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- Blood & Biohazard Exposure
Blood & Biohazard Exposure
Overview
If you are an MCG student on a rotation in a clinical setting, there is a risk of accidental exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials. Knowing what to do immediately after an exposure and within 3 hours of an exposure is critical for your health and safety.
This is a Quick Reference Guide for MCG Savannah Campus Students.
Jump to: Types of ExposureWhat to Do Right AwayWhere to Report Within 3 HoursQuestions or Concerns?After ExposureKey Reminders
Types of Exposure
Needlesticks or Cuts
Splash or Contact
With eyes, nose, mouth, or broken skin with another person's blood or other potentially infectious materials.
What To Do Right Away
Follow these steps immediately after an exposure occurs:
Cleanse the wound or splash area
Notify your supervisor
Tell your attending supervisor, faculty, or instructor immediately about the incident. They will help order labs (HIV Ab, HCV Ab, HBV Ag, and other labs if necessary) from the source patient if available. A CMP should be ordered if HIV prophylaxis is considered or prescribed. HCG should be ordered before initiating prophylaxis for female patients. Provide the facility with your student insurance information.
Complete the exposure form
Complete the Blood/Body Fluid Exposure Form while still at the clinical site where the exposure occurred. The hospital may ask you to fill out an incident report form. Record patient demographics (name, MR#, source code if available, etc.). Keep a copy of all paperwork for your records.
Where To Report Within 3 Hours
Your next steps depend on which campus or hospital system you are rotating. You must report within 3 hours of the exposure for evaluation, labs, and assessment for HIV prophylaxis if needed.
Augusta University Campus (EC Location)
Contact Student Health Services at 706-721-3448 immediately. Report in person to the Student Health Services clinic located in the Health Sciences Building, Room EC1500. Hours of operation are Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. If Student Health Services is closed, report to the emergency department for labs and assessment for HIV prophylaxis.
Southeast Georgia Regional Health System
Contact Team Member Health 912-466-3119 in Brunswick immediately. If Team Member Health is closed, contact Emergency Care Center on your campus at 912-466-2137 or 912-466-2132. Nursing Management, where the source patient is located, should coordinate testing on the source patient as soon as possible.
St. Joseph Candler Health System
Report directly to the nearest emergency department for labs and assessment for HIV prophylaxis.
East Georgia Regional Medical Center
Report directly to the nearest emergency department for labs and assessment for HIV prophylaxis.
Any Other Clinical Setting
Report directly to the nearest emergency department for labs and assessment for HIV prophylaxis.
Questions or Concerns?
After Your Exposure
Once you have received care at the appropriate facility, you must notify the Dean of Student Affairs and the Clerkship Dean, as well as submit documentation to Student Affairs:
- savstudentaffairs@augusta.edu
- Keep personal copies of all exposure and follow-up lab results for your records
- Follow up with any recommended testing or prophylaxis as directed by the treating medical team
Key Reminders
- Act quickly. Time is important– cleanse immediately and report within 3 hours.
- Know your location. Identify which campus or hospital system your rotation is located to help direct the he report.
- Document everything. Complete the exposure form and save copies of all reports and lab results.
- Notify Student Affairs. Email your documentation to savstudentaffairs@augusta.edu for your record.