Bloodborne Pathogens and Other Infectious Exposures: What to do After an Injury

USF BBP Exposure Control Plan (July 2013)

PEP Protocol

Healthcare Worker's Requirements to Reduce the Risk of Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure

The following safeguards are mandated by law:

  • Use Standard Precautions for the care of all patients in all settings.
  • Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when there is a possibility of exposure to blood or body fluids.
    • Gloves
    • Water-resistant gowns/aprons
    • Protective eyewear
    • Masks
  • Use of "Safer Sharps" whenever possible.
  • Disposal of sharps in labeled, puncture resistant containers.
  • Hepatitis B vaccination.
  • File an incident report post exposure.
  • Follow clinical site's post exposure prophylaxis protocol.

Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure - Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV

Transmission: Blood, blood products, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk, and any body fluid visibly contaminated with blood. Use Standard Precautions.

Exposure definition:

  • Exposure via needlestick/sharp to blood, tissues, or infectious body fluids 
  • Exposure of mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth) to blood, tissues, or infectious body fluids 
  • Exposure of non-intact skin (chapped, abraded, weeping, inflamed, open lesions, lacerations) to blood, tissues, or infectious body fluids

Immediate action:

If exposure occurs in an acute care facility (hospital-based)

  • Express blood from wound 
  • Cleanse wound with soap and water; flush mucous membranes with water 
  • Notify supervisor immediately 
  • Report to clinical site's Employee Health Services
    • After hours: Report to nursing supervisor "on call" or emergency room

If exposure occurs in an outpatient facility

  • Express blood from wound 
  • Cleanse wound with soap and water; flush mucous membranes with water 
  • Ask "source patient" to remain in clinic for possible lab testing (consent must be signed) 
  • Notify supervisor immediately 
  • Report to USF Medical Health Administration (Division of Infectious Disease)
    • Call Employee Health 813-974-3163 or page 813-216-0153
    • After hours: ID Fellow "on call" 813-974-2201

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Exposure

Isolation: Use Airborne Precautions.

Exposure definition:

  • Airborne exposure to a person who is sputum smear positive for Acid Fast Bacilli and/or sputum culture positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Immediate action:

  • Report to Employee Health Services.

Meningococcal Meningitis Exposure

Isolation: Use Droplet Precautions.

Exposure definition:

  • Intensive, direct contact with respiratory secretions.
  • Mouth to mouth resuscitation
  • Prolonged, direct care for > 4 hours within enclosed area

Immediate action:

  • Report to Employee Health Services.

Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV or Chicken Pox) Exposure

Isolation: Use Airborne Precautions and Contact Precautions.

Exposure definition:

A susceptible healthcare worker in the same room as person who is incubating varicella or has varicella lesions that are not crusted. You are considered susceptible (non-immune) if you have:

  • Negative history of varicella vaccine x2 or
  • Negative varicella titer

Immediate action:

  • Report to Employee Health Services (see list).

Pertussis Exposure

Isolation: Use Droplet Precautions.

Exposure definition:

  • Susceptible healthcare worker with close, face to face contact with a person who has a clinical syndrome highly suggestive of Pertussis.

Immediate action:

  • Report to Employee Health Services

Exposure Contacts at USF and USF Affiliates - Employee Health Services (EHS)

Remember: Site of injury is responsible for initial exposure management

All Children's Hospital:

  • Contact: Lynda Ruckman RN 727-892-4483
  • *After hours: Page evening/night nursing supervisor

Bayfront Medical Center:

  • Contact: Employee Health Coordinator 727-893-6189
  • *After hours: Go to emergency room

Bay Pines VA Hospital:

  • Contact: Occupational Health 727-398-6661 x5212
  • *After hours: Go to emergency room

Community Health Fair:

  • Contact: "On site" student event coordinator, medical supervisor, and USF ID Fellow "on call" 813-974-2201

Hillsborough County Health Department:

  • Contact: Jo Cordy 813-307-8015 x6402 or Robert Pullen 813-307-8015 x3103

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center:

  • Contact: Employee Health 813-745-4276
  • *After 4:30pm page evening/night nursing coordinator

James A. Haley VA Hospital:

  • Contact: Occupational Health 813-972-2000 x7046
  • *After hours: Go to emergency room

Morton Plant Mease Hospitals:

  • Contact: 727-825-6225
  • *After hours: Go to emergency room

Shriners Hospital:

  • Contact: Sheryl Chewning RN 813-975-7141
  • *After hours: Page evening/night nursing coordinator

St. Anthony's Hospital:

  • Contact: 727-825-1269
  • *After hours: Go to emergency room

Suncoast Community Health Centers:

  • Contact: Diana Lopez RN 813-349-7566

Tampa General Hospital:

  • Contact: Employee Health 813-844-7649/4525/4526/4527
  • *After hours: Page evening/night nursing supervisor
    • Genesis
    • Health Park
    • Specialty Clinic
    • Medical Examiners Office
    • Hyde Park Medical Building

University Community Hospital:

  • Contact: Occupational Health 813-615-7840
  • *After hours: Go to emergency room

University Psychiatry Center:

  • Contact: Maureen Tavrell 813-974-4657
  • *After hours: Call USF ID Fellow "on call" 813-974-2201

USF Health:

  • Contact: Linda Lennerth RN 813-974-3163 or page 813-216-0153
    • USF Medical Clinic
    • USF Morsani Center
    • USF South Tampa Center
    • All other outpatient sites
    • USF Health Laboratories

USF Expert Consultation:

  • Call USF ID Fellow "on call" 813-974-2201