NCJ Number
143761
Date Published
Unknown
Length
43 pages
Annotation
The Virginia General Assembly requested that a study be conducted to address training and testing issues related to HIV and public safety personnel; specific study objectives were to assess the need for public safety personnel training in how to prevent exposure to communicable diseases, develop training standards, consider the efficacy of requiring training and certification as emergency medical technicians for appropriate personnel, and examine other issues related to HIV testing and public safety personnel (confidentiality, search and seizure, privacy, and test effectiveness).
Abstract
The study was staffed by the Division of Training and Standards within Virginia's Department of Criminal Justice Services. The study committee attempted to address prevailing concerns about HIV and hepatitis B (HBV) and the need to receive accurate, timely, and regular information about HIV, HBV, and other communicable diseases. Using recently passed Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) regulations on bloodborne pathogens as a guide, the committee developed several training recommendations and a model training outline for public safety personnel. The committee recommended that public safety personnel receive training in airborne pathogen disease prevention; that volunteers and paid employees receive the same training; that training be provided in such legal areas as confidentiality, privacy, search and seizure, the Americans With Disabilities Act, agency and personal liability, workman's compensation, health insurance coverage, and life insurance benefits; that local health and public safety agencies combine their resources to meet OSHA/VOSH regulations; that the Virginia General Assembly create a multiagency coordinating committee to address ongoing issues related to infection control for public safety personnel; and that postexposure management be provided to public safety personnel when occupational exposure incidents occur. Appendixes contain additional information on legislation relevant to HIV and public safety personnel and occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, the proposed training outline for public safety personnel, and a summary of Virginia statutes on communicable diseases.