What is the most common risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens for healthcare workers select the best option?

Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention

Overview

What are bloodborne pathogens?

Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Needlesticks and other sharps-related injuries may expose workers to bloodborne pathogens. Workers in many occupations, including first responders, housekeeping personnel in some industries, nurses and other healthcare personnel, all may be at risk for exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

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Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention
What is the most common risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens for healthcare workers?
What is the most common exposure to bloodborne pathogens?
What is the most common bloodborne pathogen exposure route in the healthcare setting?
Which is the most common means of transmission of bloodborne pathogens to healthcare workers in a work setting?

What can be done to control exposure to bloodborne pathogens?

In order to reduce or eliminate the hazards of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, an employer must implement an exposure control plan for the worksite with details on employee protection measures. The plan must also describe how an employer will use engineering and work practice controls, personal protective clothing and equipment, employee training, medical surveillance, hepatitis B vaccinations, and other provisions as required by OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030). Engineering controls are the primary means of eliminating or minimizing employee exposure and include the use of safer medical devices, such as needleless devices, shielded needle devices, and plastic capillary tubes.

General Guidance

Provides information on the revised standard.

Enforcement

Highlights directives and letters of interpretation related to bloodborne pathogens and needlestick prevention.

Hazard Recognition

Provides references that aid in recognizing workplace hazards associated with bloodborne pathogens.

Evaluating and Controlling Exposure

Provides information for evaluating and controlling bloodborne pathogens and needlestick hazards.

Standards

Bloodborne pathogens and needlesticks are addressed in specific OSHA standards for general industry.

Additional Resources

Provides links and references to additional resources related to bloodborne pathogens and needlestick prevention.

What to do if you are stuck by a needle:

If you are stuck by a needle or other sharp or get blood or other potentially infectious materials in your eyes, nose, mouth, or on broken skin, immediately flood the exposed area with water and clean any wound with soap and water or a skin disinfectant if available. Report this immediately to your employer and seek immediate medical attention.

CDC: Emergency Needlestick Information also provides immediate access to treatment protocols following blood exposures involving HIV, HBV and HCV, including the Clinicians' Post Exposure Prophylaxis Hotline (PEPline) at 1-888-448-4911.

What is the most common risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens for healthcare workers?

Bloodborne pathogens and workplace sharps injuries. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are three of the most common bloodborne pathogens from which health care workers are at risk.

What is the most common exposure to bloodborne pathogens?

Bloodborne pathogens are most commonly transmitted through: Accidental puncture from contaminated needles, broken glass, or other sharps. Contact between broken or damaged skin and infected body fluids. Contact between mucous membranes and infected body fluids. Sexual Contact.

What is the most common bloodborne pathogen exposure route in the healthcare setting?

What is the most common exposure route in the healthcare setting? Bloodborne pathogen transmission in the healthcare setting occurs predominantly by percutaneous or mucosal exposure of health care workers and public safety professionals to infected patients' blood or body fluids.

Which is the most common means of transmission of bloodborne pathogens to healthcare workers in a work setting?

There are a few different ways that bloodborne pathogens can be transmitted. In the workplace, the most common cause of transmission is when an infected person's blood enters another person's bloodstream through an open wound.