For Students
Infectious Disease Prevention Educational Module
Section 6: Policy and Procedures for Prevention and Response
Learning Objectives
This section is designed to help you:
- follow U of M procedures for protecting yourself from and for responding
to exposures to bloodborne pathogens and tuberculosis.
The AHC and Boynton Health Service have developed and implemented a policy for prevention of infectious disease and response to exposures on educational rotations.
Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms present in blood, tissue, and other body fluids that can cause diseases with significant consequences. Of all the bloodborne diseases, the three that pose the greatest concern include Hepatitis B, AIDS, and Hepatitis C.
To protect yourself from educational exposure from bloodborne pathogens and tuberculosis:
- follow the Boynton Health Service procedures for obtaining all required immunizations and vaccinations.
- treat all blood, tissue, and body fluids as infected.
- follow all universal precautions aimed at preventing exposures (e.g., eliminate the use of needles/sharp instruments whenever possible, use labeled sharps containers, wear personal protective equipment, wash your hands routinely).
- Complete mask fit testing and carry documentation with you during rotations.
If you are exposed to a bloodborne pathogen during an educational experience:
A. Perform basic first aid.
- Clean the wound, skin or mucous membrane immediately with soap and running water. Allow blood to flow freely from the wound. Do not attempt to squeeze or "milk" blood from the wound.
- If exposure to the eyes, flush eyes with water or normal saline solution for several minutes.
B. Report the exposure to your preceptor and the BHS 24-Hour triage nurse IMMEDIATELY at (612) 625-7900 and identify yourself as having a bloodborne pathogen exposure.
C. There will be an initial assessment of the source patient (permission form, blood assays to draw, etc.) that follows the standard employee procedures of the institution where the exposure occurred.
D. If you are assessed at high risk for HIV infection following rapid assessment, you should seek prophylactic medication treatment immediately.
E. Complete a follow-up assessment at BHS within 72 hours of exposure and complete the BHS Reportable Educational Exposure Form and Occupational Exposure Form.
F. You will receive prevention discussions, counseling and follow-up on the exposure in accordance with the Needlestick Safety Law.
G. Submit your bills to your own health insurance and work with BHS to receive funding for costs not covered by your insurance.
The dean of your school, in consultation with BHS, will determine whether the students in your school are at risk of significant exposure to bloodborne pathogens or tuberculosis.
- Significant exposure to patients with bloodborne pathogens is defined as actual contact with blood or other potentially infectious body fluids.
- Significiant exposure to patients with Tuberculosis is defined as five-minute face-to-face contact with patients who could have active pulmonary Tuberculosis disease.
For additional information on bloodborne diseases, transmission, and protection, here are some Web links:
- The International Health Care Worker Safety Center, at www.med.virginia.edu/medcntr/centers/epinet/center1.html,uses nationally representative data for accelerating the development and dissemination of safety technology, with the aim of reducing the occupational risk of bloodborne pathogen transmission in health care settings.
- OSHA bloodborne pathogen standard at www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/.
- "Hepatitis C: What Clinicians and Other Healthcare Workers Need to Know", an interactive Web-based training course from the CDC at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/training/index.htm.
- The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) document (in pdf format), "Preventing Needlestick Injuries in Health Care Settings" at www.cdc.gov/niosh/2000-108.html, provides more details about how you can protect yourself from percutaneous injuries.
In the spring of 2002, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidelines on hand hygiene, recommending the cessation of the use of soap and water and the change to waterless alcohol-based products. To learn more about this, you can view the video news brief, "Improvements in Handwashing Procedures Could Reduce Hospital Infection Rates" by Elaine Larson, professor of pharmaceutical and therapeutic research at Columbia University, at www.columbia.edu/cu/news/media/02/elaineLarson/.
Proceed to Section 7: Case Studies.
