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    Bloodborne Pathogens: When an Accident Happens

    Suddenly you're faced with an accident on the job. Should you call for emergency help? Should you help the hurt person yourself? With a quick study of the situation, you can decide how best to handle it. Before you help, take the right steps to protect yourself and others from infection from bloodborne pathogens. These are disease-causing germs carried in blood or other body fluids.

    Step 1. Check it out

    • Before helping the hurt person, try to find out if the injury is life-threatening.

    • If the injury looks life-threatening, call 911 or other emergency service before you do anything else.

    • For head and spine injuries, do not move the person until medical assistance arrives on the scene.

    • Don't panic. You'll be much more helpful if you stay calm.

    Step 2. Protect yourself

    When helping a hurt person, protect your hands, mouth, eyes, or any part of your body that might come in contact with the person's blood or body fluids. Follow these guidelines:

    • Use a barrier against blood and body fluid, such as protective gloves, when helping a hurt person.

    • If blood or body fluid could splash, wear a mask and eye protection. Wear an apron to protect your clothing.

    • If protective gloves aren't available, use some other type of barrier, such as a clean, thick cloth. If blood or body fluids start to soak through the cloth, keep adding more layers of cloth.

    Gloved hand pulling sterile glove up to wrist of opposite hand.
    Use barriers, such as gloves, to protect yourself from bloodborne pathogens.

    Step 3. Control or flag the area

    Follow work practice controls and use materials, such as rope, flags, cones, or tape, to mark off the accident site. This will help protect others from exposure to blood or body fluids, even if it's dried.

    Step 4. Make a report

    Report the accident to your supervisor right away. List anyone else who witnessed or was involved in the accident in the report.

    Online Medical Reviewer: Chris Southard RN
    Online Medical Reviewer: Marianne Fraser MSN RN
    Online Medical Reviewer: Vinita Wadhawan Researcher
    Date Last Reviewed: 9/1/2024
    © 2000-2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
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    Southern New Mexico
    Surgery Center

    2301 Indian Wells Rd. Suite B
    Alamogordo, NM 88310
    www.snmsc.org

    Phone: 575.437.0890
    Fax: 575.437.0905
    Email: info@snmsc.org

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