Fixed human tissues are not potentially infectious with bloodborne pathogens and therefore are not considered OPIM.
The bloodborne pathogens standard defines regulated waste as liquid or semi-liquid blood or other potentially infectious material (OPIM); contaminated items that would release blood or OPIM in a liquid or semi-liquid state if compressed; items that are caked with dried blood or OPIM and are capable of releasing these
Potentially infectious blood and body fluids include
- fluids containing visible blood.
- semen.
- vaginal secretions.
- cerebrospinal fluid.
- synovial fluid, pleural fluid.
- peritoneal fluid.
- pericardial fluid.
- amniotic fluid.
Germs that can have a long-lasting presence in human blood and disease in humans are called bloodborne pathogens. The most common and dangerous germs spread through blood in the hospital are: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). These viruses cause infections and liver damage.
Note: Urine and feces, among other body fluids not listed above, are NOT OPIM, and therefore, items contaminated with any amount of these body fluids do not carry enough BBP to be considered RMW.
Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Needlesticks and other sharps-related injuries may expose workers to bloodborne pathogens.
OPIMs include semen, vaginal secretions, blood, and several internal body fluids. Sweat, tears, saliva (except in dental procedures), urine, feces, and vomitus are not considered OPIMs unless they contain visible blood or OPIM.
| OPIM | Other Potentially Infectious Material Medical |
|---|
| OPIM | Office of Patent Information Management Business » Management -- and more |
| OPIM | One Point Implementation Methodology Miscellaneous » Unclassified |
| OPIM | Other Pathogens Infecting Material Miscellaneous » Unclassified |
| OPIM | Other Potential Infectious Material Medical |
The six links include: the infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host. The way to stop germs from spreading is by interrupting this chain at any link.
Other Potentially Infectious Materials (OPIMs)Unless visibly contaminated with blood, other bodily fluids, such as urine, feces, vomit, tears, sweat, sputum, and nasal secretions are not considered to be other potentially infectious materials of bloodborne pathogens.
Examples of non-intact skin include: cuts, scratches, abrasions, or sores. Protect yourself by covering breaks in skin with waterproof Band-Aids before applying gloves or coming into contact with body fluids.
In addition, ATCC stated “As of January 1, 2010, all human cell lines accessioned into the ATCC general collection are tested for the adventitious agents HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HPV, EBV, and CMV.
2. Assume It's All Infectious and Implement Controls. Under OSHA's concept of universal precautions, all human blood and OPIM should be treated as if they contain bloodborne pathogens. Engineering and work practice controls must be implemented, such as safer medical devices, sharps disposal containers and hand hygiene.
Items that are simply contaminated with small absorbed amounts of blood or OPIM may be placed in a regular plastic-lined trash container. OSHA requires that containers for contaminated sharps must be puncture-resistant. The sides and the bottom must be leak-proof.
Mouth pipetting is prohibited; mechanical pipetting devices must be used. Policies for the safe handling of sharps, such as needles, scalpels, pipettes, and broken glassware must be developed and implemented.
Bloodborne pathogens are transmitted by coming in contact with contaminated blood and through bodily fluids that contain visible blood. Bodily fluids such as urine, feces, vomit, saliva, sweat and tears are not carriers of bloodborne pathogens unless they contain visible blood.
Standard Precautions
- Hand hygiene.
- Use of personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, masks, eyewear).
- Respiratory hygiene / cough etiquette.
- Sharps safety (engineering and work practice controls).
- Safe injection practices (i.e., aseptic technique for parenteral medications).
- Sterile instruments and devices.
OSHA defines a BBP exposure incident as contact via specific sites with blood or OPIM that results from the performance of a worker's duties. A BBP exposure incident occurs when contact with blood or OPIM occurs in one of the following manners: Contact with the eyes, mouth, or other mucous membrane (eg, nose)
The Plan describes how the employer will:
- Use engineering and work practice controls to minimize the employee‟s exposure.
- Ensure use of personal protective equipment.
- Provide training.
- Provide medical surveillance.
- Provide Hepatitis B vaccinations.
- Use signs and labels.
BBP
| Acronym | Definition |
|---|
| BBP | Better Buying Power (US DoD) |
| BBP | Binary Backoff Procedure |
| BBP | Bauch-Beine-Po (workout) |
| BBP | Blood Borne Pathogen |
To effectively eliminate or minimize exposure to bloodborne pathogens, Standard Precautions, instituted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be followed. These include the use of Universal Precautions, Engineering Controls, Work Practice Controls, PPE, and Housekeeping Procedures.
The bloodborne pathogens program (BBP) is a safety program aimed at protecting employees who may be exposed to human blood, primary or established human cell lines, or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) while at work.
The Bloodborne Pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) and CDC's recommended standard precautions both include personal protective equipment, such as gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection (e.g., goggles), and face shields, to protect workers from exposure to infectious diseases.
What are some biohazard examples?
- Human blood and blood products. This includes items that have been contaminated with blood and other body fluids or tissues that contain visible blood.
- Animal waste.
- Human body fluids.
- Microbiological wastes.
- Pathological waste.
- Sharps waste.
Body fluids which constitute a higher risk of containing potential biohazards include:
- Human blood and blood products, including plasma, serum, and blood components.
- Semen and vaginal secretions.
- Vomit or feces.
Biohazardous waste, also called infectious waste or biomedical waste, is any waste containing infectious materials or potentially infectious substances such as blood. Of special concern are sharp wastes such as needles, blades, glass pipettes, and other wastes that can cause injury during handling.
Included in this division are bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Examples of biohazardous infectious materials include the AIDS/HIV virus, Hepatitis B and salmonella.
Only some body fluids have the potential to be infectious. In someone not taking HIV treatment (ART), these include: Sexual fluids (semen and vaginal fluid).
These materials are microorganisms, nucleic acids or proteins that cause, or are a probable cause, of infection, with or without toxicity, in humans or animals. Included in this hazard class are bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.
Body fluids, such as sweat, tears, vomit or urine may contain and pass on these viruses when blood is present in the fluid, but the risk is low.
But the precautions aren't absolutely needed if you don't see any blood when you come in contact with other body fluids, such as:
- Breast milk.
- Stool.
- Mucus from the nose or lungs.
- Sweat.
- Tears.
- Urine.
- Vomit.
Biohazard level 2: These agents can cause severe illness in healthy humans, but can only cause infection through direct contact with infected material or through ingestion. Examples of a level 2 biohazard are HIV, salmonella, and hepatitis B.
