Following the recent pandemic of Covid-19, many people are becoming more aware of the danger that infectious diseases pose to human beings. The fear that comes from knowing that there’s something dangerous just at the tip of your reach can overwhelm many people with panic. That makes the idea of bloodborne pathogens frightening to the majority of the public, who are still new to the scene of infectious diseases, especially if they don’t really have any idea of how it works or what they can do to prevent getting infected.

Fortunately, bloodborne pathogens aren’t something that the majority of the public has to worry about. Although they are still infectious diseases, and many of them are pretty serious, bloodborne pathogens are only of concern to those at risk of contracting the infection. That being said, here’s everything you need to know about bloodborne pathogens.

What are bloodborne pathogens?

Pathogens refer to microorganisms, like bacteria, that are capable of inflicting some sort of damage on the recipient once they reach their target area. Pathogens that can be transmitted through the air and infect the respiratory system are called airborne pathogens, while those that infect internal organs and can be transmitted through blood are called bloodborne pathogens. Bloodborne pathogens include, but aren’t limited to, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV). These diseases can be transmitted from one patient to another healthy recipient through sharing blood and infected bodily fluids, such as semen, vaginal discharge, or spinal fluid.

The need for getting bloodborne pathogen certification

It’s difficult for office workers to find themselves at risk of getting infected with a bloodborne pathogen during their normal routine. However, the same can’t be said for physicians, first-responders, and other healthcare personnel who come into frequent contact with patients’ blood and fluids. One simple prick from an infected needle can mark the end of the healthcare worker’s healthy life.

In order to prevent any onset of infection, employers are required to provide bloodborne pathogen training, and employees need to get a bloodborne pathogen certificate (BPC). Thankfully, this can be easily done by providing online training, after which the employees can get accredited certificates. Getting this training and certificate is a mandatory requirement for workers before they can enter hazardous environments, as it protects the safety of the individual personnel and the professional workforce of the employers.

Who needs to get bloodborne pathogen certification?

Since the risk of infection is only serious in certain fields, any employees working in such risky settings are required to get bloodborne pathogen certification. In short, any personnel working in a setting that holds the risk of getting exposed to or being in close range to infectious sources, like blood, need to get that certificate. This includes nurses, housekeeping professionals, first responders, other healthcare personnel, and industrial and commercial employees at risk of exposure due to working in damaged or infected areas.

During the training, the previous healthcare employees will learn a set of skills to help them protect themselves against infection. According to the Occupational, Safety, and Health Administration (OSHA), the training includes personal protective equipment, housekeeping, engineering, and work practice controls, general safety techniques, HBV vaccination, post-exposure follow-up, hazard communication, and much more.

How long does bloodborne pathogen certification last?

Unlike a lot of certificates, the period of this certification falls on the shorter end as it lasts only for one year. As outlined by OSHA, certified employees will have to retake certification training and apply for new forms once this period is over. Employers are required to provide this training before sending their employees to hazardous or potentially hazardous settings.

How to control exposure to bloodborne pathogens?

Controlling the exposure to bloodborne pathogens needs to start from the employer. The employer is required to implement safety and security protocols that alert the employees to the necessary precautions, as well as egg them following the needed safety measures. As required by OSHA/s Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, the primary means of minimizing the risk of exposure are the engineering controls. This includes using safer medical devices, like plastic capillary tubes, needleless devices, and shielded needle devices.

Understanding the risk that comes from being exposed to bloodborne pathogens, as well as knowing how to prevent or deal with the infection, is necessary for all healthcare workers. Sometimes, employees working in other settings are also required to get certified to reduce the risk of exposure. This kind of certification is necessary to protect the health of the workers as well as ensure the safety of the professional workforce.