EMS: Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention
People who do EMS (Emergency Medical Services) work are at a higher risk of being exposed to disease. Two ways this can happen are through bloodborne pathogens and needlesticks.
Requirements for EMS protection
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has two laws that apply to all EMS workers. The goal of these laws is to keep EMS workers safe:
- Bloodborne Pathogens Standard—Requires a Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan for each service.
- The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act—Says that if there’s a safety device available, it must be used for staff safety. The exception is if there’s a patient safety issue that overrides the staff safety issue. Safety devices include:
- Needleless systems.
- Safer medical devices, such as sharps with built-in sharps injury protections.
- Self-sheathing needles (locks needle in place).
- Sharps disposal containers.
Both laws are meant to keep EMS staff safe if exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials.
Safety device requirements
Each year, during the review of a service’s Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan, services must:
- Ask about new or upcoming safer device options.
- Write down any possible safer devices in the Exposure Control Plan.
- Use the new devices soon after the service has been trained on how to use them.
Services always must have safety devices available. If a safety device or measure (also called an engineering control) is not available, the Exposure Control Plan must explain why. The device may not be available because of shipping delays, a supply shortage, or another reason. While waiting for the device, services must use work practice controls. If there is still risk of exposure, they also must use personal protective equipment.
Services must use a safety device as soon as it’s available and adjust the Exposure Control Plan.