Needlesticks and other Human Body Fluid Exposures

Employee Duty

The procedures to follow in the event of Needlesticks, Cuts and other Human Body Fluid Exposures to dental faculty, staff, students and volunteers are given below and must be followed closely.

Immediately, any day of the week, 24 hours per day, call the Campus Health Service at 598-4848 (UWMC, ROOM NN-256). You will be instructed on arrangements for follow-up care.
Obtain and be able to make available to Urgent Care Clinic personnel the source person’s name and contact location/phone. If a patient, include the chart number.
Complete a School of Dentistry Unusual Incident/Accident Report (UofW Form #1119) , have it signed off by the Clinic Supervisor or Attending Dental Faculty member. Submit it as indicated on the back of the form. These forms are available at all Clinic Dispensaries and in all Department Offices.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I pay for these services?

You don't. If you are a student, all required initial baseline care, follow-up lab testing and prophylactic medications for a reported episode of potential occupational Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) exposure are provided at no cost.

If you are a University of Washington employee, and the potential exposure occurs while on the job, these services will be covered under the Washington State Industrial Insurance program.

What if I require more than initial care?

The services described above provide only for the first response to an accidental injury or BBP exposure. They do not substitute for primary and specialty medical care from the individual's health care providers for ongoing health needs.

All health sciences students are STRONGLY ADVISED TO HAVE PERSONAL HEALTH INSURANCE, or to join a care plan, to cover the expenses of their health care and treatment in case of catastrophic illness or injury and/or development of a serious chronic condition within or outside of the occupational setting.

All School of Dentistry Employees should also maintain appropriate health care coverage in the event of catastrophic or chronic illness. The Washington State Industrial Insurance Program provides only for limited coverage under such circumstances.

How will I know if I've had a bloodborne exposure?

An exposure incident occurs when human blood or other potentially infectious materials enter your body by:

A splash to the eye, mouth or other mucus membrane
Contamination of non-intact skin
A puncture or cut with a sharp instrument which has been exposed to another's body fluid

What body substance are known to transmit the bloodborne diseases Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV?

blood or any body fluid or tissue containing blood
amniotic, cerebrospinal, peridardial, peritoneal, pleural, and synovial fluids
Semen
vaginal secretions
human organs and unfixed tissues
breast milk

What body substance are not known to cause bloodborne disease (unless contaminated by blood)?

feces, urine
nasal secretions, sweat, tears
sputum, vomitus
saliva -- low risk for transmitting Hepatitis, HIV

If exposed, what should you do?

Provide Immediate First aid:
Go to the nearest sink and scrub and bleed puncture and cut wounds. Vigorous mechanical scrubbing with soap and water may prevent viral material from entering tissues. Washing (flooding) eyes with water or normal saline will aid the tears in flushing viral material from mucus membranes. Immediately call Campus Health Service (598-4848).

Is there treatment to prevent bloodborne disease after exposure?

Hepatitis B (HBV) can be prevented by vaccination
Human Immunodeficiency Disease may be prevented by taking post exposure antiviral and inhibitor drugs
Hepatitis C (HCV) has no preventive therapy

What drugs are recommended for preventing HIV infection?

Zidovidine(AZT)
Lamivudine (3TC)
(The above two drugs May prevent HIV infection.)
Indinivir
(This medication is recommended only for the highest risk HIV exposures.)

How aer decisions made about post-exposure preventive (PEP) treatment for HIV?

All three drugs are recommended when:
      1. the exposure source is known or at a high risk for HIV infection
      2. the injury is a deep or penetrating cut where proper cleaning is not possible
      3. a large volume of blood has contacted non-intact skin and the HIV status of the source is unknown.
The first two drugs are recommended for superficial bloody exposures where the HIV status of the source is unknown.
These PEP medications can be taken while waiting information on the source and discontinued later when exposure risk has been fully defined.

What blood test are required following an exposure?

Baseline testing for HIV, Hepatitis C and, if Hepatitis B vaccination has been completed, a test for immunity to Hepatitis B
HIV and Hepatitis C tests are repeated at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months from the date of injury.

What tests are required of the source person?

All source persons are asked to consent to testing for HIV, HBV and HCV at the time of the injury.

How will a person know that everything is okay?

Your health care provider will report laboratory results and provide counseling during the testing period.

Needlesticks and other Human Body Fluid Exposures

Employee Duty

Frequently Asked Questions:

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