What is meant by "source control" in an exposure incident?

"Source control" in the context of an exposure incident refers to the practice of eliminating or minimizing exposure to the infectious source. This concept is crucial in the management of bloodborne pathogen exposure, as it aims to reduce the risk of transmission of infectious agents following an incident.

Effective source control involves identifying how an exposure occurred and implementing measures to prevent future incidents. This could include practices such as using personal protective equipment (PPE) properly, applying appropriate disinfection protocols, and ensuring that safety devices on medical equipment are in place and used correctly. By focusing on minimizing exposure, source control protects both the individual who has been exposed and others who may come into contact with the same infectious agent.

The other options, while relevant to incident management and response, do not specifically address the core purpose of source control. Blocking access to the area may help contain a situation but does not directly minimize exposure to the infectious source itself. Documenting the incident details is essential for record-keeping and future reference but does not prevent or mitigate exposure in real-time. Reporting the incident to authorities is important for compliance and potential follow-up actions, but again, it does not specifically deal with the control of the source of exposure at the moment it occurs.