Invasive Procedures Safety

Terms and Definitions

Bloodborne Pathogens

Disease causing microorganisms that may be present in human blood.  They may be transmitted with any exposure to blood or Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIM) (e.g., Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV)).

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Specialized equipment or clothing (such as gloves, face shields, and gowns) worn for protection form exposure to blood, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials.

Engineering Controls

Structural or mechanical devices used to reduce exposure to potentially infectious materials in the workplace by removing the hazard or by isolating the worker from the material (examples include sharps containers, biohazard bags, biohazard labels, handwashing facilities).

Work Practice Controls

Controls that reduce the likelihood of exposure by altering the manner in which a task is performed (e.g., prohibiting recapping of used needles). 

Universal Precautions (Body Substance Isolation)

The concept that all blood and certain body fluids are to be treated as if contaminated with bloodborne pathogens.

Primary Means of Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens

Injection under the skin by puncture wounds or cuts from contaminated sharps

Contaminated blood entering non-intact skin; cuts, abrasions, burns, rashes, lacerations, ulcerations, or chapped/cracked hands.

Splashes from contaminated blood entering the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth

Primary Means of Exposure Prevention to Bloodborne Pathogens

Wash hands

Protect and shield all potentially contaminated body areas with personal protective equipment

Complete all invasive procedures in a controlled, confident manner

Dispose of potentially contaminated materials immediately and carefully in provided biohazard receptacles

Use universal precautions with the following potentially infectious materials:

(1)        Blood

(2)        Semen

(3)        Vaginal secretions

(4)        Cerebrospinal fluid

(5)        Synovial fluid

(6)        Pleural fluid

(7)        Any body fluid with visible blood

(8)        Any unidentifiable body fluid

(9)        Saliva from dental procedures

Handling and Disposal of Contaminated Material and Needles

Contaminated material handling and disposal

(1)        Wear disposable gloves in areas that you may come into contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials 

(a)        Immediately wash hands and replace gloves when torn or punctured

(b)        Immediately wash hands and replace gloves when gloves are covered with blood or other potentially infectious materials

(2)        Dispose of all disposable materials such as gloves, gauze sponges, alcohol pads, and/or chux pads in regular trash.  If they are grossly contaminated, dispose in a leak proof, red  "Biohazard" bag.

When gathering and disposing contaminated materials, always take extra time to look closely for any needles, ampules, or other sharp objects which may be hidden.

(3)        Dispose of blood specimens in a container that prevents leakage (red "sharps" container)

(4)        Dispose of non-contaminated items such as wrappers, needle covers, etc., in regular waste containers

(5)        If a blood spill occurs, use decontamination procedures listed within the Bloodborne Pathogen SOP

(6)        Specimens of blood will be placed in a container (such as a sharps container) which prevents leakage during handling, storage and transport

(7)        Contaminated waste bags must be kept under lock at the AMEDDC&S and turned into AMEDDC&S CMS for disposal at the end of final testing for invasive procedures

Handling and disposal of contaminating needles

Contaminated needles or other contaminated sharps must not be bent or recapped.

(1)        Wear gloves

(2)        Dispose of needle and/or syringe immediately, by gently dropping it into a biohazard sharps container from a height no greater than six inches

Do not leave contaminated needle/syringe in area with chux and other disposables as this may increase the likelihood of needle sticks.

(3)        A sharps container should be at every bedside in a hospital and next to each gurney during invasive procedures

(4)        DO NOT place your hands into sharps container

(5)        Close lid of sharps container when 3/4 full.  DO NOT overfill.

(6)        Dispose of sharps containers IAW Bloodborne Pathogen SOP

(7)        If needles are to be removed from the syringe, use a hemostat or one-handed technique

(8)        DO NOT attempt to push out a vacutainer needle using your fingers.  The posterior needle is covered with a latex sheath that will puncture your finger if pressed.