Bloodborne and Airborne Diseases

These are the position statements from ANA regarding bloodborne and airborne diseases.  Background information regarding each of these statements is available in the Members Only section of the site. Login required. 

AIDS/HIV Disease and Socio-Culturally Diverse Populations - 4/2/93
Culture embodies the values, attitudes, beliefs and practices of a group as well as its roles and structures, communication styles, technology, art, and artifacts. The numbers of reported cases of AIDS/HIV disease are dramatically increasing in some ethnic and minority groups. The American Nurses Association (ANA) supports the provision of skilled, knowledgeable and compassionate nursing care which respects client conscience and integrity, cultural values, beliefs, relationships and the right to make choices. Comprehensive educational programs that are culturally sensitive must be targeted to diverse population groups to assure that the transmission of the AIDS/HIV epidemic is stopped in all communities. Research which increases knowledge about socio cultural diversity is needed. Continued political action and advocacy is also needed to ensure quality health care for all, regardless of age, color, creed, disability, gender, health status, lifestyle, nationality, race, religion, or sexual orientation. Background Info

Tuberculosis and HIV - 4/2/93
The American Nurses Association supports:
  • Closely monitoring the HIV-infected person for TB symptoms and screening for TB as part of their routine health care. All individuals found to be HIV positive should be offered appropriate TB test.
  • Policy development to support linkages of TB with HIV, primary care and substance abuse screening, education, treatment in accessible and convenient programs.
  • The provision of joint testing services for TB and HIV which employ confidentiality and pre & post test counseling services.
  • The ethical responsibility of nurses to engage in on-going assessment related to communicable diseases, such as TB.
  • Education for all nurses about the epidemiology, transmission, preventive strategies and symptoms of TB.
  • Employers' provision of protective equipment and appropriate safe work environment for nurses to prevent the transmission of communicable diseases such as TB.
  • Federal and state resources being applied to alleviate conditions of social deprivation (poverty, homelessness).
  • Funding for increased research to expand knowledge of HIV/TB transmission and treatment.
  • Increased participation of nurses in research for safe workplace protective equipment and technology to reduce the risk of communicable disease transmission. Continued nursing input in to federal, state and local agencies and legislative processes about TB and HIV disease concerns.
The HIV positive nurse to
  • know their TB status by following CDC recommended guidelines for ongoing assessment,
  • self-limit their nursing practice based on a case-by-case assessment of their TB status,
  • self-restrict their contact with patients, co-workers, and visitors if symptoms associated with airborne communicable disease are present,
  • adhere to prescribed medication regime for TB to decrease the opportunity for transmission of the disease.  Background Info
Needle Exchange and HIV - 4/2/93
The American Nurses Association (ANA) supports
  • the availability of needle exchange programs which include:
  • the adherence to public health and infection control guidelines,
  • education about the transmission of HIV disease
  • confidential HIV testing with pre & post-test counseling,
  • access for referral of injection drug users (IDUs) to treatment and rehabilitation services.
  • access to needle exchange programs at the local community level,
  • the development of public policy to support needle exchange programs with access to health screening and drug treatment services,
  • the utilization of qualified health care providers, including nurses, as resources for quality, cost-effective program outcomes, and
  • continued research of the effectiveness of needle exchange programs which include access to primary health care screening and drug treatment.  Background Info
Tuberculosis and Public Health Nursing - 4/2/93
The American Nurses Association Supports:
  • The use of a nursing case management model in tuberculosis control to coordinate inpatient and outpatient services; facilitate the safe delivery of TB medications to patients in the community; assure completion of therapy; and limit the transmission of the disease by identifying newly infected and diseased persons through contact investigation procedures.
  • The utilization of unlicensed assistive personnel (such as community outreach workers and public health advisors) working under the supervision and direction of nurses.
  • The enhancement of nursing's role in surveillance, assessment, treatment, and evaluation activities with priority given to nursing management of patients on treatment, as well as education and infection control practices that will promote prevention in the community and among health care workers.
  • Collaboration with other agencies to encourage research on the development and implementation of different treatment models of care to provide a full range of available treatment options for clients with TB - from outpatient services, halfway houses and respite units - to inpatient and long-term-care models.
  • Nursing research initiatives on the effectiveness of different treatment modalities in improving treatment outcomes, including the use of directly observed therapy and other adherence strategies.
  • Innovative demonstration projects to document effective strategies for surveillance and screening methods with at-risk populations.
  • Accelerated research to document the most effective control measures which will prevent the transmission of TB to nurses providing treatment. Background Info
HIV Exposure from Rape/Sexual Assault - 4/2/93
ANA supports:
  • access to immediate physical and psychological health care,
  • access to appropriate HIV testing and prophylactic treatment,
  • the provision of accurate information about risk of transmission of HIV disease,
  • access to survivor focused services which includes the recommended follow-up monitoring for HIV disease,
  • the right of every person to confidential HIV testing with pre and post test counseling,
  • research to identify
    1. the risk of HIV transmission through rape/sexual assault
    2. the effects of early intervention and treatment
    3. the incidence of rape/sexual assault in specific populations (children, men, same sex), and
  • community level Rape Crisis Centers and other agencies which provide counseling and support services for rape/sexual assault survivors.  Background Info
HIV Disease and Correctional Inmates - 9/11/92
The American Nurses Association (ANA) believes that the issues of HIV disease are varied and complex and that the health care, psychological support and management of inmates in all instances related to HIV disease should parallel that offered in the free community. The following position is recommended.  Background Info

HIV Disease and Women - 9/11/92
ANA supports:
  • The availability and accessibility of primary health care and early intervention for women.
  • Prevention programs that are culturally sensitive and culturally specific with testing and counseling information specifically for women, including access to safer sex appliances, education to increase self-esteem, and skill in negotiating safer sexual practices.
  • The integration of health care and social services for both women and their children into a "one-stop shopping" model, with adequate and appropriate case management and referral.
  • Training for clinicians and health care providers to increase their expertise in HIV risk assessment and gynecological manifestations of HIV infection/disease in women.
  • Increased research in HIV prevention for women, etiology of HIV in women, the care and treatment of women with HIV and the inclusion of women in clinical drug trials.
  • Access and availability of social services for women including child care, transportation, support groups, and provision of basic living needs (housing, food, clothing).
  • Drug treatment and rehabilitation programs for women on demand that also address the specific needs of women with children.
  • The protection of women's rights to retain custody of their children and to arrange for their care. Women should have access to assistance for in home-care for children in the event of the mother's illness and assistance with foster care and adoption if the mother predeceases her children. Background Info
 HIV Infection and Nursing Students - 4/3/92
The American Nurses Association (ANA) supports comprehensive education regarding AIDS/HIV infection for all nursing students. Nursing curriculum should include AIDS/HIV infection content including patient treatment, transmission, mechanisms for protection while delivering care to persons with AIDS/HIV infection and Hepatitis B (HBV) infection, instruction in universal precautions and occupational health and safety issues. ANA believes that the HBV vaccine should be a required component of each nursing student's pre-clinical evaluation and that schools of nursing should demonstrate 1) the availability of a post-exposure program for students who sustain exposures to AIDS/HIV and HBV infection in the clinical setting and 2) the mechanism for students to have access to healthcare services while enrolled. Schools of nursing should develop a mechanism for disability coverage for students who contract HIV or HBV infection through exposure in the clinical setting. Finally, nursing students should be assured clinical setting protections consistent with those of employees covered under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Background Info

HIV Infection and U.S. Teenagers - 12/13/91
The American Nurses Association (ANA) believes the most effective strategy in dealing with the AIDS epidemic is prevention. Increased education about the risks of HIV infection should be a priority within community health nursing practice. ANA also supports the inclusion of information related to HIV transmission in school curricula. Background Info

Education and Barrier Use for Sexually Transmitted Diseases and HIV Infection - 9/6/91 The American Nurses Association (ANA) believes sexually transmitted diseases are a major health problem in the United States. ANA supports condom advertising in the mass media as a means to prevent and control the spread of STDs. Further, ANA continues to work with the U.S. Public Health Service and other groups to educate the public on preventive measures. Background Info

Equipment/Safety Procedures to Prevent Transmission of Bloodborne Diseases - 9/6/91
The American Nurses Association (ANA) urges immediate and ongoing research and evaluation of devices and equipment intended to reduce risk of injury from sharps and of personal protective equipment designed to reduce exposure. In order to reduce the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, ANA supports the consistent and strict use of universal precautions; the availability of proven safety measures; the standardization of methods to assure equipment is safe; and the continued evaluation and modification of work practices to assure optimum safety in the workplace. Background Info

Personnel Policies and HIV in the Workplace - 9/6/91
The American Nurses Association (ANA) has a long-standing position of advocating for the rights of nurses in the workplace. ANA supports development of personnel policies which create a maximally safe and healthful environment for all workers, patients/ clients, students, and volunteers. Personnel polices should address all aspects of HIV in the workplace; protect against social and economic discrimination; reflect the most current scientific and epidemiological knowledge; and incorporate sound principles of supervision and management. Background Info

Post-Exposure Programs in the Event of Occupational Exposure to HIV/HBV - 9/6/91
The American Nurses Association (ANA) encourages the prompt access to confidential post-exposure evaluations, counseling, and follow-up by knowledgeable clinicians. These procedures should be considered the standard of care by any healthcare agency. A comprehensive post-exposure program should be in place to assure that employees receive accurate information, guidance, reassurance, and supportive care. Background Info
 
HIV Testing - 9/6/91
The American Nurses Association (ANA) opposes perpetuation of the myth that mandatory testing and mandatory disclosure of HIV status of patients and/or nurses is a method to prevent the transmission of HIV disease, and therefore does not advocate mandatory testing or mandatory disclosure of HIV status. ANA supports the availability of voluntary anonymous or confidential HIV testing which is conducted with informed consent and pre- and post-test counseling. ANA continues to support education regarding the transmission of HIV/AIDS and the use and monitoring of universal precautions to prevent HIV/AIDS transmission. Background Info

Travel Restrictions for Persons with HIV/AIDS - 9/6/91
The American Nurses Association (ANA) opposes the current U.S. State Department policy which imposes travel restrictions for visitors with HIV/AIDS. ANA believes this policy is discriminatory and infringes upon the rights and dignity of individuals with HIV/AIDS. Further, ANA supports the enactment of federal legislation to revoke the current travel restrictions. Background Info

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