Blood/Body Fluid Exposures
Occupational exposure to blood/body fluids and other potentially infectious materials should be reported immediately to University Health Services.
What is classified as an exposure to blood/body fluids?
An exposure occurs when there is a puncture, scratch, laceration, splash, prolonged skin contact or contact with broken skin involving blood, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials.
What kinds of body fluids and materials are potentially infectious?
Body fluids of concern include: semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, pericardial fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, and other body fluids visibly contaminated with blood. Any unfixed tissue or organ from a human is potentially infectious as are cell or tissue cultures, organ cultures, and culture medium or other solutions from experimental animals infected with HIV or hepatitis B.
What should I do if I am exposed?
If you are exposed to someone's blood, body fluids or other potentially infectious materials -- DO NOT IGNORE THIS EXPOSURE!!
Here are the steps you should take:
1. Take appropriate first aid measures (bleed the wound if you can; clean wound with soap and water; flush mucous membranes with water/saline for 15 minutes)
2. Get the name, medical record number and location of exposure source
3. Notify your supervisor/preceptor so he/she can complete the Tennessee First Report of Injury and mail it to Risk Management within 48 hours
4. Report, in person, to University Health Services ® 910 Madison Ave, Suite 922.
5. If exposure occurs after hours, call 448-5630 to get the provider on call.
What should I do if I am exposed to the blood or body fluid from an animal source?
Animal care workers are at risk for rabies, herpes B virus, Q-fever, and other zoonotic infections. All faculty/staff who are exposed should report to UHS.
NOTE: You will still need to come to UHS on the next business day to ensure proper documentation and follow-up if you are seen in the Emergency Department.
REMEMBER: Post exposure prophylaxis should be initiated as soon as possible if indicated (preferably within 1-2 hours after exposure but up to 24 hours after the exposure).
A. PROCESS FOR STUDENTS, EMPLOYEES, RESIDENTS:
Blood and Body Fluid Exposures
If you have had a blood and body fluid exposure, please follow the following instructions.
1. You must report to University Health Services (UHS) after an exposure if it happens during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday).
2. If the exposure happens after hours, on weekends or holidays, report to the facility’s Employee Health Office or Emergency Department. If the exposure occurs at a hospital, go to the Emergency Department at that hospital. If it occurs on campus at times when UHS is closed, go to Methodist University or the Med.
IF YOU ARE AN EMPLOYEE OR A RESIDENT: Notify your supervisor immediately and have them complete the State of Tennessee, Accident Report Form prior to being seen at UHS. This must be submitted to the Worker’s Compensation office in 910 Madison Ave, Suite 722. This form is essential for documentation of occurrence and determination of benefits through Worker’s Compensation.
IF YOU ARE A STUDENT: Have the facility file all charges on your insurance. The campus sponsored plan has this coverage. If you are on another insurance plan, other than Aetna, you should verify that this coverage is in your policy. It is very important that these procedures are followed as you are responsible for any bills incurred.
See locations for emergency treatment and affiliate agencies at this link:
http://www.utmem.edu/univheal/Exp_rep_guide.html
3. All follow up care is to be scheduled at UHS.
It is very important that these procedures are followed as you are responsible for any bills incurred.
Questions?
Call (901) 448-5630
University Health Services
910 Madison Avenue, Suite 922
Memphis, TN 38163
Several resources are available that
provide guidance to the healthcare provider regarding the management of occupational
exposures. These resources include:
- PEPline is run by UCSF and supported by multiple agencies. Phone: (888) 448-4911.
- Answer to: What are needlestick injuries ? What are the hazards of needlestick injuries ? How common are needlestick injuries ? Canadian Center for Occupational Safety
- CDC for reporting occupationally acquired HIV infections and failures of
PEP. Phone: (800) 893-0485
- The
HIV Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry Phone: (800) 258-4263 Internet:
- FDA report unusual or severe toxicity to antiretroviral agents. Phone: (800)
332-1088 Internet:
- HIV/AIDS treatment
Information Services Internet:
- Hepatitis
Hotline phone: (888) 443-7232 Internet:
- University
of Tennessee Policies/Safety Policies>
and Proceedures for
Faculty and Staff on the UTCHS campus to help with exposure proceedures.
- UT
Centerscope--Student Handbook for Students on UTCHS
Campus to help with exposure proceedures
- BCHS
Please contact Vada Singleton at 448-5630 if you have any
questions or need any additional information.
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