Part F Blood and fluid exposure

Exposure? Injury with sharp object. Contamination of open wound with blood or body fluid. Eye or mucosal splash with blood or body fluid.

BLOOD & BODY FLUID EXPOSURE Risks Prevention Prevention Action Plan Action Plan

Risks

Risks

level of virus in blood of the source. route of transmission: per-cutaneous or mucosal. volume of infected fluid transferred. HCW’s performing exposure prone procedures should know their immune/infectious status. Risk of infection from an exposure depends on:

Prevention Standard Precautions: Hand washing and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Safe handling and disposal of sharps. Decontamination / disinfection of blood spills. Adequate cleaning and sterilization of all instruments. Careful first aid following potential exposure.

Re-sheathing of needles Don’t re-sheath needles unless absolutely necessary. Use disposable syringe with automatic re- sheathing device

Sharps disposal Sharps container MUST BE EASILY ACCESSIBLE, preferable close to where sharps used. Sharps container MUST BE LOCATED SAFELY AWAY FROM CHILDREN. Dispose as soon as possible after using sharp. Operator is responsible for disposal of sharp.

Exposure Action Plan protocols All health care establishments must have protocols for dealing with needle-stick and other blood or body fluid incidents. Protocol should include Physician or M.O. to be contacted. Incident reporting & evaluation & counseling, treatment & follow up options.

Action Plan  Incidents must be reported immediately.  Affected person should be examined to confirm nature of exposure and counselled about the possibility of transmission of blood borne disease.  medical evaluation and insurance notification.  expert counselling and support.

Exposure Action Plan Stop work immediately. Wash immediately with soap & running water. Do not express blood. Eye or mucosal splash: immediately rinse & flush continuously with running water. Tell what has happened. Follow procedure (*Notify the o o o office/clinic/area manager or go to next step  MO). Referral to Occupational Health or MO for follow up.

Exposure Action Plan for Needle-stick and blood accidents  ANCAHARD – comprehensive document - Bulletin 16 Needle-stick and blood accidents-Appendix 8 Plan ahead prepare a clinic /ward /area specific protocol. STAFF Immune History & vaccinations record current & documented. Action plan flow chart.

Frequently asked questions after a potential exposure  Where and who should the incident be reported to?  Where do I record and document the incident?  Should I take HIV prophylactic medication?  What solvents do I wash the injured area with?  Do I disinfect the injured area?  Will I be stopped from working after a stick injury?  If I am stopped from working then for how long?  What about hepatitis C – what exactly would it mean if I got hepatitis C?  What else do I need to worry about?  How do I ask the patient to find out if they are infected with anything – what personal questions are appropriate?