Bloodborne diseases

As a nursing assistant, you will come in contact with clients that have serious bloodborne diseases. You have to learn about these diseases, how they can be transmitted, and what you can do to protect yourself at work.

A bloodborne disease is an infection that is transmitted from an infected person to a non-infected person via the blood or other body fluids such as urine, feces, vomitus, saliva, sweat, semen, vaginal fluids, breast milk, and amniotic fluid.

In the healthcare environment, transmission can occur via accidental needlesticks and cuts from broken glass items such as blood tubes.

They can also be transmitted due to direct contact of infected fluids with open skin lesions (like cuts and sores) or with the mouth, the nose, and the eyes.

Outside of the workplace, they can also be contracted via intravenous drug abuse, unprotected sex, via the placenta from a pregnant person to the fetus, or through blood transfusions.

Alright, now the most common bloodborne pathogens are human immunodeficiency virus (or HIV), viral hepatitis, malaria, syphilis, and Ebola.

Of the common bloodborne diseases, the most important ones to know are HIV and viral hepatitis because they pose the biggest threat for U.S.

healthcare workers. HIV is a virus that targets the cells of the immune system.

Over time, the immune system begins to fail and this increases the risk of infections and tumors that a healthy immune system would otherwise be able to fend off.

These complications are referred to as AIDS (or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Now, the acute HIV infection typically presents with flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, and fatigue.

In response, the immune system mounts a counterattack. It starts to control the infection, and the person enters the chronic phase, or latent phase, which can last between 2 and 10 years.

At this point, the individual could still transmit the virus, but they are usually asymptomatic and can still fight off other infections fairly well.

However, the virus is steadily chipping away at the immune system as they multiply in the body. As more immune cells are lost, the immune system becomes severely compromised, and the condition has progressed from HIV infection to AIDS.

At this point, the person can experience things like persistent fever, fatigue, weight loss, and diarrhea. Infections will also become more frequent, and they’ll often get recurrent bacterial pneumonia or fungal infections.

Finally, certain malignancies like cervical cancer are more likely to develop. Moving on to viral hepatitis, which is an inflammation of the liver caused by one of the hepatitis viruses.

There are five of these: A, B, C, D, and E. Of these, B, C, and D are considered bloodborne pathogens.

Hepatitis D virus is unique in that it can only infect people that also have hepatitis B virus. Viral hepatitis also has an acute phase and a chronic phase.

In the acute phase, the person will have classic symptoms like fever, fatigue, nausea, and jaundice, which is the yellowing of the skin and the white of the eyes.

The liver might be enlarged, and this is called hepatomegaly. In the chronic phase, the person might be asymptomatic, but the liver is still being damaged.

Over time, when enough of the liver is destroyed, liver failure occurs. Chronic viral hepatitis also increases the risk of liver cancer.

Alright, now as a healthcare worker, you must take some actions to ensure your safety from bloodborne diseases at work. There are some standard precautions that you have to follow when caring for a client.

Keep in mind that there are many cases where bloodborne pathogens do not cause any signs or symptoms, and an individual can be infected without knowing it.

That’s why you must treat every client as if they have a bloodborne disease. The most important standard precaution is regular hand washing.

Another standard precaution is wearing personal protective equipment (or PPE) such as gloves, a gown, and a mask. Also, dispose of sharp instruments such as needles, lancets, broken glass objects, or razors in special containers.

Keep in mind that for standard precautions to be effective, they must be used consistently for each client.Alright, the healthcare facility you work for must follow certain standards to protect the health care team.

These standards are created by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, (or OSHA) and are called the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.

First, health care workers must be adequately trained regarding the risks of bloodborne infections, how they can protect themselves, as well as what actions must be taken in case of an exposure.

The training should be updated yearly and proof of training has to be kept in the employee’s records. Next, the facility is responsible to provide all healthcare workers with the appropriate PPE.

But remember, it’s the employee’s duty to use them correctly and consistently with each client. In addition, all employees should be offered a free hepatitis B vaccine when they’re hired.

In case an employee refuses the vaccine, a signed statement indicating the employee’s refusal of the vaccine must be kept in their records.

Also, in place of vaccination, a titer can be drawn to check if they’re already immune to the virus. Next, healthcare facilities are responsible for maintaining a clean environment with well-functioning ventilation systems, disposal containers for sharp objects, and special procedures for handling contaminated items such as soiled bed sheets.

They must also meet OSHA’s standards regarding housekeeping and cleaning schedules. Finally, in case a healthcare worker is accidentally exposed to the client’s blood or body fluids, they must have an exposure control plan outlining what must be done regarding tests and treatment.

This should be updated regularly, and a copy should be given to all healthcare workers. However, keep in mind that it’s the employee’s duty to report the accident.

Now, for any health care facility that is not following the OSHA standards, there are fines and penalties that could include closure of the facility.

All right, as a quick recap… Bloodborne diseases are infections that can be contracted via blood or other body fluids. This can occur both inside and outside of the healthcare environment.

HIV and viral hepatitis pose the greatest risk for healthcare workers. To protect yourself at work, you must follow the standard precautions and treat every client as if they are infected.

In addition, the healthcare facility must follow the OSHA