This document discusses universal safety precautions for preventing the spread of infectious diseases. It covers bloodborne pathogens like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. Proper handwashing, use of personal protective equipment (gloves, gowns), safe disposal of contaminated items, housekeeping practices, and following universal precautions with all bodily fluids are essential practices to avoid infection. Annual training is required to keep staff safe.

1. A Lecture Presented by: Mr. Somvanshi VD
Universal Safety
Precautions

2. What is Hospital infection control plan?
What safety measures are in place?
What work practices should you follow?
What personal protective equipment should you use?
What housekeeping practices are in place?
You can get Hep B vaccine, medical counseling, follow-
up (post-exposure)
You will receive annual training.

3. What is a blood borne pathogen?
A microorganism present in blood
or bodily fluids that can infect and
cause disease.

4. What are the most common blood borne
pathogens we are concerned about?
 Hepatitis B, C and HIV
How are these pathogens spread?
 By exposure to blood or other bodily fluids that may contain
blood
What and How?

5. Inflammation of the liver caused by the Hepatitis B
virus.
It is spread through sexual contact, IV drug use, blood
transfusions or exposure to infected blood.
Symptoms may develop 4-6 months after exposure.
** Prevention is the key. To protect yourself use
universal precautions and get the Hepatitis B
vaccine.
Tell me about Hepatitis B

6. Your agency can provide this vaccine free.
It is administered in 3 doses over several months.
If you have already had the vaccine in the past, you can
obtain a test to see if you are still immune to Hepatitis
B.
How can I get the vaccine?

7. A major cause of chronic liver disease.
It is also spread like Hepatitis B.
There is NO vaccine available.
It increases your risk for cirrhosis and liver cancer.
What is Hepatitis C?

8. Which bodily fluids are potentially infectious?
 Blood
 Urine
 Feces
 Saliva
 Open wounds
 Semen and Vaginal secretions.
NOT perspiration(sweat) or tears!
Which Fluids?

9. When one of these fluids come into contact with
“broken” skin.
 Cuts
 Rashes
 Hangnails
 Piercings
or open surface like
 Eyes
 Mouth
 Nose
 Mucous membrane
An infection may occur.
Which Fluids?

10.  Safety measures that are used to prevent harmful
bacteria and viruses (pathogens) from infecting
people who provide first aid, personal or health
care.
 It is important that DSPs use universal
precautions – it helps to protect everyone!
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU USE UNIVERSAL
PRECAUTIONS!
What Are Universal Precautions?

11.  Appropriate Hand Washing & Personal Hygiene
 Disposal/Care of Contaminated Items (like
needles, clothing, bedding, tissues, bandages,
etc.)
 Engineering Controls
 Hepatitis B vaccination
What are the Safety Measures?

12.  ALWAYS….when you are providing care and
coming into contact with certain bodily fluids.
 Treat ALL these fluids as if they were infectious,
regardless of what you know about the person.
This is what “universal” means!!
When should we use Universal
Precautions?

13.  When you wash your hands properly, you wash
away bacteria and viruses that you have picked
up from the environment.
 Washing your hands properly will prevent the
spread of pathogens, thus avoiding illness.
Hand Washing

14.  Wet your hands with warm water and apply soap;
 Scrub your hands together briskly; get under
fingernails and between fingers;
 Wash for 10-15 seconds (“A,B,C’s” or “Happy
Birthday” one time through);
 Dry hands thoroughly with a clean paper towel;
 Use the towel to turn off the faucet and open the
door!
Proper method of Hand Washing

15.  Before and after preparing food
 Before and after eating
 Before and after providing direct care
 After cleaning
 After using the bathroom
 After touching pets
 After blowing your nose
**Be mindful that there may be more times when you
need to wash your hands**
When Do You Wash Hands?

16. Use these according to your agency policy:
 Gloves
 Gowns/Aprons
 Protective Eyewear
 Masks/Face Shields
These are to protect YOU and
the people you support.
Personal Protective Equipment

17. Gloves are the most
commonly used
protective equipment.
They should be used:
 To avoid contact with blood or other body fluids
 When handling contaminated items (e.g. laundry with
urine or fecal soiling)
 When there are open cuts, scratches or wounds on the
person you are supporting or on your own hands
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

18. Be sure to wash your hands before and after you use
gloves. Gloves serve as a protective measure, but you
still have the responsibility to perform proper care.
Gloves should be changed every time you come in
contact with a new person or activity.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

19.  Discard of contaminated needles or other sharp
instruments in appropriate containers
 Dispose of used items (napkins, tissues, hand
sanitizing cloths) or wash used items (towels, wash
cloths)
 Do not share personal care items (towels, wash
cloths)
Disposal/Care of Contaminated Items

20. Soiled Linen
 Should be bagged and transported in a manner to
prevent leakage and contamination of DSP’s clothing
 Sort linen before washing; use gloves to sort
 The settings on household washing machines are
sufficient to kill most common bacteria
 Use additives at the appropriate amounts for adequate
wash and care
Disposal/Care of Contaminated Items

21.  Immediately wash/rinse the exposed body part with soap and
warm water for sixty seconds. If necessary, flush eyes with
clean running water.
 Provide immediate first aid if it is necessary
 Tell someone! (according to your agency policy). You may need
to be tested/treated.
 Clean the environment with an appropriate disinfecting
solution, such as ten parts water to one part bleach. Bleach will
kill both HIV and hepatitis B virus. (Or, your agency may have
another product that you should use)
 After cleaning, promptly disinfect mops and any other
cleaning equipment, or you may spread the viruses to other
areas.
What to do if there is an exposure

22.  Communicable diseases spread from person to
person.
 You may hear them referred to as contagious or
infectious diseases as well.
 One example is Tuberculosis. You must obtain an
annual PPD to demonstrate that you do not have TB.
 Other examples: colds, flu.
Other Communicable Diseases
-not blood borne-

23. Caused by bacteria that are spread through the air by
infectious particles.
These bacteria infect the lungs.
Active TB requires antibiotic treatment for a year
Latent TB means that someone has the infection but
is NOT infectious.
Tuberculosis

24.  Wash hands to prevent food contamination.
 Keep foods out of the danger zone! (41 F – 135 F)
Bacteria grow FASTER in that range!
 Don’t defrost meat on the counter!
 Avoid cross-contamination
 Pick up utensils by handles only
When preparing food: