Laboratory personnel have the potential of exposure to dangerous bloodborne pathogens. They may be exposed to hepatitis B virus (HBV), which can progress to fulminant hepatic failure; hepatitis C virus (HCV), which has a strong tendency to cause chronic hepatitis that can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma; or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Despite the dangers of occupational exposure, lab professionals can practice preventative measures. For example, they should avoid occupational exposure to blood and body fluids and seriously consider postexposure prophylactic combination antiretroviral therapy within hours after a needlestick exposure to HIV. All aspects of infection control are vital to the control of bloodborne illnesses.
The goal of this continuing education program is to provide laboratory professionals with state-of-the-art practices to prevent, control and manage exposures to HIV/AIDS and other bloodborne pathogens. After studying the information presented here, you will be able to:
- Identify three bloodborne pathogens that laboratory professionals could acquire through occupational exposure.
- Name three factors associated with occupational HIV transmission.
- Describe the optimal management of occupational HIV exposures, including timing of treatment and HIV testing.
Level of Instruction: Basic
This course is designed for laboratory professionals.
Gannett Education is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) Professional Acknowledgment for Continuing Education (P.A.C.E..®) Program (provider #249).
249-163-12 "Infection Control: HIV/AIDS and Other Bloodborne Pathogens" is approved 06-15-2012 to 06-15-2014.
Gannett Education is also approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel (provider #FBN 50-1489).