Welcome back to the accountable bloodborne pathogens training series. We've discussed what bloodborne pathogens are and strategies for prevention. Now let's get practical and talk about your personal protective equipment or PPE and critical safe work practices. Personal protective equipment is your last line of defense against exposure.
OSHA mandates that PPE is provided to you free of charge and accessible whenever needed. So let's review the essentials. First up, gloves. Always wear gloves when there's a potential hand contact with blood, bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces.
Remember, gloves protect you only if you remove them properly. After removing gloves, always wash your hands immediately with soap and water. Gloves are great, but they aren't perfect. Face and eye protection like masks, goggles and face shields protect your eyes, nose and mouth from splashes.
Use these whenever there's a risk of sprays, splashes or droplets. Even brief tasks pose risks, so don't skip face protection. It only takes a second for an exposure to happen. Gowns and aprons shield your skin and clothing from contamination.
Use them for procedures where splashes are possible, like wound care or surgeries. Reusable gowns must be handled carefully and laundered properly. Utility gloves, thicker, more durable gloves, are for tasks like cleaning blood spills or handling sharp equipment. CPR masks or shields protect during resuscitation by avoiding direct mouth to mouth contact.
Remember, PPE has its limits. Gloves can tear and masks won't prevent needle sticks. PPE is effective only if you use it correctly every time. Consistency is key.
Now beyond PPE, adopting safe work practices is critical. So let's highlight key behaviors to ensure your safety. Hand hygiene is your single most important protective practice. Wash thoroughly after any exposure or glove removal.
Never recap needles by hand. This outdated practice causes many needle stick injuries. Instead, use safety devices and immediately dispose of sharps in approved containers. Proper sharps disposal means placing used sharps in puncture resistant containers immediately after use.
Containers should be changed when they're about two thirds full. Keep food and drinks out of clinical areas to prevent accidental ingestion of pathogens. Always transport blood specimens in leak proof labeled containers.
Clean and decontaminate blood spills immediately using approved disinfectants. Always wear the appropriate PPE during cleaning. Handle contaminated laundry minimally and use leak proof bags.
Regulated medical waste should be disposed of in clearly marked biohazard bags or containers. Now, test. Watch this scenario. Can you spot any mistakes?
Now, if you spotted improper glove removal or needle handling, excellent. These mistakes can be dangerous, but simple corrections can keep you safe. In this video, we've covered proper PPE use, key safe work practices and common pitfalls. Next, we'll talk about what to do if exposure happens despite our best efforts.
Remember, your safety starts with consistent use of PPE and disciplined work habits. Protect yourself, protect your colleagues, and stay accountable. You've completed part three of Accountable's Bloodborne Pathogens training. Proceed to the final video when you're ready.
