Chapter 14: Bloodborne Pathogen Notes

The athletic trainer must take precautions to prevent exposure to and transmission of bloodborne pathogens.

 

Bloodborne pathogens are transmitted through contact with blood or other bodily fluids

 

Hepatitis

 

Virus Reproduction

 

Bloodborne Pathogens

 

 

Hepatitis A

Hep B, C, D

€Hepatitis C

€Hepatitis D

€Liver damage is more severe with B and C than with A and D

 

Hepatitis B

 

 

 

Prevention

 

Management

 

 

Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HIV

 

 

Symptoms and Signs

 

 

AIDS

 

 

Management

 

 

 

Prevention

 

 

 

Bloodborne Pathogens in Athletics

 

 

 

Policy Regulation

 

Institutions should take responsibility to educate student athletes

At high school level, parents should also be educated

Make athletes aware that greatest risk is involved in off-field activities

Athletic trainer should take responsibility of educating and informing student athletic trainers of exposure and control policies

Institutions should implement policies concerning bloodborne pathogens

Follow universal precautions mandated by OSHA

 

HIV and Athletic Participation

 

No definitive answer as to whether asymptomatic HIV carriers should participate in sport

 

 

American with Disabilities Act says athletes infected cannot be discriminated against and may only be excluded with medically sound basis

 

 

Must be based on objective medical evidence and must take into consideration risk to patient and other participants and means to reduce risk

 

Testing Athletes for HIV

 

 

 

Universal Precautions in Athletic Environment

1991 OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) established standards for employer to follow that govern occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens

Developed to protect healthcare provider and patient

All sports programs should have exposure control plan

–Include counseling, education, volunteer testing, and management of bodily fluids

 

Preparing the Athlete

 

When Bleeding Occurs

 

Personal Precautions

 

Latex gloves, gowns, aprons, masks and shields, eye protection, disposable mouthpieces for resuscitation

Emergency kits should contain, gloves, resuscitation masks, and towelettes for cleaning skin surfaces

Doubling gloves is suggested with severe bleeding and use of sharp instruments

Extreme care must be used with glove removal

Hands and skin surfaces coming into contact with blood and fluids should be washed immediately with soap and water (antigermicidal agent)

Hands should be washed between patients

 

Availability of Supplies and Equipment

 

 

Needles, razorblades, and scalpels

use extreme care in handling and disposing all sharps

Do not recap, bend needles or remove from syringe

Scissors and tweezers should be sterilized and disinfected regularly

 

Protecting the Coach and Athletic Trainer

 

Protecting the Athlete From Exposure

 

Post-exposure Procedures