Healthcare Infection Prevention & Bloodborne Pathogens Foundations™

What you will learn

This program has four parts. By the end of each part, you should be able to:

Part 1: Foundations of Infection Prevention

• Describe the six links in the chain of infection and the main ways germs travel in healthcare settings.
• Explain what healthcare-associated infections and multidrug-resistant organisms are and why preventing them matters.
• Identify the key moments for hand hygiene and choose correctly between alcohol-based hand rub and soap and water.
• List the elements of Standard Precautions and explain how they differ from OSHA Universal Precautions.
• Select personal protective equipment based on the expected exposure and describe CDC example sequences for putting it on and taking it off.
• Distinguish OSHA requirements from CDC recommendations and organizational policy, and report infection risks within your role.

Part 2: Bloodborne Pathogens & the OSHA Standard

• Describe hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV and explain how bloodborne pathogens are and are not transmitted at work.
• Explain the purpose and scope of the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and the meaning of occupational exposure, OPIM and Universal Precautions.
• Describe how federal OSHA and OSHA-approved State Plans apply the standard.
• Identify the required contents of an Exposure Control Plan, including the exposure determination, annual review, safer devices and employee input.
• Summarize employer duties for hepatitis B vaccination, training, recordkeeping, confidentiality and labeling.
• Distinguish legal requirements from CDC recommendations, organizational policy and scope of practice.

Part 3: Preventing Exposure – Controls, Sharps & the Environment

• Explain the hierarchy of controls and the difference between engineering controls, work practice controls and PPE.
• Describe how sharps injuries happen, the purpose of the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act and the main types of safer sharps devices.
• Apply OSHA rules on recapping, sharps containers, food and drink, specimens, splashes and contaminated equipment.
• Describe OSHA housekeeping, laundry and regulated waste requirements and the general steps for cleaning up a blood spill.
• Explain the Spaulding categories and how to use disinfectants according to the label.
• Recognize which tasks require specialist training, such as device reprocessing, and report hazards in the care environment.

Part 4: Exposure Incidents & Transmission-Based Precautions

• Recognize an exposure incident and describe the immediate first aid steps for needlesticks, cuts and splashes.
• Explain why exposures must be reported right away and why time matters for post-exposure care.
• Describe the confidential post-exposure evaluation and follow-up the employer must offer, including source testing, consent and the written opinion.
• Explain the basics of post-exposure prophylaxis and who decides on it, without naming medicines or doses.
• Describe Contact, Droplet and Airborne Precautions and when respirators and the Respiratory Protection Standard apply.
• Recognize special situations such as multidrug-resistant organisms, C. difficile, tuberculosis and outbreaks, and help build a safety culture.

Program details

• Self-paced online program for healthcare professionals
• Program length: 10 hours, in four parts
• Includes graded assessments you must pass to complete the program
• Earn a downloadable Certificate of Completion upon successful program completion—ideal for documenting professional development and submitting to your employer for potential reimbursement
• Each certificate has a verification ID that employers can check at nahcp.com/verify

This program can help you prepare for your employer’s bloodborne pathogens training, but it does not replace it. Under the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, your employer must train you on its own Exposure Control Plan and give you the chance to ask a knowledgeable trainer questions. This program is not medical advice and does not teach or sign off hands-on clinical skills.

Program length describes the length of the program, not a number of continuing-education credits. Check with your employer or licensing board before submitting a program for credit or reimbursement.