Don the barriers

Abstract

Health care workers (HCWs) have many "barriers" at their disposal to protect them from risk of occupational exposures to bloodborne pathogens or communicable diseases. These barriers include the daily use of personal protective attire, such as gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection; following appropriate isolation precautions; using work practice controls, such as safety needles; using preventive methods less frequently needed, such as vaccination against the hepatitis B virus, annual influenza vaccinations, and prompt reporting of occupational exposures. Proactive and consistent use of these barriers makes any health care environment a safer place to work.