Weird Question: Universal Precautions

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

Ok, what does OSHA not include in the list of body fluids for universal precautions? I can't get a definitive answer and everything I google contradicts itself. And of course, the OSHA website is so convoluted that I can't find a current reg.

[jacqui in mo]

From my days as a ST in nursing homes you treated all bodily fluids with universal precautions--hand washing, gloves, etc. Is there a step above Universal precautions for say, blood, that I don't remember?

BTW, this is my very first post in the new forum & I'm pleased as punch.

Jacqui

[Amy loves Bud]

Is this what you need?

"Universal precautions apply to blood, other body fluids containing visible blood, semen, and vaginal secretions. Universal precautions also apply to tissues and to the following fluids: cerebrospinal, synovial, pleural, peritoneal, pericardial, and amniotic fluids. Universal precautions do not apply to feces, nasal secretions, sputum, sweat, tears, urine, and vomitus unless they contain visible blood. Universal precautions do not apply to saliva except when visibly contaminated with blood or in the dental setting where blood contamination of saliva is predictable."


http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/bp_universal_precautions.html

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

Well, that's what I found, too, but I wondered if OSHA regs were a step above (more cautious than) CDC?

I chose "no" when asked if UP's included all bodily fluids except sweat, but it was wrong. And I don't know if it is that they think (and when I say "they think," I mean that I do not have a bit of faith that they (the whoevers who crafted this quiz) actually KNOW) that it includes sweat, or if they don't know that it doesn't include all the exceptions, which is how *I* was answering the question.

I think they had more in mind about what Jacqui meant. But I think they may be making up their own definition of universal precautions so that we'll be universally cautious.

(Don't mind me, I'm just kinda snarly about my school today. Do you know they haven't sent in the verification for the Dec 07 grads yet so that they can take their leaving exam and get licensed? I swear if they do that to me next year, I'm taking them to small claims court and suing them for lost wages. *snarl* One ridiculous administrative foul-up after another since before I got rejected-then-oops-admitted. I'm just tetchy and hormonal. I'll be ok tomorrow.)

[Amy loves Bud]

Oh. Ugh.

What about this?

"Other Potentially Infectious Materials means (1) The following human body fluids: semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood, and all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids; (2) Any unfixed tissue or organ (other than intact skin) from a human (living or dead); and (3) HIV-containing cell or tissue cultures, organ cultures, and HIV- or HBV-containing culture medium or other solutions; and blood, organs, or other tissues from experimental animals infected with HIV or HBV. "

Maybe the italicized part is where they got you? All fluids are subject to UP if visibly contaminated, or difficult to differentiate? That seems like and incredibly wrong way to test the understanding of this material, though.

Here's the link:

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10051

I understand your frustration. Have some chocolate. And some wine. Here you go. :)

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

I understand your frustration. Have some chocolate. And some wine. Here you go. :)

Oh, that's exactly what I need! Thank you muchly! [raises glass]