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POLICY MANUAL
WAC
 

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS FIRST AID PROGRAM

Shoreline Community College will provide first aid training for a limited number of employees to ensure availability of bloodborne pathogens first aid at all times there are employees and/or students present. Under only limited circumstances are any employees obligated by the College to render bloodborne pathogens first aid assistance. Bloodborne pathogens first aid assistance will be only a voluntary action of the employee, unless otherwise designated.

Prevention of exposure to employees and students will be accomplished by the following:

This program intended to apply to employees who perform infrequent, voluntary, good samaritan first aid activities. These activities, described as incidental encounters or contacts, are exempt from the bloodborne pathogens regulation. This program is also intended to apply to employees and students who may have unanticipated, potential occupational exposures to blood or other potentially infectious body fluids or materials.

Bloodborne diseases are spread from human to human when blood or OPIM from an infected person enters the blood of another. This can occur from injection through the skin, through non-intact skin (cuts, abrasions, chapping), through mucus membranes, mouth or eyes. Infected persons commonly do not know they are infected during periods when they are highly infectious to others. Any blood or OPIM will be handled as if it were infectious. Disease specific information is attached.

Individual departments may have supplemental protocols required by WISHA and/or other regulatory bodies.

DEFINITIONS:

"Bloodborne Pathogens" means pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

"Blood" means human blood, human blood components, and products made from human blood.

"Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM)" means the following body fluids: semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, body tissue and other body fluids visibly contaminated with blood, and body fluids where it is difficult to differentiate between body fluids.

"Contaminated" means the presence or the reasonably anticipated presence of blood or OPIM on an item or surface.

"Contaminated Sharps" means any contaminated object that can penetrate the skin including, but not limited to, hypodermic needles, broken glass, and sharp or ragged edges.

"Disinfect" means the use of a chemical to inactivate or destroy bloodborne pathogens on a surface or item.

"Universal Precautions" means that all blood and OPIM are treated as if they are infectious with bloodborne pathogens.

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION:

Signs and Labels: Signs and warning labels will be placed on containers of regulated waste, refrigerators containing blood or other potentially infectious materials, and other containers used to store or transport blood or infectious materials. The label will be a fluorescent orange or orange-red biohazard label with lettering in a contrasting color.

All Shoreline Community College employees and students must take precautions to prevent injuries caused by needlesticks, sharp blades, or other sharp instruments or devices. Any direct exposure to blood or body fluids occurring on campus must be reported immediately to the lab/clinic instructor, the immediate supervisor and/or Campus Safety/Security. An incident report for all known exposures to blood and/or body fluids must be filled out and submitted to the Campus Safety/Security Office within forty-eight (48) hours of the incident.

Shoreline Community College
Safety & Security Department
Building 5000, Room 5102
(206) 546-4633
or cellular phone 206-235-5860, 206-235-5861

Hazardous Procedures or Items:

Employees or Job Positions:

WORK PRACTICES:

Any blood or OPIM will be handled as if it were infectious (universal precautions).

First Aid Kits:

All first aid kits will be equipped with the following:

First Aid Incidents:

Contaminated Item Procedure:

Needlesticks and Cut Prevention Procedure:

Exposure to Blood or Body Fluids Procedure:

For wounds/needlesticks:

For mucous membrane splash:

For skin contamination:

REPORTING:

Incident Report for Blood or Body Fluid Exposure Procedure:

1.    Exposures meeting the following criteria must be reported immediately to the lab/clinic instructor, the immediate supervisor and/or Campus Safety/Security:

a. parenteral exposure to blood or body fluids by needlestick or contamination of an open wound,
b. mucous membrane exposure to blood or body fluids, or
c. prolonged contact with blood.

2.    Exposures must be reported to the Campus Safety/Security Office on an Incident Report form within forty-eight (48) hours after the incident. A copy of any investigative report or action shall also be provided within the same timeframe.

3.    The individual exposed should receive treatment, evaluation, and counseling by their own health care provider.

4.    All known exposure shall be investigated by: 1) the lab/clinic instructor, or 2) the respective Division Chair or Department Head and 3) the Campus Safety/Security Office to establish the conditions surrounding the exposure and to improve training, teaching practices, safety conditions and protective equipment to prevent a recurrence.

5.    The Incident Report relative to blood and body fluid exposure shall be kept confidential to protect the privacy of the injured. Only those persons with a need-to-know basis will be permitted access to such incident reports.

6.    A supply of Incident Report forms will be kept in the labs/clinics and in the Campus Safety/Security Office.

Post-Exposure Evaluation and Follow-up Procedures:

1. Source individual should be informed of the incident and asked to allow blood draw and testing for bloodborne infections. If the source individual agrees, counseling, blood drawing and testing will be at College expense. Whether or not the source individual agrees to testing, s/he will receive, in writing, a post-exposure evaluation and follow-up procedure recommendations from the College.

2. Exposed individual should be directed to a health care provider for counseling and testing, as appropriate, for bloodborne pathogens.

3. The College will provide the health care provider with copies of the exposure Incident Report and relevant health records of the individual, at the written request of the employee. Additionally, the College will provide available information about the source individual to the health care provider.

4. Post-exposure prophylaxis (measures designed to preserve health and prevent the spread of disease) recommended by the Center for Disease Control and the health care provider should be completed.

5. Costs for employee care are covered as a job-related injury, and any required "out-of-pocket" expenses incident to seeking medical coverage will be reimbursed at College expense.

1. Source individual should be informed of the incident and asked to allow blood draw and testing for bloodborne infections. If the source individual agrees, counseling, blood drawing and testing would be by a health care professional at the student’s expense. Whether or not the source individual agrees to testing, s/he will receive, in writing, a post-exposure evaluation and recommendations for follow-up procedures from the College.

2. Exposed individual should be directed to a health care provider for counseling and testing, as appropriate, for bloodborne pathogens.

3. The College will provide the health care provider with copies of the exposure Incident Report and relevant health records of the student, upon written request of the student. Additionally, the College will provide available information about the source individual to the health care provider.

4. Post-exposure prophylaxis recommended by the Center for Disease Control and the health care provider should be completed.

5. Costs for student care are the responsibility of the student.

Last modified: August 02, 2007