In this Bloodborne Pathogens Certification Course you'll learn about Pathogens, Viruses, Bacteria and Parasites as well as Prevention, Practices and Universal Cautions.
Lessons
Lesson 1 : Definitions
Lesson 2: Risks
How risky is it? HIV – very small MRSA – small HCV – higher HBV – highest Am I at risk? This training applies to all employees who have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) Occupational exposure is defined as “reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or OPIM that may result […]
Lesson 3: What is the immune system
The immune system is a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body from harmful germs. When bacteria, viruses, and other germs invade your body, they multiply and attack. This invasion is called an infection. Infections cause the diseases that make you sick. Your immune system protects you from […]
Lesson 4: Layer 1 of the immune system
The first line of defence (or outside defence system) includes physical and chemical barriers that are always ready and prepared to defend the body from infection. These include your skin, tears, mucus, cilia, stomach acid, urine flow, ‘friendly‘ bacteria and white blood cells called neutrophils Layer 1 :Physical barriers Skin, mucous membranes Coughing, sneezing Tears, urine, mucus Chemical barriers […]
Lesson 5: Layer 2 and 3 of the immune system
The body’s second and third lines of defence If the pathogens are able to get past the first line of defence, for example, through a cut in your skin, and an infection develops, the second and third lines of defence becomes active. Through a sequence of steps called the immune response, the immune system […]
Lesson 6: Problems with the immune system
Disorders of the immune system fall into four main categories: immunodeficiency disorders (primary or acquired) autoimmune disorders (in which the body’s own immune system attacks its own tissue as foreign matter) allergic disorders (in which the immune system overreacts in response to an antigen) cancers of the immune system Immunodeficiency Disorders Immunodeficiencies happen when a […]
Lesson 7: Hepatitis
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. The condition can be self-limiting or can progress to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis in the world but other infections, toxic substances (e.g. alcohol, certain drugs), and autoimmune diseases can also cause hepatitis. There are 5 main […]
Lesson 8: Hepatitis B
Inflammation of the liver Risk of HBV infection after a single positive needle stick is 30% Durable virus (7 days outside body) Acute or chronic More than 350 million people are chronic carriers of HBV worldwide (CDC) 800,000–1.4 million persons in the United States have chronic HBV infection Annual number of unreported infections may […]
Lesson 9: Hepatitis C
The Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is also a significant cause of severe liver damage and death. After a needlestick or sharps exposure to HCV-positive blood, the risk of HCV infection is approximately 1.8% 75-80% chronic 3.2 million persons in the U.S.- chronic HCV infection Vaccine? No PEP? No HCV or parenterally transmitted hepatitis nonA-nonB […]
Lesson 10: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, which is our body’s natural defence against illness. The virus destroys a type of white blood cell in the immune system called a T-helper cell, and makes copies of itself inside these cells. T-helper cells are also referred to as CD4 cells. As HIV destroys […]
Lesson 12: MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is caused by a type of staph bacteria that’s become resistant to many of the antibiotics used to treat ordinary staph infections. Most MRSA infections occur in people who’ve been in hospitals or other health care settings, such as nursing homes and dialysis centers. When it occurs in these […]
Lesson 11: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
AIDS was first described in 1981 in New York and Los Angeles during an unusual incidence of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and Kaposi’s sarcoma in homosexual men who had no known underlying immunodeficiency. In the United States, 51% of all AIDS cases have been men who reported sexual contact with other men. In central Africa […]
Lesson 13: Prevention of infection
Several measures help protect people against infection. Hand washing is an effective way of preventing the spread of infectious microorganisms from one person to another. Hand washing is particularly important for people who handle food or who have frequent physical contact with other people. People visiting hospital patients who are seriously ill should wash […]
Lesson 15: Work Practice Controls
Work Practice Controls Work practice controls are intended to reduce the likelihood of exposure by changing the way a task is performed. They include appropriate procedures for hand washing, sharps disposal, specimen handling, laundry handling, and contaminated material cleaning. Work practice controls are commonly described in written procedures in the workplace. You should have […]
Lesson 14: PPE and Universal Precautions
Universal Precautions Universal precautions is an approach to infection control to treat all human blood and certain human body fluids as if they were known to be infectious for HIV, HBV and other bloodborne pathogens Treat all blood and body fluids as if infectious Wash hands – always Use PPE Use correct waste containers Ensure […]
Lesson 16: Aseptic technique vs. clean technique
Aseptic technique vs. clean technique Keeping the environment as clean as possible is always important in preventing infections. However, some situations call for aseptic technique while others call for clean techniques. Healthcare providers learn both aseptic and clean techniques as part of their training. The goal of the aseptic technique is to eliminate germs […]
Lesson 17: Waste, linens and spills
Handling Disposable Needles and Syringes Use extreme caution when handling needles and syringes. Use needle-locking syringes or disposable syringeneedle units (i.e. the needle is integral to the syringe) whenever possible. Avoid autoinoculation and aerosol generation during use and disposal. Contaminated needles must not be sheared, bent, recapped or removed unless the supervisor can demonstrate […]
Lesson 18: Health and Safety Responsibilities
In terms of the  Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993, the employer must ensure that the workplace is free of hazardous substances, such as benzene, chlorine and micro organisms, articles, equipment, processes, etc. that may cause injury, damage or disease. Where this is not possible, the employer must inform workers of these […]
Lesson 19: Post Exposure
What is an occupational bloodborne pathogen exposure? An occupational bloodborne pathogen exposure is contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of an employee’s duties. What are the possible exposure methods? Methods of exposure:Â An occupational exposure to human blood other potentially infectious material occurs in one or more of […]