7 The revision, effective in 2001, clarified existing requirements regarding the use of safer medical devices. In response to both continued concern over exposures and technological developments that protect healthcare workers, the US Congress passed the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act in 2000, directing OSHA to revise the BBPS. 6 Adherence to the BBPS is required for any workplace that has a reasonably anticipated exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. In 1991, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (BBPS) to help protect workers from occupational exposures. The risk for transmission from a positive-source patient is 0.3%, 3% to 30%, and 1.8%, respectively. Although more than 25 diseases may be transmitted via blood or other bodily fluids, most attention has been focused on human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Occupational exposures are an urgent healthcare concern due to the potential risk for transmission of infectious diseases from patient to worker. Findings from this survey indicate DHWs would benefit from increased education regarding methods to prevent occupational exposures to BBPs.ĭental healthcare workers (DHWs) are at risk for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens (BBPs).
The survey revealed many dental practices were unaware of or were lacking required elements of the ECP. Fifteen percent of practices did not offer the hepatitis B vaccine for employees. Engineering controls were used by many practices, although the type varied. Seventy-two percent of survey participants had an ECP, and 20% were unaware of any federal requirements for an ECP prior to the survey. Respondents were primarily from nonfranchised practices (69%) and dentists who owned the practice (63%). Because little information is available on whether ECPs are created and used, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention conducted an online survey to determine if dental practices had an ECP, whether present ECPs had the necessary components, and if impediments existed to prevent having an ECP in place. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration Bloodborne Pathogens Standard requires employers to have a written exposure control plan (ECP) detailing methods and means to reduce and manage occupational BBP exposures. Dental healthcare workers (DHWs) are at risk for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens (BBPs).
0 kommentar(er)
