Healthcare
Universal Precautions
Universal Precautions refer to those methods and general best practices used to prevent exposure to diseases and the transmission of infectious agents. These are the standard safeguards taken that help to keep employees and consumers protected and healthy when there may be the potential to come into contact with blood or other body fluids. As it pertains to the healthcare industry, however, all regulatory agencies have determined that individuals employed in healthcare settings face a certain heightened measure of risk as a result of occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials as they may contain blood borne pathogens. As such, Universal Precautions are used to minimize or eliminate these risks by using some work practice controls, personal protective clothing and equipment, training, medical surveillance and HBV vaccination. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) created basic standard precautions meant to keep both employees and consumers safe throughout the administration of healthcare.
The Universal Precautions course provides training and information on the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard for individuals at risk of occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). Exposure to blood and OPIM could result in transmission of bloodborne pathogens, which could lead to disease or death. This OSHA standard is a federal mandate requiring the use of Universal Precautions and other engineering and work practice controls to provide a safe workplace for employees. Precautions will vary for different areas within the healthcare space, however everyone should observe these basic safety precautions on the job to keep themselves and their coworkers safe.
The Universal Precautions course will address the following primary course objectives:
- Describe the importance of the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
- Explain engineering controls and work practices that reduce the risk of exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials
- Hand Washing for prevention purposes
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses