Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan

BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN

The Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan is to reduce occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the demonstration or practical competencies performed in a classroom setting. In accordance with OSHA’s (Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s) bloodborne pathogens standard 29 CFR Part 1910.1030, the exposure control plan has been developed and implemented to detail employee protection measures. The plan is evaluated annually by the faculty, staff, administration, and Occupational Advisory Committee for updates, if needed, in identifying, evaluating, and selecting effective engineering and work practice controls.

Exposure Determination

This standard covers all employees who it can “reasonably be anticipated” to have contact with blood and other potentially infectious materials. Schoolteachers, administrators, athletic coaches, cafeteria workers and janitorial staff fall under this category and are therefore covered under the Bloodborne pathogens standard.

Instructors and Students that may come into contact with human blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM):

1. Medical Assistant Instructor, MA/PHLEB Instructor
2. Phlebotomy/EKG Technician Instructor
3. Faculty/Program Directors
4. Patient Care Technician Instructors
5. Students
6. Staff

Hepatitis B Vaccination and Post-Exposure Evaluation and Follow-Up

Quest College shall make available within 10 days of possible exposure the Hepatitis B vaccine and vaccination series to all employees who have occupational exposure.

An exposure incident is any contact of blood or OPIM’s with non-intact skin or mucous membranes. Any employee or student having an exposure incident shall contact the Director of Compliance. All employees and students who have an exposure incident will be offered a confidential post-exposure evaluation and follow-up in accordance with the OSHA standard. This includes a visit to a physician selected by Quest College. The health care professional written opinion will be provided to the employee or student within 15 days of the evaluation.  Those students on externship are to report an exposure immediately to the Extern site Supervisor, and the Director of Faculty and Student Services.  The externship site by agreement with Quest College, as cited in the externship agreement, makes arrangements and pays for the cost of the externs’ evaluation and follow-up.

Accessibility of Plan

The plan is available in all classrooms, student break room, institution’s website, Registrar’s office, and employee break room.

Training

Training is provided to Instructors/students at the time of initial assignment to tasks where occupational exposure may occur, and that it shall be repeated within twelve months of the previous training for instructors. Training shall be tailored to the education and language level of the instructor/student, and offered during the normal class times. Training will be provided to the student as indicated in the curriculum to each respective program. The training will be interactive and cover the following:

a. direction to a copy of the standard and an explanation of its contents posted in the classroom;
b. a discussion of the epidemiology and symptoms of bloodborne diseases;
c. an explanation of the modes of transmission of bloodborne pathogens;
d. an explanation of the Quest College’s Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan (this program), and a method for obtaining a copy;
e. the recognition of tasks that may involve exposure;
f. an explanation of the use and limitations of methods to reduce exposure, for example engineering controls, work practices and personal protective equipment;
g. information on the types, use, location, removal, handling, decontamination, and disposal of PPE;
h. an explanation of the basis of selections of PPE;
i. information on the Hepatitis B vaccination, including efficacy, safety, method of administration, benefits, and that it will be offered free of charge;
j. information on the appropriate actions to take and persons to contact in an emergency involving blood or OPIM;
k. an explanation of the procedures to follow if an exposure incident occurs, including the method or reporting and medical follow-up;
l. information on the evaluation and follow-up required after an employee/student exposure incident;
m. an explanation of the signs, labels, and color coding systems.

 The person conducting the training shall be knowledgeable in the subject matter.

Controls

The bloodborne pathogen standard also requires implementation of engineering and work practice controls where possible.

Universal Precautions

Universal Precautions will be utilized in the handling of all human blood and OPIM’s.

Personal Protective Equipment

All personal protective equipment used at this facility will be provided without cost to Instructors and students. Personal protective equipment will be chosen based on the anticipated exposure to blood or OPIM. The protective equipment will be considered appropriate only if it does not permit blood or OPIM to pass through or reach the instructors/students clothing, skin, eyes, mouth, or other mucous membranes under normal conditions of use.

Engineering Controls

1. Hand sinks are located in appropriate medical labs and are readily accessible to all instructors/students who have the potential for exposure.
2. Instructors/students will wash their hands and any other exposed skin with soap and hot water immediately or as soon as possible after contact with blood or OPIM, for 15 seconds, in a manner causing friction on both inner and outer surfaces of the hands.
3. Instructors/students will be provided with antiseptic hand cleaner and paper towels when hand washing is not feasible. However, hand washing must still take place as soon as possible after exposure.
4. Eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics or lip balm and handling contact lenses is prohibited in work areas where there is the potential for exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
5. If professional medical attention is required, a local ambulance will be the first choice; a personal car will be the second. If a personal car is taken, impervious material should be used to prevent contamination of the vehicle.
6. New instructors and students will receive training about any potential exposure from the Instructor appointed by the Director of Faculty and Student Services.

Disposal of Contaminated Items and Communication of Hazard

1. Employees must:

a. use bleach to disinfect any blood or OPIM.
b. apply the bleach with single-use gloves and allow to sit for 15 minutes.
c. place any single-use gloves that have been contaminated in a biohazard garbage bag and cover.
d.dispose of the bag as indicated by policy of OSHA .

2. Regulated waste should be placed in appropriate containers, label and disposed of in accordance with applicable state, federal and local laws, as well as guidelines set forth by Quest College.

3. Employees will be warned of biohazard bags by labels attached to the disposal bags. Labels used will be orange-red and marked with the work BIOHAZARD or the biohazard symbol.

Housekeeping

Maintaining our work areas in a clean and sanitary condition is an important part of Quest College’s Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan. Instructors must decontaminate working surfaces and equipment with an appropriate disinfectant after completing procedures involving blood or OPIM. All equipment, environmental surfaces and work surfaces shall be decontaminated immediately or as soon as feasible after contamination.

1. Instructors/students must clean and disinfect when surfaces become contaminated and after any spill of blood or OPIM.
2. Instructors/students will use a solution of one part bleach to ten parts water for cleaning and disinfecting.
3. Working surfaces and equipment will be routinely cleaned, disinfected and maintain.
4. Potentially contaminated broken glass will be picked up using mechanical means, such as dust pan and brush, tongs, etc.
5. Quest College uses universal precautions for handling of all soiled draping or uniforms.
6. Laundry contaminated with blood or OPIM will be handled as little as possible. Instructors who handle contaminated items will utilize personal protective equipment to prevent contact with blood or OPIM from coming into contact skin or street clothes.
7. Contaminated clothing will remain on the premises, or will be sent directly to a laundry facility for cleaning. Employees will be given the option of reimbursement for the cost of contaminated clothing and the clothing will be disposed.

Recordkeeping

Medical records shall be maintained in accordance with OSHA Standards. These records shall be kept confidential, and must be maintained for at least the duration of the Instructor’s employment plus 30 years in the employee file/ 5 years in the student file.