Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Protocol

1. Treat the exposure.
   • Wash needlesticks and cuts with soap and water for five minutes.
   • Flush splashes to the nose, mouth, or skin with water for 15 minutes.
   • Irrigate eyes with clean water, saline, or sterile irrigants for 15 minutes.

2. Report the exposure immediately to your Supervisor.

3. Retain the source patient in order for labs to be drawn within 1-2 hours of incident.
   Make sure the source patient remains available to have their blood drawn and sent for STAT labs (HIV, Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, Hepatitis C Antibody). Lab Form for Source Patient
4. Call Student Health Services at 843-792-3664 during normal operating hours (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) to report the exposure. For exposures that occur at MUSC when Student Health Services is closed (after hours, weekends, or holidays), call the MUSC operator (843-792-2123) and have the Hospital Supervisor paged to your extension.
5. Complete and submit the MUSC SHIELD Care Team Member Injury Form. SHIELD Care Team Member Injury Form (netID required)

MUSC Off-Campus Clinics Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Protocol

Carefully read and follow the instructions specific to your location. Students who sustain an exposure during a rotation at a non-MUSC clinical site are to follow the protocol of that institution. They can be seen at MUSC Student Health for any needed follow up. Students in Charleston who are in on or off-campus clinical rotations can call MUSC Student Health or the MUSC operator for consultation.

Resources

National HIV/AIDS Clinicians’ Consultation Center (PEP)

Bloodborne Infectious Disease Risk Factors (Centers for Disease Control)

Bloodborne Pathogens and Needlestick Prevention (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) 

• General Guidance - Provides information on the revised standard.
• Enforcement - Highlights directives and letters of interpretation related to bloodborne pathogens and needlestick prevention.
• Hazard Recognition - Provides references that aid in recognizing workplace hazards associated with bloodborne pathogens.
• Evaluating and Controlling Exposure - Provides information for evaluating and controlling bloodborne pathogens and needlestick hazards.
• Standards - Bloodborne pathogens and needlesticks are addressed in specific OSHA standards for general industry.