This webinar was recorded live on June 20, 2023.
It is available on demand through June 30, 2025.
Register above for access.
DESCRIPTION
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.
TARGET AUDIENCE
This activity is designed for physicians, lab supervisors, lab directors (and/or assistant directors), lab managers (supervisory and/or non-supervisory), and other laboratory professionals overseeing/conducting within this topic.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After attending this session, participants will be able to:
- Discuss how the pandemic has influenced injury and exposure rates.
- List the requirements of OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and the NSPA.
- Provide recent EPINet injury and exposure data.
- Summarize strategies for needlestick injury prevention, control, and disposal especially as it relates to highest risk activities.
- Recognize the importance of utilizing a surveillance system to capture blood and body fluid exposure data.
FACULTY
Amber Mitchell, DrPH, MPH
President/Executive Director, International Safety Center
League City, TX
DISCLOSURES AND STATEMENT OF INDEPENDENCE
The Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (formerly AACC) is dedicated to ensuring balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all educational activities. All participating planning committee members and faculty are required to disclose to the program audience any financial relationships related to the subject matter of this program. Disclosure information is reviewed in advance in order to manage and resolve any possible conflicts of interest. The intent of this disclosure is to provide participants with information on which they can make their own judgments.
The following faculty reported no relevant financial relationships:
- Amber Mitchell, DrPH, MPH
CONTENT VALIDITY
All recommendations involving clinical medicine are based on evidence accepted within the profession of medicine as adequate justification for their indications and contraindications in the care of patients; AND/OR all scientific research referred to or reported in support or justification of a patient care recommendation conforms to generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis.
ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
This activity is approved for 1.0 ACCENT® continuing education credits. Activity ID# 4223. This activity was planned in accordance with ACCENT® Standards and Policies.
SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION STATEMENT
Verification of Participation certificates are provided to registered participants based on completion of the activity, in its entirety, and the activity evaluation. For questions regarding continuing education, please email [email protected].