Bloodborne Pathogens and 3 Ways How They Can Get Transmitted

Bloodborne pathogens refer to the viruses and bacteria that may be present in the blood and can cause various types of diseases including some serious ones. Such diseases can spread to another person through the blood or even certain body fluids including saliva.

Infections through Bloodborne pathogens are an occupational hazard with healthcare personnel being the most vulnerable due to their proximity with such people and conditions. Physicians, nurses and the cleaning and house-keeping staff can easily come in contact with infected blood or fluids while dealing with the patient or handling certain instruments. Lab workers who work on the blood may also be exposed to such risks. Furthermore those working at blood banks or almost any people who work with infected blood are vulnerable to diseases caused by such pathogens. Besides the passing of such pathogens from the patient to the healthcare worker the virus may spread to another patient or may pass from a worker to the patient too.

Following are the 3 common ways in which Bloodborne pathogens can pass through individuals.

- Needlestick Injury: One of the most common and widespread cause of the spread of bloodborne pathogens are Needlestick injuries. The virus can be transmitted when a needle or any sharp object like a scalpel that has traces of the infected blood or fluid nicks, cuts or pricks your skin. In most cases you will experience very little or no bleeding but it is sufficient for the pathogens to pass into your body. Such injuries can take place when handling needles, syringes, instruments or while administrating intravenous drugs. These accidents can happen while giving day-to-day medication or during surgeries and anesthesia procedures too. Nurses, doctors and even the cleaning staff who may dispose of such needles, razor blades, broken glass or soiled bandages and gauze are vulnerable to these pathogens.

- Broken Skin: Unbroken skin is the best and most effective barrier to keep bloodborne pathogens at bay. However while performing routine activities of the day you often get minor cuts and scrapes and though you may not give it much attention, it can prove dangerous in a healthcare environment if infected blood comes in contact with such broken skin. Any opening in your skin including minor injuries, rashes, blisters, burns, acne and even sunburns can be a potential entry point for such pathogens to affect the body.

- Mucus Membrane: The delicate mucus membranes of your mouth, eyes and nose can be yet another passage for bloodborne pathogens to enter. A splash of infected blood or fluid on such parts can easily transmit the virus. It can also enter your system if you happen to come in contact with the blood or instrument and then touch your mouth, nose or rub your eyes soon after.

You must also note that touching an affected person, coughing, sneezing or using the same toilet or water fountain does not spread such pathogens. Educating yourself will help you in differentiating hazardous conditions from non-hazardous ones and also helps in preventing any unnecessary panic and misconceptions about bloodborne pathogens.

For more information, please visit our bloodborne pathogens website.

Making Jobs Safer for Nurses

When looking at the physical demands of different jobs and likelihood of being injured, the field in most urgent need of help is nursing. The nursing shortage isnt due to no one wanting to be a nurse. Professionals and students who want the job or have the job experience the risks, injuries, and burnout, and leave the field. Nurses incur work-related musculoskeletal disorders seven times more than all other occupations. Nursing aids, orderlies, and attendants lift a cumulative 1.8 tons in a single 8-hour shift. The physical demands of this job are astounding, and they only become more intense as health care facilities become short staffed. The good news is that safe handling equipment is immediately effective and cost-recoupable in about 5 years.

Take, for example, John Dempsey Hospital in Connecticut. Their patient handling program was designed with the goal of being the safest hospital in the state. Their latest lift was purchased with the specific goal of reducing the staff injuries resulting from lifting, moving, and repositioning patients. Patients in turn have a safer experience as they are less likely to incur bruising or skin tears in the move. The safest hospital in the state likely sees more patients and attracts more nurses than other hospitals. Lets look at some aspects of nursing safety:

• Lifting patients - obviously, lifting people who weigh hundreds of pounds is what accumulates to that average 1.8 tons the fastest. There are a variety of mechanized solutions for lifting, turning, and transporting patients. This saves nurses from both accumulated and immediate trauma, especially to their low backs.


• Lifting other objects - those in the nursing field have many job responsibilities, some of which include lifting/transporting equipment and containers as well as emptying receptacles. These activities recruit many other movements that increase the risk of injury, like twisting, bending, and repetitive movements. Motorized equipment also exists for lifting objects, which is not only safer on the back, but neck and shoulders as well.


• Distance walked to obtain supplies - nurses are on their feet and on the move all day and night. They often are rotating their shifts, which mean getting enough sleep is a challenge. Lack of sleep and constant movement greatly add to fatigue, and fatigue can create a lot of other safety issues for both nurse and patient. Centralized or mobile workstations can help decrease unnecessary exhaustion and help health care workers save their energy for other job duties.


• Pushing and pulling - other manual material handling jobs focus a lot of safety instruction on pushing and pulling properly because of the high incident of related injuries. People in the nursing field also have the task of pushing and pulling some pretty heavy objects. This places stress on the entire back, shoulders, neck, wrists, and knees. When other manual assistance is hard to come by, motorized carts and chairs can make a world of difference in safety.

Nurses like their jobs. We need nurses. Providing a safer way for everyone in the nursing field to do their jobs helps us all. Fortunately, this is a time where ergonomics is an integral part of our work culture.

Additionally, legislation continues to pass bills that require lifting equipment and patient handling safety training in hospitals. If health care facilities can support their staff with equipment to make their jobs as safe as possible, nurses will have career longevity, facilities will be staffed, and patients will be in the best care possible.

Jacob Cummings is the National Sales Manager for PHS West, Inc. He has been with the company for 11 years. PHS West Inc manufactures customized material handling solutions for a variety of industries and applications. Products include motorized platform carts, endoscopy carts, dialysis carts, patient transport systems and motorized linen carts. Jacob has written a number of articles on ergonomics for Nursing.