Download Bloodborne Exposure A bloodborne exposure occurs when a

Bloodborne Exposure
A bloodborne exposure occurs when a patient’s infectious body fluids enter the blood
stream of our employee. The most common way this happens is that a needle which has
entered the patients skin then punctures our employees skin. Exposure can also occur if
the patient’s body fluids come in contact with mucous membranes such as the eyes,
inside of the nose or mouth or through an open unhealed cut or serious rash. It is the legal
responsibility of the Designated Infection Control Officer (DICO) to determine if an
exposure has occurred. In the case of a suspect exposure, contact the infection control
officer as soon as possible to determine what steps should be taken.
The employee should take these steps:
Always to remember your Personal Protective Equipment
First Aid First
Take care of the Patient
Flush or wash exposure areas
Don’t wait, call the Designated Infection Control Officer.
Do not register at the emergency department as a patient unless instructed by the DICO
or if an emergency other than the exposure exists.
The Supervisor if needed will:
Contact the DICO
Insure employee is safe
Insure an Incident Report and First Report of Injury are completed
If the DICO cannot be contacted, arrange with hospital to have the source tested.
The Designated Infection Control Officer (DICO) will:
Contact the receiving hospital to arrange testing of the source
Arrange for employee evaluation at Occupational Health work Center
Investigate the exposure
Follow up with hospital infection control.