3 Measures for Avoiding Risks of Bloodborne Pathogens Due to Indirect Contact

Bloodborne pathogens are known to cause many contagious diseases including some that do not have any definitive cure, thus making them one of the biggest threats in the healthcare field. Realizing that taking adequate preventive measures is the best way to keep such diseases at bay, premier healthcare organizations and even the industry has stressed on the importance of bloodborne pathogen certification courses which impart the requisite knowledge to the employees for avoiding the ever-present risk of such infections.

Recognizing symptoms of such diseases, understanding and following the exposure control plan formulated by your employer and using the proper gear during the administration of minor treatments and for invasive medical procedures like surgeries are taught in such courses. However the threat of bloodborne pathogens continues to remain high even after administering treatment due to faulty and outright unsafe follow-up practices.

In addition to certain prominent topics like universal precautions and infection control a bloodborne pathogen certification also teaches you to avoid threats due to indirect contact by adopting the following 3 measures.

• Safe Disposal: Just because the treatment procedure is complete doesn't mean that you are no longer at risk from bloodborne pathogens. You can still contract diseases if you come in contact with carelessly discarded needles and other contaminated materials like used gloves, bandages and gauze. Some of the organisms remain potent for a number of days even if the blood or fluid dries up. One of the modules in your training will also tell you the importance of safe disposal of used materials. This will include using a sharps container for putting used needles, broken glass and any other sharp and disposable instruments so as not to injure yourself as well as others. Also any other contaminated items must be put in special bags meant for the purpose and promptly taken to the designated area for disposal by the waste management workers.

• Proper Labelling: A training course will further teach you the importance of labels and also how to identify standard signs and symbols used to indicate hazardous materials and areas. When disposing of contaminated materials you must ensure that the bags and containers are properly labelled so that the other staff will be cautious when handling the same. Similarly fluid and blood samples for testing must also be labelled and stored safely. In addition you will understand the danger of storing food and eating near places where such infected materials are kept.

• Maintaining Hygiene: Another important but oft neglected aspect of healthcare is the maintenance of proper hygiene. The course will tell you how following a set of simple hygiene steps are the most effective ways to prevent infection due to such pathogens. It will tell you the proper techniques for hand washing when performing routine duties and even in cases of accidental exposure.

Studies have pointed out that the risks of infection in a healthcare facility continue to be high due to poor implementation of safety measures. A bloodborne pathogen certification course will tell you the importance of such measures and also how to implement them for increasing safety.

For more information, please visit our bloodborne pathogens certification website.