Bloodborne pathogens. Can you become infected from your older patient?

1. Exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the workplace creates acute anxiety in health care workers (HCWs); however, HCWs are at a greater risk for contracting the hepatitis B virus (HBV) than for contracting the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). 2. A postexposure management program (PEMP) provides an education of the risk of infection and risk-reduction techniques; a mechanism for assessment of the source patient's risk factors and for obtaining source patient HBV and HIV serologic status; a setting in which the HCW can be periodically and confidentially tested for HIV antibody; and a formal assessment of the HCW for AZT chemoprophylaxis. 3. As in other areas of nursing practice, it is possible to be exposed to potentially infectious body fluids when caring for older patients. It is important that health care providers protect themselves with hepatitis B immunization and decrease exposure risk by the rigorous practice of universal precautions with patients in all age groups.