Summary:
Respiratory therapists work in a world fraught with bloodborne pathogens. They may be exposed to hepatitis B virus, which can progress to fulminant hepatic failure; hepatitis C virus, which can cause chronic hepatitis; or human immunodeficiency virus. As of September 2007, there have been 57 documented seroconversions of healthcare workers following exposure to HIV-infected individuals. No new documented cases of occupationally acquired HIV/AIDS have been reported since December 2000, although several cases are in various stages of investigation.Prospective studies of healthcare workers following exposure to HIV-infected blood have reported a seroconversion rate of approximately 1 in 300. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that each year 385,000 needlesticks and other sharps-related injuries are sustained by hospital-based healthcare workers. Despite the dangers of occupational exposure, RTs can arm themselves with a variety of preventive measures.
Objectives:
The goal of this continuing education program is to provide respiratory therapists with state-of-the-art practices to prevent, control, and manage exposures to HIV/AIDS and other bloodborne pathogens. After you study the information presented here, you will be able to —
- Identify three bloodborne pathogens that respiratory therapists could acquire through occupational exposure.
- Name three factors associated with occupational HIV transmission.
- Describe the optimal management of occupational HIV exposures, including timing of treatment and HIV testing.
Approval Information
This CE course is approved for respiratory therapists from 1/11/2012 to 1/11/2014.
This program has been approved for 1 contact hour of Continuing Respiratory Care Education (CRCE) credit by the American Association for Respiratory Care, 9425 N. MacArthur Blvd., Suite 100, Irving, TX 75063. AARC Sponsor ID: 9514012. This is a non-traditional course.
If you are a respiratory therapist, remember to give us your AARC member number when filling out your license number information.
Gannett Education is also approved by the Florida Board of Respiratory Care (provider #FBN 50-1489).