Policy on Needle Stick and Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure
Detailed information on the prevention of and treatment for exposure to blood borne pathogens is contained
in the CDC brochure, “Exposure to Blood: What Healthcare Personnel Need to Know”. Students should
familiarize themselves with this information.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/pdf/bbp/Exp_to_Blood.pdf
Purpose: To prevent the transmission of blood borne diseases through accidental exposure to blood borne
pathogens. An exposure incident occurs when potentially infectious materials come into contact with eye,
mouth, mucous membranes, non-intact skin, or parenteral structures.
If a student experiences a needle stick, sharps injuries or is otherwise exposed to the blood of a patient while
on a practicum rotation, the student should:
1) Immediately perform basic first aid. Wash needle sticks and cuts with soap and water. Flush splashes
to the nose, mouth or skin with water. If exposure is to the eyes, flush eyes with water, normal saline
solution or sterile irrigates for several minutes.
2) Immediately report the incident to the attending physician/preceptor. Prompt reporting is essential. In
some cases, post exposure treatment may be recommended and should be started as soon as possible.
If there is potential exposure to HIV, it is imperative to initiate prophylactic treatment within two hours
of the incident. Also, without prompt reporting, the source patient may be released before testing for
infectious disease can be conducted.
3) Seek post-exposure services. If at an AT Practicum site your preceptor is the point of contact. If in a
medical clinic contact the Site Coordinator for instructions of how to fulfill these requirements. If in a
hospital, contact the nursing supervisor or employee health service. All clinical sites will have a policy in
place for blood borne pathogens, with a point of contact. This point of contact can help you follow the
correct procedures. If it is after hours or if the student cannot locate a person to guide them, they
should go immediately to the emergency department and identify themselves as a student who has
just sustained an exposure.
4) Obtain baseline laboratory tests, if indicated. The treating clinician should evaluate the type and severity
of exposure and counsel the student on the risk of transmission of HIV, HBV and HCV. This may involve
testing the student’s blood and that of the source patient and initiating post-exposure treatment.
a. Acute Hepatitis Panel
b. HIV Test
5) Complete the Bodily Fluid Exposure Report. The student should report the incident to the Chair of the
Department of Athletic Training and complete the Bodily Fluid Exposure Report within 24 hours of the
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exposure. The training site may require the student to complete a separate incident report for their
facility.
6) Complete the LMU Incident Report. In conjunction with the Chair of the Department of Athletic Training
complete the LMU Incident Report for submission to Risk Management.
It is extremely important that students report incidents promptly to the Chair of the Department of Athletic
Training to avoid problems that may occur later with payment for post exposure treatment.
Costs Incurred: Most training sites provide post-exposure treatment to students free of charge. If there are
charges for services, the student must file all medical claims to their personal medical insurance first, then to
the LMU intercollegiate policy.
The student should:
1. File a claim with their personal insurance policy
2. Complete the LMU intercollegiate claim form (see Patricia Mason for a claim form)
3. Make a copy of the front and back of the insurance card
4. Collect all bills associated with the incident. Make a copy of the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) provided by
the insurance company.
5. Collect a UB4 or HCFA billing statement from the billing office of the facility where treatment was received.
6. Return all these things via fax, e-mail, or mail to Patricia Mason ASAP.
Patricia Mason
Administrative Assistant
Department of Athletic Training
7156 Cumberland Gap Parkway
Harrogate, TN 37752
Phone: 423.869-6813
FAX: 423.869.6846
Patricia.mason@lmunet.edu
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