One of the most important ways to protect healthcare workers is adhering to the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. Healthcare industries should be aware of the necessity of following these guidelines, and healthcare workers should understand how the guidelines protect them.
Defining the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
The Standard is a set of guidelines issued by OSHA that are designed to reduce employee exposure to infectious diseases that can be passed through blood. The primary pathogens included by the standard include hepatitis C, hepatitis B and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The guidelines require companies to establish an exposure control plan, annually update their plans, and provide employees with personal protective equipment.
Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act Addition
In 2000, OSHA updated the bloodborne pathogen guidelines with the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act. This act aims to reduce the amount of injuries caused by needles and other sharps in the healthcare industry.
The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act specifically called for the following precautions:
- Keeping a log of sharps-related injuries
- Using sharps that include protections against injury
- Implementing needless injections
Application of OSHA Bloodborne Standards
The standards apply to any healthcare worker who may be expected to come in contact with blood or other bodily fluids. Specifically, the OSHA standards apply to the following:
- Employees working with potentially contaminated medical equipment
- Employees work work in direct contact with patients
- Employees involved in blood samples
Sharp Fluidics is a developer of innovative medical equipment designed to improve surgical safety, and they can be contacted.
