Bloodborne Pathogens and Other Infectious Exposures: What to do After an Injury
USF BBP Exposure Control Plan (July 2013)
Healthcare Worker's Requirements to Reduce the Risk of Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure
The following safeguards are mandated by law:
1. Use Standard Precautions for the care of all patients in all settings.
2. Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when there is a possibility of exposure to blood or body fluids.
3. Use of "Safer Sharps" whenever possible.
4. Disposal of sharps in labeled, puncture resistant containers.
5. Hepatitis B vaccination.
6. File an incident report post exposure.
7. Follow clinical site's post exposure prophylaxis protocol (see list).
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:
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Exposure via needlestick/sharp to blood, tissues, or infectious body fluids
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Exposure of mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth) to blood, tissues, or infectious body fluids
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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 (see list)
- 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 (see list).
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 (see list).
Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV or Chicken Pox) Exposure
Isolation: Use Airborne Precautions andSTRONG> 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 (see list).
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