SHARPS AND NEEDLESTICK PREVENTION FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS - Bloodborne Pathogens

Course overview

Purpose of Course Health care workers are routinely exposed to bloodborne pathogens in their daily work through blood and body fluid contamination. One of the most frequent routes of exposure is through contaminated needles and sharps. Even though specific healthcare personnel is responsible for administered needle injections, any healthcare provider could be at-risk for exposure when there is a breach in safety protocol. The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act implemented in 2001 targeted thehigh-risk of exposure. Hepatitis and HIV are well-known bloodborne pathogens, but there are more than 20 diseases transmitted through contaminated sharps.This course is to teach the learner on needlestick and sharps safety to lessen the risk of exposure by increasing knowledge of safe practices. Sharps safety and needlestick prevention are critical issues for healthcare workers. Healthcare workers are not the only individuals at risk for percutaneous exposure to pathogens. People who work with body art or tattoos, correctional department workers, first responders, and maintenance and waste workers at risk.