Bloodborne Pathogens

Bloodborne pathogens are germs carried in blood and some body fluids. The main ones in healthcare are hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.

They spread through needlesticks and cuts from sharps, and through blood or fluids splashing into the eyes, nose, mouth or onto broken skin.

The hepatitis B vaccine protects against hepatitis B. Employers must offer it to staff who could be exposed, at no cost.

Treat all blood and body fluids as if they could carry infection. That is standard precautions.

• Wear gloves whenever you could touch blood, body fluids, broken skin or mucous membranes
• Add a gown, mask and eye protection when splashes are possible
• Clean your hands after removing gloves
• Clean up blood spills promptly with an approved disinfectant, wearing gloves

• Never recap, bend or break a used needle
• Use safety devices as designed, and activate them right after use
• Drop used sharps straight into a sharps container at the point of use
• Replace containers when they are three-quarters full. Never overfill or reach inside
• In a patient's home, bring a portable sharps container and never leave sharps behind

If you are stuck by a used needle or splashed:

1. Wash needlesticks and cuts with soap and water right away
2. Flush splashes to the nose or mouth with water, and to the eyes with clean water or saline
3. Report it to your supervisor immediately
4. Get a medical evaluation as soon as possible. Some treatments work best when started within hours

Do not squeeze the wound or use bleach on your skin. Report every exposure, even if you think it was minor.