious liver disease that

results from infection with the Hepatitis B virus.

• Hepatitis B can live on surfaces for 7-10 days

• Hepatitis B is usually transmitted:

-Birth (spread from an infected mother to her baby

during birth).

-Sex with an infected partner.

-Sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection

equipment.

-Sharing items such as razors or toothbrushes

with an infected person.

-Direct contact with the blood or open sores of

an infected person.

-Exposure to blood from needle sticks or

other sharp instruments.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

The best way to prevent Hepatitis B

is by getting vaccinated.

• Recommended for all high risk groups

• Safe vaccination

• 3 shots-initial, 1 month, 6 month

• Life long immunity

Hepatitis C

• Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease

that results from infection with the

Hepatitis C virus.

• There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C.

• Hepatitis C is usually transmitted:

-Sharing needles, syringes, or other

equipment to inject drugs.

-Needle stick injuries in healthcare

settings.

-Being born to a mother who has

Hepatitis C.

Transmission

BBPs at work are

transmitted mostly by:

• A contaminated sharp

puncture the skin

• Contaminated blood

coming into contact with

broken skin or mucous

membranes of eyes,

nose or mouth

Transmission con’t.

How BBPs are NOT spread:

• Through air, like cold or flu.

• Through casual contact.

• Through coughing,

sneezing, kiss on the cheek,

hugs, drinking fountains,

mosquitoes or food.

Universal Precautions

Universal precautions are

practices & procedures that can

help prevent the transmission of

BBPs.

• Consider every person a possible carrier of

a bloodborne pathogen and treat his/her

blood and body fluids as if they were

infected.

• Washing hands with soap and water is the

best way to reduce the number of germs

on them.

Personal Protective

Equipment (PPE)

Equipment that protects you

from contact with blood or other

potentially infectious materials (OPIMs).

• Gloves

• Gowns, aprons, lab coats

• Face shields, protective eyewear

• Masks, mouth pieces, resuscitation bags

PPE con’t. – First Aid

• Every school bus has a first aid

and biohazard kit.

• Every Automatic External

Defibrillator (AED) in the school

has an accessory pouch that

includes gloves and a CPR

mask.

• For minor cuts and scrapes,

encourage the victim to

self-administer first aid.

• For more serious injuries, put

on a pair of gloves, available in

the school nurse’s office, before

you administer first aid.

Cleaning Up

Cleaning up blood or body fluids on surfaces:

• Wear gloves

• Call a custodian - Custodians will use germicidal cleaners which kill bloodbornepathogens (10% bleach solution).

• Carefully cover the spill with paper towels then carefully pour an EPA approved cleansing solution over the area– and leave it for 10 minutes to kill any BBPs.

• Items contaminated with blood should be disposed of in a plastic lined pail. If very large amounts of blood are present, biohazard disposal bags are used (available in the school health office).

Cleaning Up

Disposing of contaminated waste:

• Wear gloves

• Place contaminated items in a leak

proof bag

• Place securely fastened bag in a

plastic lined trash container

• Contaminated waste that would

release blood when compressed,

must be placed in a biohazard bag

and disposed of separate from

regular trash – notify supervisor and

school nurse immediately

• Discard gloves

Cleaning Up

Sports Equipment:

Use an EPA-registered

disinfectant solution to clean and

decontaminate sports items and

equipment that has come in

contact with blood and OPIM.

What to do if Exposed

DON’T PANIC!

• Immediately wash the

affected area with soap and

water

• Flush eyes, nose, mouth with

large amounts of water for 15

minutes.

• Report incident to your school

nurse and principal

• Ensure source of exposure

remains available

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I am not near a sink or running water?

If soap and water are not available,

use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can

quickly reduce the number of germs

on hands in some situations, but

sanitizers do not eliminate all types of

germs.

Since this is only a temporary measure,

wash the area with soap and running water

as soon a possible.

Conclusion

• Your risk of being exposed

to bloodborne pathogens at

school is low.

• Remember to use universal

precautions if you do come

into contact with blood -

treat all as if infected.

Important Contact

Numbers

CONTACT YOUR PRINCIPAL AND SCHOOL NURSE

FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

-Abilene Elem. 316.755.7020

Jami Dessenberger-West Elem. 316.755.7030

-Wheatland Elem. 316.755.7040

Jennifer Shockley-VCIS 316.755.7050

Leslie Bolte-VCMS 316.755.7060

Andrea Boone-VCHS 316.755.7070

Mike Bonner-Asst. Superintendent 316.755.7000