CLINICAL LAB SCIENEC

138
ESSENTIALS OF CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE
FIGURE 6-8 Engineering controls, where a biohazardous
container is used for disposal of nonsharp objects.
Source: Delmar/Cengage Learning.
Accidental inoculation through needle sticks or shared razors and toothbrushes
has been documented on rare occasions. Fecal-oral transmission has not
been demonstrated for either hepatitis B or HIV, but is associated with hepatitis A,
another important disease that is more easily spread than hepatitis B but does
not have the important medical ramifications that HBV infections do. The
incubation period for HBV is about 45 to 180 days, with an average of 60- to
90-days elapsing from the exposure incident to the onset of signs and symptoms.
The amount of inoculum or dose (number of organisms or materials containing
the organisms entering the body) accounts for the differences in time before
symptoms appear, as larger doses of inoculum most often result in the quicker
manifestation of signs and symptoms. Preventive measures are similar to those
for HIV .
Procedures for cleaning and disinfecting areas where blood and body fluid
spills have occurred before an unprotected person comes into contact with the
material are most effective in preventing spread of the organism. After properly
disposing of biohazardous wastes (Figure 6-8), surfaces and objects contaminated
by blood, blood products, or body fluids must first be cleaned with detergent
and water and then disinfected.
Proper cleaning of work areas is of paramount importance. Disposable
gloves are mandatory when handling blood or injuries accompanied by bleeding,
or bloody and body fluid –contaminated items , as well as when cleaning or
disinfecting work surfaces or clothing. Open cuts , rashes, or sores on the hands
require special precautions when removing the gloves and when washing the
hands. Extreme care should be taken when handling needles or sharp instruments
and supplies. Hand washing immediately following contact with any
body fluids is required even when gloves are worn. It is possible that the outside
of the gloves may come into contact with portions of the hands when removing
the gloves. Wash hands thoroughly and vigorously with soap and running water
for a minimum of 30 seconds. Also, please note that hands should be washed
BOTH before donning gloves and after removing
them following completion of disinfection
of work surfaces or treatment of a patient with
injuries or illness of an unknown etiology .
Postinfection treatment for hepatitis B is not
currently available, so prevention is of the essence.
Therefore, avoiding infection through preventive
measures is the best protection against this disease.
Prophylaxis is the most effective manner
of preventing spread of any infectious disease,
along with conscientious cleaning and use of
aseptic techniques in the treatment of patients.
The word prophylaxis means “to prevent disease”
from occurring. Immediately following a
probable exposure to a biohazardous material or
an infectious patient, hepatitis B immune globulin
(HBIG), which contains antibodies against
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