CMSV 322 Exposure, Needlestick, Blood Borne Pathogens, Injury
Policy Name: Exposure, Needlesticks, Blood Borne Pathogens, Injury
The College of Mount Saint Vincent has policies in place that effectively address exposure to environmental hazards, including:
- The education of PA students about methods of prevention.
- The procedures for care and treatment after exposure, including a definition of financial responsibility.
- The effects of infectious and environmental disease or disability on medical student learning activities.
Standard Exposure
- Standard Precautions
- Consider blood, body fluids, and tissue from all patients to be potentially infectious.
- Perform hand hygiene before/after all patient contacts.
- Wear gloves when exposure to blood and body fluids may occur (e.g., during phlebotomy). Change your gloves and perform hand hygiene after each procedure and before contact with another patient.
- Wear a gown, mask, and goggles when blood or body fluids splashes may occur (e.g., during surgery, placing nasogastric tubes, etc.).
- Immediately report all incidents of blood and body fluid exposure of the following types:
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- Parenteral: needle stick, puncture, or cut.
- Mucous membrane: splash to eyes, nose, mouth.
- Cutaneous: contact with blood and body fluids on ungloved hands or other skin surfaces that may be cut, chapped, abraded, or affected by active dermatitis.
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- High-Risk Exposure
- Needle stick, especially hollow-bore needles and/or deep injury.
- Other percutaneous injuries such as cuts.
- Source patient with known untreated or poorly controlled infection with HIV/HBV/HCV.
- Lower-Risk Exposure
- Mucous membrane splash.
- Non-intact skin splash.
- Human bite with blood exposure.
- Exposure Management
- Possible Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV exposure.
- Immediate Response to Exposure
- Clean wounds or punctures with soap and water.
- Flush mucous membranes or skin copiously with water or saline.
- Do not force bleed the wound.
- Do not apply caustics (e.g., bleach, organic solvents, hard surface disinfectants, etc.).
- Post-Response to Exposure
- Exposed Healthcare Worker
- Hepatitis B and C antibody tests.
- HIV test (4th generation).
- If HIV PEP will be used: CBC, electrolytes, BUN/creatinine, LFTs, pregnancy test.
- Source of Exposure
- Hepatitis B surface antigen.
- Hepatitis C RNA test.
- HIV test (4th generation).
- Exposed Healthcare Worker
- General Treatment
- Tetanus toxoid (if needed).
- No specific treatment if HCV (+) source.
- Hepatitis-B Specific Management
- Hepatitis B vaccine (if not immune).
- Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (HBIG) if not immune and known Hepatitis B surface antigen (+) source.
- HIV PEP
- May be indicated, prescribed according to CDC guidelines based on severity of injury and risk of source patient.
On-Campus Incident | Exposure, Needlesticks, Blood Borne Pathogens, Injury
Exposure incidents can occur for a variety of reason. The main concern regarding any exposure incident is prompt and immediate care, as well as initiated treatment.
In response to an incident which takes place within the confines of the College of Mount Saint Vincent campus, including needlesticks, exposure to blood borne pathogens, or bodily fluids (urine, feces, sputum etc.), or any bodily injury sustained the student, is obligated to apply with all accident and injury protocols established by the Master of Science Physician Assistant Program. Protocols are as follows:
- Notification must made to either the program director, academic or clinical coordinator, or any principal faculty member immediately, or as quickly as timer allows, but not later then 48-hours.
- Notification must be made to campus safety and security and an incident report initiated.
- Go directly to either your primary care physician, CMSV-preferred healthcare provider (if open), or the nearest emergency department to receive medical evaluation and treatment.
- A copy of your discharge information sheet with date and time of treatment rendered clearly stated.
- Notification to either the program director and academic/clinical coordinator if student will be needing time away from academic or clinical duties as per treatment plan.
- Please note: If the incident occurred in the College’s Clinical Education Laboratory/Simulation Lab (CEL), the director of the lab must also be notified.
Off-Campus Incident | Exposure, Needlesticks, Blood Borne Pathogens, Injury
If the injury occurs as a result of a school related accident including needle-stick injuries, the student must comply with all accident and injury protocols established by the institution/clinical setting.
If you have a needle-stick injury, or other related injury, go directly to the affiliate organization’s emergency room/department (if available), the nearest emergency room, or private healthcare provider to receive medical evaluation, treatment, and follow-up care.
- The student has the right to refuse medical evaluation and treatment.
It may also be required that students follow up with the risk management department of the healthcare affiliate organization, as well as any other offices as required by the College’s clinical affiliate agreement, or as deemed appropriate by the clinical preceptor.
- The student has the right to refuse recommended medical treatment at the clinical site.
All injuries and occupational exposures must be reported to the program no later than 48 hours following the incident to either the academic/clinical coordinator, senior staff associate, and program director, as well as the director for campus safety and security.
- A copy of your discharge documentation from the treating medical provider or institution must be submitted with the incident report.
All students are required to maintain health insurance while enrolled in the program. Students are responsible for their own healthcare while in school. All expenses related to the injury or exposure are the responsibility of the student.
- CMSV 100 Email/Canvas
- CMSV 101 Student Files (Inclusive)
- CMSV 110 Faculty Medical Responsibilities
- CMSV 201 Student Rights and Confidentiality
- CMSV 202 Dress Code
- CMSV 203 Transcripts
- CMSV 204 Student Academic Grievances
- CMSV 205 Drug Testing Policy
- CMSV 300 Professional Review Committee
- CMSV 301 Academic Performance Committee
- CMSV 302 Admission Criteria and Requirements
- CMSV 303 Admission Assessment for Patient Care Experience
- CMSV 305 Ethical and Legal Standards
- CMSV 306 Guidelines for Ethical Conduct and Behavior
- CMSV 307 Criminal Background Check
- CMSV 308 Academic Integrity
- CMSV 309 Academic Advisement
- CMSV 310 Academic Prerequisites
- CMSV 311 Academic Warning/Academic Probation
- CMSV 312 Remediation
- CMSV 313 Deceleration
- CMSV 314 Incomplete Grades
- CMSV 315 Grade Appeal Policy and Protocol
- CMSV 316 Grading System
- CMSV 317 Academic Dismissal
- CMSV 318 Academic Dismissal Appeal Policy
- CMSV 319 Classroom Attendance and Classroom Etiquette Policy
- CMSV 320 Leave of Absence/Withdrawals/Resumption of Studies
- CMSV 321 Health Policy and Immunizations
- CMSV 322 Exposure, Needlestick, Blood Borne Pathogens, Injury
- CMSV 323 Student Academic-Clinical Evaluations
- CMSV 324 Examination Policy
- CMSV 326 Clinical Site Visits and Evaluations
- CMSV 327 Standards of Progression Didactic Year
- CMSV 328 FERPA
- CMSV 329 Graduation Requirements
- CMSV 330 Loss of Accreditation
- CMSV 331 Emergency Response, Campus Security, and Crisis Management
- CMSV 332 Fire Safety Policy
- CMSV 333 Security and Personal Safety Measures | Student/Faculty
- CMSV 334 Faculty Executive Committee
- CMSV 335 Academic Curriculum Committee
- CMSV 336 Clinical Curriculum Committee
- CMSV 337 Data Analytic Committee
- CMSV 338 Admission Committee
- CMSV 339 Exposure to Infectious and Environmental Hazards Policy
- CMSV 500 Student Counseling Center
- CMSV 501 Crisis Intervention
- CMSV 502 Student with Disabilities and Reasonable Accommodations
- CMSV 503 Scholarship Opportunities
- CMSV 600 Tuition Refunds
- CMSV 601 Drug and Alcohol Policy
- CMSV 602 Social Media
- CMSV 603 Sexual Misconduct and Reporting
- CMSV 604 Discrimination, Non-Sex Based Harassment, and Retaliation