Blood Borne Pathogens
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• BBP General Policies and Procedures
AIDS and other blood-borne pathogens such as Hepatitis B and C are deadly diseases that are present in today’s society. All blood-borne pathogens are transmitted in blood and other bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid, and urine. It is not known if these diseases are carried in tears, saliva, sweat, or emesis (vomit). Since the direct modes of transmission are not entirely known, we must treat any bodily fluid like it contains any of these diseases.
BLOOD BORNE PATHOGENS ARE SPREAD IN A NUMBER OF WAYS
1. Direct sexual contact such as oral, anal, or vaginal; they can also be spread through small cuts or sores.
2. Direct contact with blood and other bodily fluids
3. Direct contact with open wounds that contain blood or other bodily fluids
4. Sharing needles; such as IV drug users and needles used to puncture blisters or other medical procedures
5. An HIV infected woman can pass the disease to her baby during birth and from breast-feeding.
Since we, as athletics trainers, deal with many different types of people and conditions, we need to be aware of and institute policies and procedures for the handling of blood-borne pathogens and open wounds. Athletic Trainers are exposed to a number of open wounds and need to be educated on how to protect both themselves and the athletes from contacting any of these diseases.
Any person or athlete could be infected with HIV or Hepatitis and we would not know. The same goes for Athletic Trainers. We must treat every open wound on every athlete/person like it carries blood-borne pathogens. Consistency is the key.
The following universal precautions should be observed:
1. The use of barrier precautions to prevent skin and mucous membrane exposure when contact with bodily fluids are anticipated.
a. Gloves are to be worn when treating, or when in contact with any blood, body fluid, or mucous membrane
b. Gloves are to be worn when handling items or surfaces that have come in contact with blood or body fluids
2. Hands and all skin surfaces that come into contact with blood or other body fluids should be washed thoroughly. Hands should also be washed after glove removal.
3. Precautions should be taken to prevent injuries caused by needles, scalpels, or other sharp instruments. Needles should not be recapped, broken, or bent by hand.
4. Surfaces contaminated with blood or body fluids should be cleaned with a solution made to kill bacteria, fungus and viruses- including HIV
5. Although saliva has not been implicated in HIV transmission, to minimize the need for emergency mouth-to-mouth resuscitation; mouthpieces, resuscitation bags, or other ventilation devices should be available for use.
6. Health care workers who have exudate or weeping lesions should refrain from all direct patient contact
7. Blood or body fluid soiled linens should be bagged and washed in hot water and detergent