MAO Manual

Fluids Requiring Protection under BSI The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standard requires that trainees learn a few fluids that require protective gear: - Blood - Sexual secreation (semen & vaginal secretions) - Cerebrospinal fluid - Synovial fluid - Pleural fluid - Saliva in a dental procedure - Any fluid with visible blood/OPIM or any fluid which cannot be identified While it is useful to know which type of fluids are infectious, an MAVO should exercise caution and protect himself from any fluids coming from a patient.

Engineering Controls Your employer has likely taken some steps to modifying the workspace to prevent illnesses from occuring. These are called engineering controls, and examples in an MAV operation include hand sanitizer dispensers that might be placed on the MAV unit. Some of the facilities you transport patient to and from may also have designated medical waste containers where contaminated products may be disposed of. Work Practices As a responsible professional, there are steps you should take to insure that you minimize the chances of being infected with an illness. Steps that you consciously take to minimize the chances of being exposed to disease are called work practices . Examples of work practices include frequent handwashing, using proper containers, and avoiding ‘bad habits’ that increase the chances of being exposed such as driving with used gloves on. Protective Equipment Wherever contact with blood or bodily fluid cannot be avoided with engineering controls or work practices, an MAVO should use protective equipment. For example, if an MAVO must assist a patient who fell and cut his head, an MAVO should don gloves before assisting the patient. Other examples of protective equipment include rescue breathing shields. Body Substance Isolation Since so many carriers of HIV or Hepatitis have no symptoms and look very normal, it is important for an MAVO to exercise caution when dealing with patients. The expectation from OSHA is that an MAVO use Body Substance Isolation. This means that regardless of the appearance of the patient, the MAVO will use protective gear and good decision making when possibly contacting the patient’s blood or bodily fluid. Whether the patient looks young or old, sick or healthy, rich or poor, the MAVO will protect himself with a piece of protective gear before possibly

Protective Gear: Rescue Breathing Mask Protective Gear: Rescue Breathing Mask Hepatitis B Vaccination Depending on the level of exposure at your workplace, your employer may choose to offer you vaccination against Hepatitis B. This vaccination is created from a genetically engineered yeast product, and is not derived from real virus. The vaccination is given in three doses over six months, and upon completion of the vaccination series confers better than 90% immunity to Hepatitis B. Your employer will schedule you for Hepatitis B vaccination if he or she offers it in your MAV company.