[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of York County
at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
The following guidelines are general and generic in nature for
all York County operations. For specific protocols, refer to the policy
and procedure of the department concerned, most of which have case-specific
guidelines for their staff and clients. The following list of departments
contains those that are most likely to be affected by this policy
and which have their own guidelines in place:
A.
Area Agency on Aging.
B.
Children and Youth Services.
C.
Coroner.
D.
District Attorney.
E.
Domestic Relations.
F.
Emergency Management Agency.
G.
Hospital and Home.
H.
Mental Health-Mental Retardation (MH-MR); Drug and Alcohol.
I.
Parks.
J.
Prison.
K.
Probation.
L.
Sheriff.
M.
Youth Development Center.
A.
Infectious disease is an increasingly serious public health problem
which affects the criminal justice system and any social services
provider. Infectious disease risk groups are probably overrepresented
among the general population with whom these agencies deal every day.
As a result, many county employees with law enforcement, social service
and correctional functions are concerned that they are at increased
risk of acquiring an infectious disease.
B.
One of the most serious problems surrounding the public response
to infectious disease has been the large amount of misinformation
and rumor about how infection is transmitted. Fear generated from
erroneous information about several serious infectious diseases and
their transmission is prevalent among law enforcement officers and
other county employees. According to statistics obtained from the
American Civil Liberties Union's National Prison Project, there
are no documented cases of police officers, correctional officers
or deputy sheriffs contracting the HIV virus during the performance
of their job.
C.
To perform duties effectively and without fear, it is critical for
employees to understand that the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),
which causes AIDS and hepatitis B virus (HBV), is transmitted only
through blood and blood products, semen, vaginal secretions and body
fluids containing visible blood. Therefore, these employees are not
at risk unless any of these fluids from an infected person directly
enters their bloodstream.
D.
Employees in this category are not at risk during any type of casual
contact, such as that occurring during routine searches, patdowns,
handcuffing or transporting of infected persons. Therefore, even in
cases of skin contact with an infected person's perspiration,
urine, nasal secretions, saliva, vomitus, tears or clothing, these
employees need not fear infection transmission.
E.
Both HIV and HBV are difficult to transmit; these viruses are quite
fragile when outside the human body. They are susceptible to heat,
to many common household disinfectants and detergents and to washing
with simple soap and water.
The purpose of this policy is to provide York County personnel
with information concerning infectious disease in an effort to increase
safety on the job. The guidelines and procedures established by this
policy shall be followed as a precaution to or in the event of occupational
exposure to infectious disease. This policy was written in accordance
with universal precautions for preventing the transmission of infectious
disease in the workplace.
This policy applies to all employees of York County who may
be at risk of exposure and is effective immediately. It is the responsibility
of each employee to read, understand and adhere to all information
contained herein. Any questions should be directed to the Risk Manager.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
An illness characterized by one or more opportunistic infections
or cancers associated with immune deficiency. The disease attacks
the body's natural immune system, reducing a person's ability
to fight off infections and disease.
Disease-carrying microorganisms that are present in human
blood and can cause disease in humans; these include, but are not
limited to, HIV and HBV.
Fluids that may create a risk of exposure to HIV, HBV or
other bloodborne diseases. These fluids include blood; semen; vaginal
secretions; and peritoneal, cerebrospinal, synovial, pleura, pericardial
and amniotic fluids, but specifically exclude nasal secretions, saliva,
sweat, tears, urine, feces and vomit, unless blood-tinged.
Surgical-type latex or nylon disposable gloves.
A viral infection which attacks the liver.
The retrovirus which attacks the body's immune system
and has been shown to cause AIDS.
A disease capable of being passed to another by contact with
an infected individual or his or her body fluids.
Any person legally in the custody of the York County Sheriff's
Department or Prison.
Reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane or parenteral
contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that
may result from the performance of an employee's duties.
A plastic face mask with one-way valve used for cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR).
An approach to infection control whereby all human blood
and certain body fluids are treated as infectious.
A.
It is the policy of York County to recognize the potential danger
posed by bloodborne pathogens and to take all necessary precautions
to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Employees will be required
to attend infectious disease training as it becomes available.
B.
Any employee performing a task in which there is a likelihood of
exposure to bloodborne pathogens will be provided protective/preventive
equipment. Those employees assigned to positions with a potential
for exposure to Hepatitis B will be afforded vaccination shots. Anyone
who wishes to decline the vaccination must complete the appropriate
form. Forms are available in the Risk Management Department.
C.
In the event of an exposure, every possible measure will be taken
to ensure that the employee is afforded prompt medical evaluation
and treatment, as well as counseling. All employees with occupational
exposure have the responsibility to become thoroughly familiar with
the provisions of this standard operating procedure. This policy shall
be reviewed annually by the Risk Manager and updated as needed.
A.
Universal precautions:
(1)
Always wear disposable gloves when handling any person, equipment
or materials contaminated with blood or other body fluids.
(2)
Always wear a pocket mask when administering CPR.
(3)
Place all contaminated materials, except sharp objects, in a clearly
marked, waterproof bag.
(4)
Place all sharp objects in a puncture-resistant, clearly marked container.
If a puncture-resistant container is not available, carefully wrap
the sharp object in paper or cloth and place in a clearly marked envelope
or bag.
(5)
Whether wearing gloves or not, always wash hands with warm water
and soap following contact with blood or other body fluids.
(6)
Cover all open cuts or breaks in skin with a dry bandage.
(7)
Assume that all sharp objects are infectious; never bend, break or
tamper with needles.
B.
C.
Disposable gloves.
Any incident involving an employee, client or equipment exposed
to blood and/or body fluids must be followed up by the utilization
of the appropriate procedures established by this policy. All incidents
of such exposure must be reported to immediate supervisor, documented
and submitted on an exposure incident form.
A.
All high-risk employees are required to attend a review session for
a thorough discussion of this policy.
B.
All high-risk employees are required to attend infectious disease-related
training as it becomes available in the department.
C.
Information on infectious disease in the workplace is located in
the Risk Manager's office and/or other appropriate office and
is available to all personnel upon request.
A.
Pursuant to federal and state law, medical records of all persons
are confidential. This confidentiality of medical records extends
to all employees, inmates, outmates, detainees, residents and clients.
B.
Institutional and/or other medical staff may not release any information
regarding the subject's medical condition.
For a more comprehensive understanding of the rationale of this
policy, the following is a partial list of references:
A.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome: 100 Questions and Answers, National
Sheriffs' Association.
B.
AIDS: Improving the Response of the Correctional System, National
Institute of Corrections, United States Department of Justice.
C.
AIDS and the Law Enforcement Officer: Concerns and Policy Responses,
National Institute of Justice, United States Department of Justice,
by Abt Associates, Inc.
D.
OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Rules, Pathfinders Associates, Inc.
E.
Confidentiality of HIV-Related Information Act, Act of 1990, P.L.
585, No. 148, United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety
and Health Administration.
F.
Worker Exposure to AIDS and Hepatitis B, United States Department
of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
G.
Guide to Developing and Managing an Emergency Service Infection Control
Program, United States Fire Administration, March 1992, FA-112.
A.
Carry protective disposable gloves at all times.
B.
Put on disposable gloves when there is a possibility of contact with
any blood or body fluid.
C.
Use disposable gloves when touching any object contaminated with
blood. (Gloves may destroy fingerprints on evidence).
D.
Turn disposable gloves inside out as they are removed.
E.
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 seconds
after removing gloves and after any contact with blood or body fluids.
F.
Clean up blood and body fluids thoroughly and promptly, wearing disposable
gloves. Wipe the area with a paper towel, then use a mixture of household
bleach and water (one-to-ten solution) or powdered bleach on the spill.
G.
Keep all cuts and open wounds covered with a clean bandage.
H.
Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes when you work in areas where
you might get blood or body fluids on your hands.
J.
Make sure immunizations are up-to-date.
