Bloodborne Pathogens

Program

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Department of University Safety and Assurances oversees the Bloodborne Pathogens Program. The bloodborne pathogens program (BBP) is a safety program aimed at protecting all employees who may be exposed to human blood, primary or established human cell lines, or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) while at work. Blood or OPIM can contain disease-causing viruses such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV, as risk known as occupational exposure.

Training

Employees and students who may encounter human blood or other potentially infectious materials receive annual training.

For non-research staff: Bloodborne pathogen training can be found by logging into Canvas using your ePather ID. You can self-enroll in the Bloodborne Pathogens Training once you are signed into to Canvas. The course consists of a video presentation and a quiz. Passing the course requires a minimum score of 80% on the quiz. 

For Researchers (PIs, students, and other faculty/ staff specifically working with human cells/ tissues, blood, or other human body fluids): All Bloodborne Pathogens Training is done through CITI Program. Register using your UWM account and affiliate with UWM.

To set up your account:

  1. Visit the CITI training website.
  2. If you are not registered, create an account. Click “Register” on the right side of the screen. In the box for Organization Affiliation, enter “University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee” and select it from the list. If you are already registered, move to step 3 after logging in with your account information (note: you must be affiliated with UWM to enroll in the course).
  3. Select the “Biosafety/ Biosecurity Series” to see the list of courses.
  4. Select “OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens”
  5. Complete the training. A score of at least 80% is required before a completion report will be issued.
  6. If you have trouble logging in, contact citisupport@med.miami.edu or schne438@uwm.edu.

Note:

  • You do not have to complete it all at once, it will save itself as you go along.
  • You can review and re-take quizzes until you reach at least an 80%.
  • You can log-in at any point and print out completion certificates and reports, you do not need to contact the Biosafety Officer for this information.
  • You will get automatic reminders to renew your training.
  • Keep a copy of your completion report for your own records. It may be requested during a lab inspection or by some funding agencies.
  • You do NOT need to send a copy to the UWM Biosafety Program unless it is specifically requested. We have access to all completion reports done through UWM.

 

Files

UWM Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan for Non-Researchers: This plan is for the Non-Researchers at UWM. Please complete the contact information, print out a copy, and keep in an easily accessible location for employees to review.

UWM Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan for Researchers: This plan is for the Researchers at UWM handling human or mammalian blood, cells, or tissues. This includes all PIs handling established cell lines.

Hepatitis B Consent or Declination Form: All employees deemed to be “at-risk” of occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials must be offered the Hepatitis B vaccine at the cost to the department/ division. The Hepatitis B Vaccination Consent or Declination form is the record each department/ division will maintain for each employee in their respective record-keeping sites.

  • HIPAA regulations regarding public health information, such as the case for disclosure of interest in the Hepatitis B vaccine, fall under HIPAA regulations regarding public health information, fall under 45 CFR 164.512(a): Uses and disclosures for which an authorization or opportunity to agree or object is not required. (a)Standard: Uses and disclosures required by law. (1) A covered entity may use or disclose protected health information to the extent that such use or disclosure is required by law and the use or disclosure complies with and is limited to the relevant requirements of such law. (2) A covered entity must meet the requirements described in paragraph (c), (e), or (f) of this section for uses or disclosures required by law.
  • Thus, the OSHA regulations requiring staff to decline vaccination to be recorded is not a part of HIPAA and therefore is not subject to the same policies and procedures as a general vaccine record may be, so this is a case in which OSHA > HIPAA.
  • The record of actual vaccination with the healthcare provider does fall under HIPAA and we cannot require anyone to provide that documentation under this same guideline.
  • Supplements: Recombivax Vaccine Insert, Engerix B Vaccine Insert