Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure
A bloodborne pathogen exposure includes specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin, or needlestick or other sharps contact with human blood or other potentially infectious material resulting from work duties.
If a Potential Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Occurs
- Perform immediate first-aid measure.
- For cuts, bites, scratches, punctures, needlesticks, or other skin injuries, wash the affected area immediately and thoroughly with soap and water.
- For an eye exposure, remove contact lenses and flush the eyes with clean water or saline for 15 minutes. Do not reinsert contact lenses until approved by a healthcare provider. Discard disposable lenses.
- For another mucous membrane exposure, flush the affected area with clean water or saline for 15 minutes.
- For contact with intact skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
- Notify your supervisor and EH&S immediately.
- Seek medical attention immediately. Employees should report to the Georgetown University Hospital Emergency Department within three hours of exposure, in accordance with the Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan.
- Provide the treating healthcare provider with information about the exposure, including how it occurred, the route of exposure, hepatitis B vaccination status, and any available information about the source person or source material.
- Complete all required injury and incident documentation.
- Follow the instructions provided for post-exposure evaluation, prophylaxis, testing, and follow-up care.