01 Feb Infectious Disease & First Aid Treatment

Infectious Disease & First Aid Treatment

When providing first aid to an injured coworker, your first concern may be helping that person as quickly as possible. However, you must also protect yourself from exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other potentially infectious materials.

Blood can carry infectious organisms such as Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). A person may carry a bloodborne infection without showing symptoms or knowing they are infected.

For this reason, treat all blood and other potentially infectious materials as though they are infectious and use appropriate precautions whenever providing first aid.

Protect Yourself Before Providing First Aid

Whenever blood or other potentially infectious materials may be present:

• Put on disposable medical examination gloves before providing care.
• Cover cuts, abrasions, or broken skin on your hands before providing assistance.
• Wear eye and face protection when splashing or spraying of blood or body fluids is reasonably anticipated.
• Use a CPR barrier device or resuscitation mask equipped with a one-way valve when providing rescue breaths, when available.
• Never reuse disposable gloves or other single-use protective equipment.
• Remove contaminated PPE carefully to avoid contacting blood or contaminated surfaces.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after removing gloves.

If handwashing facilities are not immediately available, use an appropriate antiseptic hand cleanser or towelettes and wash with soap and running water as soon as possible.

First Aid Supplies

First aid and bloodborne-pathogen response supplies should be readily accessible and appropriate for anticipated workplace exposures. Depending on workplace hazards, supplies may include:

• Disposable medical examination gloves.
• Safety goggles or other appropriate eye protection.
• Face shields or masks when splash protection is necessary.
• CPR barrier devices.
• Absorbent materials.
• Appropriate disinfectant.
• Biohazard bags or other suitable containers for contaminated materials.

Employees should know where these supplies are located before an emergency occurs.

Handling Blood and Contaminated Materials

Avoid direct contact with blood whenever possible.

Contaminated bandages, absorbent materials, disposable PPE, and other waste must be handled and disposed of according to the company’s Exposure Control Plan and applicable requirements.

Never pick up contaminated broken glass directly with your hands. Use mechanical means such as tongs, forceps, a brush and dustpan, or similar equipment.

Reusable equipment that becomes contaminated must be properly cleaned and decontaminated before it is returned to service.

Cleaning Blood Spills

Blood spills should be cleaned promptly by employees who are trained and equipped to perform the task.

• Restrict access to the contaminated area when necessary.
• Wear appropriate PPE.
• Remove visible blood and contaminated materials safely.
• Clean and decontaminate affected surfaces with an appropriate disinfectant according to the product instructions and company procedures.
• Dispose of contaminated cleanup materials properly.
• Remove PPE carefully and wash your hands afterward.

Do not rely on a single homemade bleach concentration for every situation. Use an EPA-registered disinfectant effective against bloodborne pathogens or an appropriate freshly prepared bleach solution in accordance with established procedures and product instructions.

If an Exposure Occurs

An occupational exposure can include a needlestick or other puncture, blood contacting the eyes, nose, or mouth, or blood contacting non-intact skin.

If exposure occurs:

1. Wash needlesticks, cuts, and exposed skin immediately with soap and water.
2. Flush the eyes, nose, mouth, or other mucous membranes with water immediately.
3. Report the exposure to your supervisor immediately.
4. Obtain the required confidential medical evaluation and follow-up as soon as possible.
5. Follow the company’s Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan.

Do not wait for symptoms before reporting an exposure. Prompt medical evaluation can be important in determining appropriate post-exposure treatment.

Training and Designated Responders

Employees who are designated or expected as part of their job duties to provide first aid or otherwise have reasonably anticipated occupational exposure to blood must receive appropriate bloodborne pathogens training and protection.

Employees should understand:

• How bloodborne pathogens are transmitted.
• How to recognize potential exposure situations.
• What PPE to use and how to remove it safely.
• Proper cleanup and disposal procedures.
• What to do following an occupational exposure.
• How to obtain additional assistance during an emergency.

Remember

Protect yourself while helping others. Treat blood and other potentially infectious materials as potentially infectious, use appropriate PPE, avoid direct contact, and immediately report any occupational exposure.