Over the past decade there are a number of rare diseases and illnesses that have cropped up. Some of them are so rare that they don't even have any treatments. There are a plethora of diseases we don't pay too much attention to; one of them being bloodborne pathogens. A pathogen is basically a virus or a germ hence a bloodborne pathogen is a virus or a germ that originates from blood. They spread through bodily fluids such blood and vaginal secretions. An accidental prick by broken glass or a needle could leave you in a huge risk of contracting the disease.
If you work in an environment that requires you to be around blood or any such bodily fluids, there are a few preventive measures you can take. There are already strict guidelines that any medical unit adopts. Make sure you abide by them, and keep in mind the below mentioned points too.
• Treat all bodily fluids as if they are infected. This ensures you take preventive steps while handling these fluids, so as not to get infected.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): This includes surgical gloves, gowns, headgear and masks. You need to make sure none of these are torn, punctured or dirty. In case they are, discard them immediately. Once you finish handling the bodily fluids, remove all the PPE and then exit the area. Make sure clean and used PPE is labeled correctly, do not mix them, ever.
- In case of gloves, make sure they are not thin or flimsy. If you feel they are thin wear a double layer and inform your superior about it. While removing your gloves, make sure bare skin does not touch the area exposed to the fluids. Discard responsibly.
- Aprons and gowns need to be used to make sure none of these fluids touch your clothing or your skin.
- Goggles: Wear them if you feel there could be a splash or vaporization. Bloodborne pathogens can be transmitted via thin membranes of the eye too.
- Face shield: Wear it to essentially cover your mouth and nose.
• Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly, before and after coming in contact with these fluids. Use an antibacterial soap that is soft on your skin.
• Don't ever eat, drink, smoke, apply cosmetics or handle contact lenses while you are around an area that could be carrying these infections.
• Any equipment that has been used or contaminated by bodily fluids must be sterilized and decontaminated immediately. They cannot be used anywhere else.
• Broken glass needs to be immediately discarded. Do not touch it with bare hands under any circumstances.
• Needles are one of the easiest ways where blood borne pathogens spread. Use new needles only, do not use them in case its packaging is tampered with. After use, discard needles in a specific way that they are not touched by anyone else. Make sure you use forceps or pliers to handle needles.
A small error in judgment could mean a prick of a needle or a glass piece proving fatal for someone. Make sure you are extra cautious while handling such fluids. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Best Blogs of WorldIf you work in an environment that requires you to be around blood or any such bodily fluids, there are a few preventive measures you can take. There are already strict guidelines that any medical unit adopts. Make sure you abide by them, and keep in mind the below mentioned points too.
• Treat all bodily fluids as if they are infected. This ensures you take preventive steps while handling these fluids, so as not to get infected.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): This includes surgical gloves, gowns, headgear and masks. You need to make sure none of these are torn, punctured or dirty. In case they are, discard them immediately. Once you finish handling the bodily fluids, remove all the PPE and then exit the area. Make sure clean and used PPE is labeled correctly, do not mix them, ever.
- In case of gloves, make sure they are not thin or flimsy. If you feel they are thin wear a double layer and inform your superior about it. While removing your gloves, make sure bare skin does not touch the area exposed to the fluids. Discard responsibly.
- Aprons and gowns need to be used to make sure none of these fluids touch your clothing or your skin.
- Goggles: Wear them if you feel there could be a splash or vaporization. Bloodborne pathogens can be transmitted via thin membranes of the eye too.
- Face shield: Wear it to essentially cover your mouth and nose.
• Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly, before and after coming in contact with these fluids. Use an antibacterial soap that is soft on your skin.
• Don't ever eat, drink, smoke, apply cosmetics or handle contact lenses while you are around an area that could be carrying these infections.
• Any equipment that has been used or contaminated by bodily fluids must be sterilized and decontaminated immediately. They cannot be used anywhere else.
• Broken glass needs to be immediately discarded. Do not touch it with bare hands under any circumstances.
• Needles are one of the easiest ways where blood borne pathogens spread. Use new needles only, do not use them in case its packaging is tampered with. After use, discard needles in a specific way that they are not touched by anyone else. Make sure you use forceps or pliers to handle needles.
A small error in judgment could mean a prick of a needle or a glass piece proving fatal for someone. Make sure you are extra cautious while handling such fluids. It is better to be safe than sorry.
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