EUROPE 22 August, 2000

TJC-6149

MEMORANDUM FOR: Principals and school nurses

SUBJECT: DODEA BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN EXPOSURE CONTROL PROGRAM

DoDEA Regulation 4800.5 contains a list of procedures and guidelines that need to be implemented again this school year. A Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Advisor (ECA) needs to be appointed for each school. Normally, this responsibility is assigned to the school nurse. In essence, training needs to be conducted for the school staff regarding the Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan (ECP). Topics of the training should include:

transmission of bloodborne pathogens
methods for recognizing activities with exposure to bloodborne pathogens
explanation of methods to prevent or reduce exposure including engineering controls, work practice controls, protective equipment
types, use, location, handling, decontamination, and disposal of protective equipment
hepatitis B vaccination and/or declination process
labeling of BioHazards
methods for the disposal of medical wastes

Staff members will be required to sign-off that they have had ECP training. Most of the nurses in the district have conducted the training this past year. A Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Kit will be sent to the schools from the DSO according to the following schedule:

Please share this information with your nursing staff. Thanks!

Timothy Connors
District Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Agent

cc: Tom Ellinger, District Superintendent
Mary Davis, Assistant District Superintendent