Biohazards in medical practice Biological hazards in medical practice
Dr. TV Rao MD.
INTRODUCTION
Bio-hazards remain a big challenge for health care workers who come into contact with patients. In a health care facility to the problem of bio-hazards rarely spread of health care workers to patients. In each of these risks of transmission channels depends on the prevalence of infected individuals in the population. While blood is the major source of HBV, HIV and other pathogens carried by the blood in health care, the transmission may also occur through accidental exposure to contaminated tissue, semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, pericardial fluid, and amniotic fluid.
Blood Borne Infections important.
The major diseases that are of great concern in health care facility.
1) Hepatitis B: there are more than 400 million carriers worldwide, there is a high risk of infection through contamination of hands, mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth with blood and other infectious fluids. The risk of HBV infection following exposure to the virus is 45-120 times.
2) The risk of HIV infection is low in the health facility. The risk of HIV infection after a needlestick exposure to infected blood percutaneous HIV is estimated at between 0.13% and 0.5%. There is no evidence that HIV or HBV is transmitted by air borne route, despite the level of occupational risk is low, the consequences of HIV infections are devastating and can not be underestimated by the medical staff
For biohazard safety precautions are followed for bio protection of healthcare workers handling patient samples from human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and other viral infections. It must be printed on the health workers to treat all patients are potentially infected with HIV / HBV or other blood pathogens, and follow the precautions of infection control.
The following guidelines as recommended by the Center for Disease Control (universal precautions) must be appreciated and practiced to protect ourselves and protect our patients from the bio-hazards.
In Day to Day Medical Practice
Handwashing 1):
Regardless of the frequency, the hand must always be thoroughly washed with meticulous attention to all areas, including the nails and interdigital space, with vigorous rubbing.
Indications for handwashing.
a) In case of prolonged contact with the patient and intense
b) Before taking care of patients particularly susceptible (immuno compromised patients or newborns)
c) Before and after invasive procedures.
d) Before and after touching wounds.
e) In situations where microbial contamination of hands is likely to occur (eg contact with blood or mucous membranes, body fluids, secretions and excretions.)
Washing hands 2) Policies and procedures:
The use of soaps and detergents not medicated liquid or solid form is effective in removing most transient contamination of hands. In special circumstances the following chemicals may be used.
a) ethyl alcohol or isopropyl approximately diluted with water in sufficient quantity for maximum bactericidal action.
b) detergent formulations containing chlorhexidine, povidone-iodine or hexachlorophene could be used for disinfecting hands
3) Wear gloves when touching blood and body fluids, mucous membranes, non-intact skin, and manipulation of objects or surfaces contaminated with body fluids.
4) Guidelines for collection of blood and other body fluids.
a) Inspect your hands. In case of breakage or an ulcer is present, wear gloves.
b.
Posted on January 8, 2010.
