Course Summary

Healthcare workers can be exposed to many different pathogens in the workplace and a small percentage may become infected by them. The most common pathogens that pose a danger to healthcare workers are the hepatitis B virus, the hepatitis C virus, and the human immunodeficiency virus. Transmission of these viruses can be by a percutaneous injury, or by contact with an infected patient’s blood or other body fluids, or a contaminated environmental object or surface. Patients and hospital visitors do not have the same level of risk for exposure as a healthcare worker but exposure may occur. Healthcare facilities are required to have an infection control policy and healthcare workers are required to know the policy and follow its guidelines. When infection control procedures are used conscientiously, they can decrease exposures and pathogenic transmission.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Infection Process in Healthcare
    • Pathogen Transmission
    • Susceptible Host
  • Occupational Exposure to Pathogens
    • Percutaneous Injury
    • Splash or Droplet Exposure
  • Risk of Infection from Occupational Exposure
    • Factors that Increase the Risk of Infection
    • Risk of HIV Infection
    • Risk of HBV Infection
    • Risk of HCV Infection
  • Causes of Needlestick Injuries and Other Exposures
  • OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
    • OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Definitions
    • Bloodborne Pathogens Standard for Injury Prevention
    • Employer and Employee Compliance to OSHA Standard
    • Standard Precautions and OSHA
  • Managing Exposures To Bloodborne Pathogens
    • Hepatitis B Viral Exposure
    • Hepatitis C Viral Exposure
    • Human Immunodeficiency Viral Exposure
  • Potential Harmful Effects of Infection Control
  • Summary

Author

Dana Bartlett, RN, BSN, MSN, MA, CSPI

Dana Bartlett is a professional nurse and author. His clinical experience includes 16 years of ICU and ER experience and over 27 years as a poison control center information specialist. Dana has published numerous CE and journal articles, written NCLEX material, textbook chapters, and more than 100 online CE articles, and done editing and reviewing for publishers such as Elsevier, Lippincott, and Thieme. He has written widely on the subject of toxicology and was a contributing editor, toxicology section, for Critical Care Nurse journal. He is currently employed at the Connecticut Poison Control Center. He lives in Wappingers Falls, NY.

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