Occupational Exposure/Needlestick Protocol

Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens/Needlestick Protocol

Exposures to potentially infectious blood or body fluids as a result of needlesticks, cuts or splashes that occur on assignment (clinical sites, labs, etc.) could result in transmission of blood-borne diseases such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV.

To ensure your safety and the safety of your patients, see treatment within 1-2 hours after initial exposure (as is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)

Insurance Billing for Occupational Exposures

Any injury, needlesticks or occupational exposures NEED TO BE REPORTED IN 24 HOURS OR INSURANCE MAY NOT COVER PAYMENT

Note: In most cases, payment for an ER visit is based on the guidelines of the student’s own health insurance OR CampusCare. Students are not covered by Workers’ Compensation.

Please visit the campus care website for in-network hospitals for emergency room only.

Students who have CampusCare insurance 

CampusCare covers exposures to blood or body fluids that occur because of a needlestick, puncture, cut, or spray injury is defined as a true, life-threatening medical emergency. In the event of such an emergency, the student should proceed to the nearest Employee Health Office or Emergency Room for treatment, preferably the one at the medical center where the incident occurred. CampusCare will be financially responsible for Medical Emergency healthcare services up to the limits provided in our Certificate of Coverage. After the Medical Emergency, all follow-up care must be provided by or pre authorized by a CampusCare Primary Care Provider and the CampusCare Medical Director. If questions or concerns arise after reporting the incident, students may call CampusCare directly at 312-996-4915 or Noel M. Pycior MS, FNP-BC at 815-395-5870.

Note: An exposure must be billed as an injury. If you have any occupational exposure to bodily fluids immediately notify the doctor/team you are working with of the incident and that you need to seek medical attention right away. When in doubt, go to the nearest emergency room when/where the incident occurred.

Students who do NOT have CampusCare but have a different health insurance policy:

It is strongly recommended that students contact their insurance provider BEFORE beginning clinical rotations to find out about their coverage and how to proceed if an incident occurs. These types of exposures are generally considered injuries.

For distant sites, there may be substantial advantages to receiving evaluation and treatment on-site: immediate access, ease in handling source blood, faster test results, and on-site follow-up care.

Students may be required to pay for care provided at the site where the exposure occurred.

 

Protect yourself

  • Plan for safe handling and disposal before using needles.
  • Dispose of used needles promptly in sharps disposal containers.
  • Complete annual blood borne pathogen training.
  • Get your hepatitis B vaccines.
  • Report all sharps-related injuries to your preceptor/clerkship director, and Student Health and Wellness to ensure appropriate follow-up.

In the event of an exposure, use the following procedure:

  1. Clean it: Wash the area immediately and thoroughly with soap and water. Eyes should be flushed with saline or water. There is no evidence that expressing fluid from a wound reduces the risk of blood-borne infection.
  2. Get Treated: Seek treatment within 1-2 hours after initial exposure, as is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
    Hospital: Report to their employee health services department or their emergency department for care right away.
  3. Report it: Notify your preceptor/clerkship director/faculty right away. Notify Noel Pycior, APN, within 24 hours of the incident and fill out the Occupational Exposure Incident Report Form.
  4. Follow up: Any follow-up care deemed necessary by your initial evaluation in the emergency department or employee health services must take place in Student Health and Wellness by scheduling an appointment with Noel Pycior, APN, at at 815-395-5870. If you are not in Rockford, then you can schedule this per your insurance network with your health care provider.

CampusCare Insurance Coverage

CampusCare has adopted the policy that all exposures to blood or body fluids that occur because of a needle-stick, puncture, cut, or spray injury are defined as a true, life-threatening medical emergency. In the event of such an emergency, the student should proceed to the nearest employee health office or emergency room as directed above for treatment.

The student or someone on the student’s behalf is required to notify Noel Pycior, APN, as your primary care provider within 24 hours of receiving care to approve urgent services for CampusCare coverage. Such notification does not guarantee that CampusCare will be responsible for the incurred charges. The determination as to whether the condition meets Emergency Care guidelines is made by the Medical Director of CampusCare or their designee. If further questions or concerns arise after reporting the incident to the Director of Student Health and Wellness Noel Pycior, APN, students may call CampusCare directly at 312-996-4915.

Note: An exposure must be billed as an injury. If you have any occupational exposure to bodily fluids immediately notify the doctor/team you are working with of the incident and that you need to seek medical attention right away.