| If stuck with a contaminated needle, or otherwise subjected to contamination by bodily fluids from a patient, there is a small but very real risk of acquiring a serious infection from the host. It is to your benefit to report all incidents because, if necessary, you will need to prove that you were infected during your training in order to claim the disability insurance offered through the medical school. If such an incident does occur, you are automatically excused from whatever you are doing.
At the time of any potential contamination, you should excuse yourself from the activity under way and do the following: Procedure for Blood and Body Fluid Exposure follow-up (NMH, RIC, VA, and NMFF)
- Do not go to the emergency room.
- Wash the affected area with soap and water. If mucous membranes are involved, flush with water.
- Notify nurse manager and/or charge nurse of area in which exposure occurred.
- Nurse manager and/or charge nurse will facilitate a blood draw from source patient (one lavender and two gold top tubes) and send to Specimen Receiving.
- One hour after source patient blood is sent to lab, the student needs to call Corporate Health at 312-926-8282.
The operator will forward your call to the provider on call if after normal business hours. - Corporate Health or the provider on call will obtain source patient blood results and evaluate the exposure.
- Corporate Health or the provider will give exposed student instructions on care and follow-up requirements.
- Student needs to complete employee incident report and give it to the nurse manager within one business day.
- Corporate Health will bill the University for all services. If you receive any bills for treatment, send them to the Associate Dean for Student Programs and Professional Development for payment by the University.
Procedure for Blood and Body Fluid Exposure follow-up (CMH)
- Students need to call pager# 133-2273 immediately
Procedure for Blood and Body Fluid Exposure follow-up (outpatient office)
- Students at outpatient offices are expected to follow the office procedures as outlined by that practice.
In order to minimize your risk of exposure, follow the universal precautions: - Wear gloves, eye protection and a face mask during procedures
- Treat all patients and bodily fluids as if they are infected
- Wash your hands frequently
- Do not recap needles
- Dispose of all sharp objects immediately after use
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