Training: Blood Borne Pathogens Movie/ Training is done at new staff orientation and annually thereafter.

Information: This Infection Control Manual is available at all sites.
Record Keeping: Record keeping is done consistent with OSHA standards and regulations.

Method of Compliance: Policies and procedures are consistent with OSHA standrads and regulations.

Review of Plan: Annually on Date of Inception

Approved: This Plan is approved by the Infection Control Coordinator and the Leadership of Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc.

O.S.H.A.

This standard is written to address OSHA recommended policies/procedures to be used by Hillcrest for the care and safety of students and employees. In order to accomplish this goal, Departments where exposure to blood/body fluids is a possible part of their work experience will have written policies/procedures addressing these issues.
Body Fluids include: blood, semen, vaginal secretions, other blood contaminated body fluids, saliva in dental procedure.
Also, Hillcrest has a standard appropriate Employee Health Policy for pre-employment screening for: Hepatitis B Vaccines, Follow-Up Blood/Body Exposures, as well as Exposures to Communicable Disease.

These standards are addressed in the following policies and documents:

Infection Control Manual
Infection Control Procedures
Universal Precautions/Procedures
Employee Health

I. Employees considered at risk of Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure include the following:

A. ALL Nursing Staff
Youth Development Professionals (YDP’s)
Teachers
Teacher’s Aides
Assistant Supervisors
Supervisors

B. Environment of Care Services
Housekeeping
Maintenance

EXCEPTIONS:
Training/Staff Development
Campus/Administrative Secretary
Administrative Office Workers

II. Universal Precautions:
A. Barriers/Handwashing
B. Specimen Handling
C. Wound Dressings
D. Trash (Medical Waste Handling)
E. Sharps
F. Linen Handling
G. Exposures to Communicable Diseases
H. Exposures to Blood-Borne Pathogens
I. Blood/Body Fluid Spills
J. Safe-Work Practices

III. Barriers:
When a specific barrier is indicated ALL persons performing the task will wear specific barrier-appropriate barriers for use as identified/listed for procedures:
a. Protective Clothing – Needs to prevent blood/infectious materials from passing through and contaminating personal clothing or skin. This clothing need not be impervious.
b. Gloves – Work where there is a chance of contact with ANY blood/body fluids that may transmit a blood/borne pathogen.
c. Hands – Washed using CDC recommended methods whenever gloves are removed.
d. Eye Protection – Provided to ALL persons where there is a chance of blood/body fluid splashing.
e. One-Way Resuscitation: Masks provided for resuscitation.

(ALL persons involved in care involving blood/body fluid exposure are to be aware of where to find barriers, how to use them, when to use them, and how to dispose of them).

IV. Housekeeping
ALL persons involved in health care are responsible for keeping his/her area clean and safe to work in. Food and/or drink is NOT kept or eaten where contamination can/could occur. Spills are cleaned up as they occur, to ensure no cross-contamination or exposure to others.
The Housekeeping Department is responsible for ALL general cleaning. The Department has written Policies/Procedures, schedules, and appropriates products for maintaining cleanliness, safety of the campus.

V. Linen Handling:
Students may be responsible for their own laundry, or are assisted by direct care staff.
Hillcrest campuses may employ full-time Laundry personnel.
Gloves are to be used, if there is any possibility of body fluid contamination
OR
Linen grossly contaminated with blood, potential infectious material(s).

VI. Regulated (Medical) Waste:
Heavily soiled waste (where environment could become contaminated by leakage) is placed in a red biohazard bag and transported by housekeeping for disposal.
ALL sharps are placed into rigid containers which are provided to the campuses, and are conveniently placed for easy use. Containers are NOT to be overfilled, closed securely at site, .
Needles are NOT recapped, or broken, prior to discarding.
Slightly soiled bandages, bandaids, alcohol wipes, sanitary napkins are NOT considered to be regulated (Medical) waste. These may be placed in regular trash receptacles.

VII. Employee Health
There is a written plan for Employee Health. This Plan includes:
• Pre-Employment Evaluation/Physical
• Essential functioning testing
• Vaccines – HBV

Follow-Up Exposures to:

o Hepatitis B
o HIV/AIDS
o TB
o Communicable Disease(s)

All employees are required to report any signs and/or symptoms of communicable disease to a campus nurse. Signs and symptoms include but are not limited to:
Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, fatigue, sore throat, and/or skin lesions.
The nurse will then take action consistent with policy on suspected or confirmed communicable disease.

VIII. Education:

There is an ongoing education program for all employees. All mandated programs are available and are to be attended on a Yearly Basis.

IX. Medical Records:
ALL Medical Records, Vaccine Records, Exposure Follow-Up, are located in the Employee Health Record.

X. Copies of OSHA Blood Borne Pathogen Standard –
are available in the following campus areas:
Human Resources Department
Infection Control Manuals
Nurses Stations