Webinar: The Risks of Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure: What Role the Clinical Laboratory Can Play in Reducing Occupational Needlesticks and Blood Exposures

Event Organizer: American Association for Clinical Chemistry

Event Website: https://www.aacc.org/education/all-webinars/webinars/2023/june/the-risks-of-bloodborne-pathogen-exposure

Event Overview:

“Healthcare providers and clinical laboratorians are routinely exposed to the dangers of bloodborne pathogens such as hepatitis, HIV, and MRSA by sample collection and needlestick. This occupational exposure by needlestick injury continues to be a significant problem despite the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and Needlestick Safety & Prevention Act (NSPA). As the pandemic recedes, it is crucial that laboratorians evaluate the impact that this public health emergency had on the safety of healthcare workers and learn how to better protect the laboratory from the dangers of needlestick injury and mucocutaneous exposures.

In this webinar, Dr. Amber Mitchell, a leading expert in occupational safety and surveillance, provides a background on OSHA standards and the NSPA, as well as the work of the International Safety Center. She explains the value of surveillance systems such as the freely available Exposure Prevention Information Network (EPINet) and highlights its latest data showing how the pandemic influenced injury and exposure rates. Dr. Mitchell will also review best practices, especially as it relates to the highest risk activities, and discusses potential solutions for preventing occupational exposures. Healthcare providers and clinical laboratorians at all levels are encouraged to learn more about the common dangers of occupational exposure and ways to protect themselves and their coworkers from bloodborne pathogens.”

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