Bloodborne pathogens can be transmitted when infected blood or OPIM is introduced into the bloodstream of another person. Consequently, any individual who handles or otherwise comes into contact with blood, tissue, or body fluids is at risk for exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
BBP transmission may occur through parenteral exposure (direct transmission through a break in the skin, such as a needle-stick injury), or by contact with a mucous membrane found in the eye, nose or mouth. NOTE: while it is important to mention that BBPs can also be transmitted through sexual contact, this topic falls outside the scope of this course.
Employees who, as part of their job duties, are responsible for rendering First Aid or handle body fluids and/or OPIMs as outlined above are required by OSHA to receive Biosafety training due to the potential risk for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
Occupational Exposure
Healthcare providers and acute care facilities workers are considered to have the highest risk of occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. CDC reports approximately 50 documented workplace sero-conversion cases, most attributed to accidental needle-sticks or exposure to blood through a break in the skin of an infected person.
OSHA defines an exposure incident as “a specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin, parenteral (piercing mucous membranes or the skin barrier through such events as needlesticks, human bites, cuts, and abrasions) contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that result from the performance of an employee’s duties.” In other words, bloodborne pathogens are most commonly transmitted through:
Who’s at risk
Healthcare professionals such as physicians, nurses, dentists, medical students, and laboratory technicians; First-responders such as EMT’s, officers of the peace, firefighters, life guards, flight attendants; Any individual whose job responsibilities include coming into contact with blood or body fluids.