Integrating the Occupational Safety & Health Administration mandates on bloodborne pathogens in the practice setting

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration Bloodborne Pathogen Standard was developed to reduce the risk of exposure of healthcare workers to hepatitis B and C, human immunodeficiency virus, and other bloodborne pathogens. This can only be achieved if all healthcare workers continue to work to understand, adhere to, and enforce this mandate. The requirements of the Occupational Safety & Health Administration Standard will be discussed, including an exposure control plan, engineering and work practice controls, training, and hepatitis B vaccination. The risk to healthcare workers will be discussed in terms of the relevant pathogens, the extent of contamination, the risks associated with different occupations, and transmissibility. Finally, assessment and management of actual exposure incidents, as mandated by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration Standard, will be described.