BBP 2025

BLOODBORNEPATHOGENS

Gloucester CountyEMS

Bloodborne Pathogens

The nature of our work causes us to be in contact with various body substances

• Blood
• Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM), including:

Any fluid which is impossible to determine if contaminated with blood

Amniotic Fluid

Pleural Fluid

Organs

Peritoneal Fluid

Vaginal Secretions

Pericardial Fluid

Cerebrospinal Fluid

Unfixed Tissue

Semen

Any fluid visibly contaminated with blood

Bloody Saliva

Synovial Fluid

Bloodborne Pathogens

The most common/highest risk of exposure for healthcare workers:

• Hepatitis B (HBV)

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Hepatitis B

• Exposure leads to acute or chronic Hepatitis B infection

• Acute - can resolve on its own

• Chronic - causes long-term effects, can lead to liver cancer, cirrhosis (scarred liver), liver failure

Hepatitis B

• Can take up to 6 months for symptoms to appear

• Symptoms:

Abd. Pain/Swelling

Nausea/Vomiting

Fatigue

Weakness

Fever

Dark Urine

Joint Pain

Light/Clay-Colored Stool

Loss of Appetite

Jaundiced Skin/Eyes

HIV

• Chronic condition
• Affects the body's immune system with no cure

• Progresses to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
• Early detection and treatment advances have led to a nearly normal life expectancy/quality, but not without regular, lifelong medication therapy

HIV

• Can take 2-4 weeks to show symptoms, or initially

none at all

• Early Symptoms:

• Chronic Symptoms:

Flu-Like Symptoms

Lymph Node Swelling Without Pain

Swollen Lymph Nodes

GI Problems

Sores

Increased Infections

Muscle Aches

AIDS

• HIV progresses to AIDS, with worsening

symptoms, including:

Frequent respiratory and systemic infections

Fevers

Sweats

Viral-Caused Cancers

Sores

Chronic Diarrhea

Contamination

• Presence or reasonably anticipated presence of blood/OPIM on an item or surface

Contaminated Sharps (Needles, Scalpels, Broken Glass)

Assessment equipment (BP Cuff, Pulse Ox, Stethoscope)

Treatment Devices (MAD, NPA, OPA)

Patient's Skin

Any collection of blood

Moving Devices

Contamination

• Exercise protective measures when around contaminated surfaces

• All equipment should be decontaminated with supplied products after EVERY patient contact, following listed directions

• From BBP Standard: "Employer shall determine and implement an appropriate written schedule for cleaning and method of decontamination"

Protection

• Protective measures include:

• Engineering Controls

• PPE

• Hand Hygiene

Engineering Controls

• Designed to prevent or isolate hazards

• Sharps Containers (leakproof, puncture-

resistant, closable, labeled)

• Process or Policy
• Mask/Goggles for suctioning, childbirth, or invasive procedures (any risk of eye contamination)
• IN instead of IM naloxone: no needlestick risk
• Picking up broken glass with mechanical means and NOT with hands

• No food or drink storage/consumption, smoking,
• applying cosmetics, changing contacts in work areas

PPE

• Supplied to provide a barrier to infectious materials, to be worn any time contamination or hazards are expected (splashes, sprays, aerosolization, glass/sharp metal)

• Of an appropriate size and provided by the employer

• Gloves - every patient contact

• Gown

• Mask
• Goggles
• Surgical Caps

• Shoe Covers

• Turnout Gear
• Helmets
• Resuscitation Equipment - BVM
• Avoids mouth-to-mouth

Hand Hygiene

• Should be done as soon as reasonably possible after removal of gloves/other PPE
• Also after any exposure incident

• Handwashing with soap/water is most ideal
• Alcohol does not work for every pathogen (ex: C. Diff diarrhea)

• When handwashing is not feasible, use antiseptic hand cleanser or antiseptic towelettes
• Minimum 60% alcohol
• Wash with soap/water as soon as feasible after use

Exposure

• Exposure Incident - specific contact with
• Eye

• Mouth

• Mucus Membrane

• Non-Intact Skin

• "Parenteral Contact" (cuts, abrasions, human bite, needlestick)

• Any of the above resulting from the performance of one's duties

Pre-Exposure Prevention

• Prophylaxis - HBV is easily preventable with a vaccine
• Employers are required to offer at the time of hire at no cost
• Employees may sign a declination, which can be rescinded at any time in the future

• Vaccination must also be offered after an exposure event

Exposure Control Plan

• Available in Aladtec, under the "Storage" tab

• Section 4: GCEMS Policies
• Exposure Control Plan

• "Implemented to promote employee and patient safety in the workplace"
• "Full compliance is expected. Failure to comply will potentially bring injury to patients and EMS staff and will create unnecessary liability for our service"
• "As with other county policies, non-compliance will result in disciplinary action, which may include written reprimand, suspension, or dismissal."

Exposure Control Plan

No Login Needed!

The Exposure Control Plan can also be accessed by scanning this QR Code from any connected mobile device. No username or password needed! This QR Code is also posted at every GCEMS Station.

Post-Exposure

• After an exposure:

• With Injury

• Render appropriate emergency care, contact ODS immediately
• Follow direction of ODS for provision of medical care and management of current work tasks
• Decontaminate when feasible
• File Z Form, unusual occurrence form, and additional directed paperwork
• Follow up with appointments and report symptoms of illness within 12 weeks post-exposure

Post-Exposure

• After an exposure:

• Without Injury

• Decontaminate self, equipment, and vehicle
• Notify ODS, who will notify Infection Control Officer
• Each crew member files "Infectious Incident Report"
• Details of exposure, PPE, treatment, decontamination
• File Z Form and additional directed paperwork
• ODS and Admin will direct medical evaluation steps
• Follow up with appointments and report symptoms of illness within 12 weeks post-exposure

Post-Exposure

• Key concerns:

• Documentation of the routes & circumstances

• Primary risks related to the BBP standard are

HBV and HIV

• ID of source individual, if possible
• Testing of source individual as soon as feasible and after consent
• Determines HBV/HIV infectivity
• Employee blood testing - HIV serologic testing
• Post-Exposure prophylaxis when medically indicated
• Records of an exposure incident are confidential
• Must be kept for 30 years after the duration of employment

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