Bloodborne Pathogens

Standard PrecautionsUnit 2

Lesson 1:Standard

Precautions

Objectives:In this lesson, you will:• Describe the purpose of

standard precautions.• Identify standard precautions.

Standard Precautions• Created by the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention (CDC)• Used for all patients regardless of illness• Protect healthcare workers and patients

from contracting infectious diseases• State that all body fluids must be

considered infectious and all patients possible carriers of infection.

Wash Hands

• After contact with infectious material

• Before and after procedures

• After removing gloves• Between patients

Personal Protective Equipment

• Shields you from pathogens• Examples include:– Gloves– Masks– Eyewear– Gowns

Sharps• Include needles,

surgical blades, syringes, and razors

• Never point a needle toward any part of your body, including recapping a syringe

• After use, drop into a puncture-proof, biohazardous waste container.

Infectious Waste• Disposable equipment that

comes into contact with infectious material should be discarded into a biohazardous waste container.

• Biohazardous waste containers have a biohazard symbol and a red trash bag.

• Linens that are contaminated are placed in brightly colored infectious linen bags.

Equipment• Used patient equipment

must be disposed of in a safe manner or cleaned.

• Handle items so that infectious material does not contact you, your clothes, or work surfaces.

• Use face shields during CPR in lieu of mouth-to-mouth contact.

Spills

• All spills must be cleaned up immediately.

• After cleaning, disinfect the surface with a bleach solution.

• Read instructions and the materials safety data sheet before using a chemical cleaning solution

Lesson 1:Standard

Precautions

Summary:In this lesson, you have:• Described the purpose of

standard precautions.• Identified standard

precautions.

Lesson 2: Gowns

Objectives:In this lesson, you will:• Describe when to wear a gown.• Learn to don and remove a gown.

Gowns• Type of personal protective equipment• Worn when it’s likely you’ll come into

contact with blood or other potentially infectious material

• Must be changed between patients• After use:– Disposable gowns go into biohazardous

waste containers– Non-disposable gowns go in biohazardous

linen bags

Procedure for Donning a Gown

1. Wash hands2. Unfold the gown and pull it on

with the opening in the back3. Tie the gown at the back of

your neck4. Tie the waist strings

Procedure for Removing a Gown1. Untie the gown, touching

only the ties2. Pull down the gown, touching

only the inside3. Pull both arms out while

flipping the gown inside out4. Roll into a bundle, touching

only the inside of the gown5. Place in biohazardous waste

or linens container6. Wash hands

Lesson 2: Gowns

Summary:In this lesson, you have:• Described when to wear a gown.• Learned to don and remove a gown.

Lesson 3:Masks and

Eyewear

Objectives:In this lesson, you will:• Describe when to wear

masks and protective eyewear.• Learn to don and remove

masks and eyewear.

Masks & Eyewear

• Wear when splashes/sprays of bodily fluid can occur

• Should be put on after a gown and before gloves

• Masks must be replaced if wet or worn for more than 30 minutes

• Masks only worn once• Eyewear is often reusable

Procedure for Donning a Mask

1. Wash hands2. Position the mask over

your mouth and nose3. Tie the strings or pull the

elastic band behind your head

4. Pinch the metal strip to secure the mask

Removal• Only touch the strings or

elastic bands, which are considered clean

• Mask and eyewear may be contaminated

• Put masks and disposable eyewear in a biohazardous waste container

• Put reusable eyewear in the correct container for cleaning and disinfection

Lesson 3:Masks and

Eyewear

Summary:In this lesson, you have:• Described when to wear

masks and protective eyewear.• Learned to don and remove

masks and eyewear.

Lesson 4:Non-Sterile Gloves

Objectives:In this lesson, you will:• Describe when to use

non-sterile gloves• Learn to don and remove

non-sterile gloves.

Non-Sterile Gloves• Gloves should never replace

washing your hands• Put gloves on just before

starting a procedure that could involve blood or other infectious material

• Should be put on after all other protective equipment

• Change gloves between patients and procedures

Procedure for Donning Gloves

1. Remove jewelry and wash hands

2. Pull gloves on and over gown sleeves and position them on the fingers

Procedure for Removing Gloves1. Grasp the cuff and pull it

downward while turning it inside out

2. Slip ungloved fingers beneath the cuff of the other glove and pull it downward and inside out

3. Throw gloves in a biohazardous waste container and wash hands

Lesson 4:Non-Sterile Gloves

Summary:In this lesson, you will:• Described when to use

non-sterile gloves• Learned to don and

remove non-sterile gloves.