Following the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard for Increased Safety

Bloodborne pathogens are a well-known risk associated with working in the healthcare sector. However, their potential to cause serious harm is not inevitable. Those who encounter needles and other sharps during their workday can reduce and avoid these risks to keep themselves and patients safer and healthier by understanding and adhering to the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.

What is the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard?

The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard is an amendment to the 2000 Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act. In this amendment, specific standards have been outlined by informed professionals at OSHA regarding how to handle, dispose of, and further reduce risks associated with needles, bodily fluids, and more.

This standard establishes industry-wide best practices for those who encounter bodily fluids, tissues, and sharps in a workplace setting. These professionals are at a higher risk than most for bloodborne illnesses and injuries. The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard seeks to help them reduce and eliminate those risks wherever possible to ensure fewer illness and injures for providers and patients.

Implementing the Standards in Your Healthcare Setting

How can you implement the best practices outlined in the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard in your own home or public healthcare setting? It all starts with prevention. Training employees on proper handling and disposal of sharps, body fluids, and tissues will help them disseminate this information to patients.

Likewise, information should be readily available about the benefits of vaccinations against bloodborne illnesses like Hepatitis B. Vaccination can prevent illness in the event of accidental exposure or injury.

Lastly, proper disposal should be made easy for your team. Whether you are a single provider or have hundreds of employees on your unit, facilities to dispose of sharps, bodily fluids, and tissues safely and securely should be marked and made available to everyone who needs them. These containers should also be placed in areas where children or animals cannot easily access them.

Safety procedures should be clearly stated and restated across your facility. While it might seem unnecessary to a seasoned professional, prevention at every level is an important part of making sure the standard is followed and illnesses are prevented. To learn more contact Sharp Fluidics today.