Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure

Welcome to the Great Basin College Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure page. Please review our full Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan.

Exposure Determination

The following conditions should be considered as constituting a potential exposure and must be reported.

1. Any needlestick with used or contaminated equipment
2. Any cut or other puncture of the skin caused by contaminated equipment, tools, scalpels, etc.
3. Any exposure of blood or other potentially infectious material (OPIM) with mucous membranes, such as contact to the mouth, eye, nostril, etc.
4. Any cutaneous exposure involving large amounts of blood or OPIM or prolonged contact, especially when the exposed skin is chapped, abraded, or afflicted with dermatitis.

Classification and Tasks Related to Job

The following people are at risk of exposure.

HBV Vaccination

Vaccination against the hepatitis B virus must be offered, under the direction of a health care provider, under the following conditions to all employees and declared volunteers whose listed job responsibilities involve contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials:

1. HBV vaccination is paid for by the employer and provided at no cost to the employee.
2. The vaccination shall be offered to employees at a reasonable time and place.
3. It shall be made available within ten working days of employee's original assignment to the position. Valid information about the vaccine must be given to the employee so that an informed decision can be made about the effectiveness of the vaccine.
4. Employees in high-risk environments such as clinicians, nurses, or phlebotomists will be offered testing for antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) one to two months after completing the three dose vaccination series. Persons who do not respond to the primary vaccine series should complete a second three dose vaccine series or be evaluated to determine if they are HBsAg positive.
5. Employees, whose job tasks involve contact with blood or OPIM, who decline to accept the vaccination, shall sign a statement declaring their refusal. Should an employee later change his or her mind, the vaccination shall be made available to them under the above detailed conditions.

Infectious Waste Material

1. All biohazardous waste must be disposed of properly.
2. Sharps, both contaminated and uncontaminated, must be collected in rigid, leak proof, puncture resistant containers that are properly labeled as biohazardous waste. Appropriate sharps containers shall be obtained by each department.
3. Solid biohazardous waste must be collected in an approved autoclavable biohazard bag and disposed of properly. Contact EH&S for guidance.

For More Information Contact

Campus Security
775-934-4923
campus.security@gbcnv.edu

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Why Great Basin College

Great Basin College, "The Gold Standard in the Silver State", offers associate and baccalaureate level education in academic, career and technical fields. Welcoming over 4,000 students annually from all corners of the country, both online and at our various campuses and centers, GBC's presence extends across two time zones and spans more than 86,000 square miles throughout Nevada. A leader in rural higher education, GBC takes pride in developing students who are well-prepared to meet the demands of industry and who contribute to the success and prosperity of the local economy.