After following the ACOM Needle Stick policy, follow the core site policy below:
- The wound or area of exposure should be thoroughly irrigated or cleansed for at least 5 minutes.
- Immediately report the incident to the department manager, supervisor, or administrative supervisor (if after hours).
- If the source patient is known, the manager/supervisor will contact the patient's nurse to determine if the Hepatitis/HIV status is known to be positive.
- If the patient is known to be positive for:
- HIV: Immediately bring a completed Report of Employee Injury form to the Employee Health Office or the Administrative Supervisor (if after hours).
- HBV (HbsAg Positive): Bring a completed Report of Employee Injury form ot the Employee Health Office within 48 hours.
- HCV (Hepatitis C Antibody by EIA): Bring a completed Report of Employee Injury form to the Employee Health Office within 48 hours.
- If the status of the source patient is unknown, or previously negative, the patient's nurse should contact the physician immediately for an order to test the source patient for:
- HIV
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
- Hepatitis B Core Antibody
- Hepatitis B Surface Antibody
- Hepatitis C Antibody
Indicate on the order form the fact that the tests are being done for "BBF/Source" so that patient will not be charged.
The employee should immediately report to the Employee Health Office or the Administrative Supervisor (if after hours) with a completed Report of Employee Injury form. The employee should contact Employee Health within 48 hours after the exposure even if care was rendered in the Emergency Department.
- If the source patient is unknown: the employee immediately brings a completed ROEI form to the Employee Health Office or the Administrative Supervisor (if after hours).
- Employee Health or the Administrative Supervisor will follow current CDC guidelines for management of occupational exposure to include contacting the national clinician post exposure prophylaxis hotline access at http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/default.html. If further assistance is needed after hours, the Administrative Supervisor can call Employee Health Manager or Infection Prevention.
- The Administrative Supervisor should call the Employee Health Office to leave a voice message with information about the exposure.
- The Report of Employee Injury form will accompany the employee to the Emergency Department when emergency care is indicated. The Administrative Supervisor will forward the completed Report of Employee Injury form to the Employee Health Office in those cases not referred to the Emergency Department.
