After completing the course, you'll be able to:

1. List the steps that an employer is required to take to protect workers against needle sticks and other exposures to blood and other body fluids that contain blood at work.

2. Define terms such as engineering controls, needleless system and sharps.

3. Explain the importance of hepatitis B vaccination for all DHCWs who have direct or indirect contact with patient's blood and/or saliva. Describe handwashing and hand care techniques for DHCWs.

4. Explain the correct use of personal protective equipment such as gloves, surgical masks, protective eye wear, protective clothing and utility gloves in a dental office.

5. Describe proper instrument sterilization techniques.

6. Describe appropriate waste disposal methods for regulated and unregulated items.

7. Outline radiographic asepsis procedures.

8. Discuss barrier precautions to be used to minimize infection.

9. Demonstrate the proper use of gloves, eyewear, gowns and other protective equipment.

10. Select appropriate chemical germicides with FDA and EPA classifications to disinfect contaminated environmental surfaces.

11. Identify proper sterilization methods for handpieces.

12. Follow the proper procedure for the disposal of sharp instruments and infectious waste.

13. Follow practice recommendations for health-care facilities implementing the U.S. Public Health Service Guidelines for management of occupational exposures to bloodborne pathogens.

14. Define an occupational exposure that may place a worker at risk for HIV or HBV infection.

15. Identify factors that may determine the overall risk for occupational transmission of a bloodborne, pathogen and quantify the risk of infection following an exposure.

16. List the things to do following an exposure to the blood of a patient.

17. Quantify the risk of infection for HBV, HCV and HIV after an occupational exposure to the blood of a patient.

18. Describe the treatment for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens using vaccination and drugs.

19. Implement the six recommendations made by the CDC to minimize the risk of HIV or HBV transmission.

20. Recognize the importance of making available to all employees the hepatitis B vaccine and vaccination series to all employees who have occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

21. Identify five primary activities associated with the majority of needlestick injuries.

22. List reported percutaneous and mucocutaneous blood exposures by job category.

23. Explain the occupational risk posed by HBV, HCV and HIV to a health-care worker.

24. Cite statistics to indicate the occupational risk of needlestick injuries to health-care workers.

25. Follow specific guidelines provided to evaluate and select safer-needle devices.

26. As a health-care employer, develop and implement a comprehensive needlestick program.

27. Set up a process to identify and select appropriate and effective engineering controls.

28. Identify precautions that employees should take when cleaning and decontaminating dental instruments.

29. Establish policies and methods of compliance to eliminate or reduce bloodborne pathogens exposures in the workplace.

30. Define and differentiate between engineering controls and work-practice controls.

31. List four exceptions to the use of engineering controls.

32. Write policies and procedures that detail required work-practice controls.

33. Discuss requirements for handling contaminated sharp.

34. Describe procedures for handling specimens of blood or other potentially infectious material.

35. Describe the procedure for cleaning and decontaminating equipment and surfaces.

36. Define contaminated laundry and describe the procedure for handling contaminated laundry.

37. Formulate a policy for hepatitis B vaccination series.

38. Execute an employee declination of hepatitis B vaccination form.

39. Formulate for your organization post-exposure evaluation and follow-up policy.

40. Implement warning-labels policy to identify containers of regulated waste, blood or OPIM.

41. Create an appropriate training program for employees with occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens

42. Define and differentiate between regulated waste, medical waste and biohazardous waste.

What actions led to 0SHVs Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act?

Who is covered?

What does the Standard require?

Are there other laws to prevent needlesticks?

Introduction

How can occupational exposures be prevented?

***If an Exposure Occurs

What should I do if I am exposed to the blood of a patient?

What is the risk of infection after an occupational exposure?

How many health-care workers have been infected with bloodborne pathogens?

***Treatment for the Exposure

Is vaccine or treatment available to prevent infections with bloodborne pathogens?

What about exposures to blood from an individual whose infection status is unknown?

What specific drugs are recommended for post-exposure treatment?

How soon after exposure to a bloodborne pathogens should treatment start?

Has the FDA approved these drugs to prevent bloodborne pathogen infection following an occupational exposure?

What is known about the safety and side effects of these drugs?

Can pregnant health-care workers take the drugs recommended for post-exposure treatment?

What follow-up should be done after an exposure?

What precautions should be taken during the follow-up period?

***Other Sources of Information

Q. What are some of the types of safety features used in safer-needle devices?

References

1. Set Up a Process

Participants

Participants to Involve in the Process

2. Define Needs

Needs Assessment Worksheet