Emergency Preparedness

Kern Medical Bioterrorism Response Guide Section 2A – STANDARD AND CONTACT PRECAUTIONS SECTION 2 – BIOTERRORISM AGENTS BY CDC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ISOLATION

STANDARD PRECAUTIONS

Standard Precautions, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are designed to reduce the risk of transmission of most disease causing microorganisms in any type of health care setting regardless of the patient’s presumed or diagnosed infectious status. With the exception of smallpox, viral hemorrhagic fevers, and pneumonic plague, most infectious diseases caused by bioterrorism agents are rarely, if ever, transmitted from person-to-person. Standard Precautions should be integrated into all healthcare worker/patient care interactions that include contact with: ? Body fluids regardless of the presence or absence of visible blood(urine, feces, vomitus, wound and lesion drainage, pulmonary secretions including nasal and salivary secretions and tears) ? Skin soiled with visible blood or other body fluids ? Mucous membranes The following bioterrorist agents - diseases require Standard Precautions. ? ? Blood Non-intact skin

Bioterrorism Agents – Diseases Requiring Standard Precautions Only

? Bacillus anthracis – Anthrax (See contact Precautions) ? Brucellae species – Brucellosis ? Clostridium Botulinum - Botulism ? Coxiella burnetii - Q fever ? Francisella tularensis – Tularemia (See Contact Precautions)

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard Healthcare workers should follow facility specific policies and procedures for reducing the risk of occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials as required by the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (CAL-OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. Patient Placement

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