PRECAUTIONS / PROCEDURES FOR BLOOD BORNE PATHOGENS

In compliance with  the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA ) and the Center of Disease Control (CDC) recommendations, the following pages contain safety procedures for the University of Northern Colorado Athletic Training Education Program.

As a UNC athletic training student, it is expected that you will follow and abide by the policies and procedures outline when dealing with blood and bodily fluids.  Workshops and in-services are provided each semester to keep you informed and up to date with current information.  

Failure to comply, and abide by the procedures outlined in the following pages can result in suspension and/or termination from the program, as well as affect your clinical practicum grade. Remember these policies are for your safety and protection.

• HBV: (Hepatitis B virus) is a life-threatening blood borne pathogen that infects the liver.  Method of transmission: spread through sexual activity or contaminated blood.  It can also be spread through casual contact, but is not a primary concern.
  
• AIDS: (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) A disease that breaks down the body’s immune system.
• HIV: (Human Immune Deficiency Syndrome) A disease that breaks down the body’s immune system.

Method of transmission: Sexual intercourse, sharing needles, blood transfusions with infected blood, infected mothers to fetus, and a small percentage of unusual or direct exposure to infected blood.

LATEX GLOVES

Latex gloves are an important protective barrier to the transmission of HIV and HBV.  When you are out on the field you are required to have gloves with you, in a sealed plastic container (zip-lock bags work well) to use when handling blood and bodily fluids.  In the main athletic training room latex gloves are located next to the sink in the wound area, and on the medicine cabinet.  

When dealing with any type of wound, blood, mucous, saliva, or other bodily fluids gloves should be put on both hands in the following manner:

1. Hold the left glove by the rim with your right hand and pull on the left hand.
2. Apply the right glove in the same manner with the left hand
3. Smooth the gloves onto your hands
4. IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT AFTER 15 MIN LATEX GLOVES BEGIN TO DETERIORATE.
5. If during your application the glove rips, or is defective, discard the glove and re-glove with a new pair.

When removing soiled gloves extreme care should be taken not to touch the contaminant with your bare hands. The following method should be used and practiced:

1. With your right hand pinch the center of your left hand and pull your left hand gloves off, and hold in the right hand.
2. With your exposed left hand, be cautious when placing the first two fingers of your left hand underneath the rim of the right hand glove. (palm side)
3. Push the right glove off and over the balled left glove. The right glove should be inside out.

Once gloves are removed they should be placed in the BIOHAZARD CONTAINERS (located in the taping area and near the sink, or in a biohazard bag) along with any soiled first aid material, AND WASH YOUR HANDS THOROUGHLY with the correct procedure.

If you do not have gloves with you or have run out, use plastic bags to provide a barrier to protect you or, if the athlete is conscious have the athlete apply the dressing themselves until you are ready.

HAND WASHING PROCEDURE

Hands should be washed when you enter the athletic training room, before you leave for the day and routinely throughout the day.  Situations that require you to wash your hands include: after handling bloody fluids, after handling soiled laundry or equipment, after eating, prior to handling sterile instruments and before and after using the rest room.

RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE FOR WASHING HANDS

1. Use hot/warm-running water and allow the water to run down your hand.
2. Use liquid soap. Bacteria can grow on a bar of soap.
3. Using a circular motion rub hands together for approximately 30 sec. Be sure to include your wrists and lower forearm, fingernails and in between fingers.
4. Rinse under hot/warm water again allowing water to run down your hands.
5. Dry hands well and apply lotion to avoid chapping and cracking.

CLEANING SOLUTION

A 1:10 bleach solution is recommended by the CDC and OSHA, for disinfecting tables, countertops, biohazard areas, and the training room.  This solution will also be used to disinfect floors, mats or other equipment, which becomes contaminated. (clothing is excluded)

To mix the solution, add 1 ounce of bleach to 10 ounces of water. Cool water should be used when preparing the solution.  The bottle should be clearly labeled and stored underneath the sink.

When cleaning the athletic training room gloves should be used and the towels used should be marked, or placed in a biohazard bag. Be sure to wash your hands when you are finished.

LAUNDRY

The laundry facilities are located down the hall from the athletic training room on the main floor.  The equipment managers are very busy and may not realize what you are handing them.  It is important that any soiled laundry be clearly marked or placed in a biohazard bag. Notify the equipment personnel that the laundry contains blood or bodily fluids and should be handled with gloves.

It is important that if you see a bloodied towel, ankle wrap, or elastic bandage that you remove it immediately (with gloves on) and place in a biohazard bag.

All laundry that is soiled should be washed in hot water.

WOUND CARE

You will be instructed through courses and in-services on the proper procedure for cleansing wounds such as: abrasions, lacerations, blisters, and surgical wounds. The following is a general guideline for wound cleansing.

1. Obtain the appropriate amount of supplies you will need (Gauze pads, Q-tips, bandages, and ointments)
2. Apply your latex gloves using the outlined procedure.
3. To cleanse the wound, use warm soap and water and carefully wash the wound from the center out with a gauze pad.
4. When finished use another gauze pad to rinse the wound, again from the center of the wound out.
5. Apply the appropriate dressing and discard all materials into the biohazard containers and wash your hands.

BIOHAZARD CONTAINERS

Biohazard containers are clearly marked as such and usually are red in color. ALL infectious materials such as soiled gauze and gloves should be placed in these containers. Needles, scalpels and other infectious instruments should be placed in a puncture resistant sharps container.  Precautions should be used when disposing or dumping of the containers, and should not be done unless told to do so.  Refer to the head athletic athletic trainer.

During practices & competitions a biohazard container should be placed near each bench or sideline with biohazard bags.  When picking up the containers gloves should be worn.