AIDS, Hepatitis and the Emergency Responder

©JRT Associates 2008

• OSHA-mandated Universal Precautions
• Handwashing techniques
• Protective clothing and equipment
• How to handle contaminated clothing and equipment
• How to safely clean and decontaminate surfaces that may have become infected
• Avoiding needle stick wounds
• Avoiding contamination during mouth to mouth
• Procedures to follow if exposed
• Demonstrates how to safely put on and remove gloves, goggles, and masks
• Waste disposal

Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms in human blood that cause disease in humans. Both HIV, the virus which causes AIDS, and the hepatitis B virus, are bloodborne pathogens. In an emergency situation, there is no way that police, fire fighters, EMS and other emergency responders can identify whether a victim is a carrier of disease. For this reason, all victims and all blood must be treated as if infected. This program teaches lifesaving lessons about protection against bloodborne pathogens.