Immediately After Exposure
1. Wash affected area.
- For an eye or mucous membrane exposure, flush the exposed area with water for five minutes.
- For a skin exposure or an injury with "sharps", wash the area for five minutes with water and antimicrobial soap (ex: Hibiclens or Betadine).
2. Download the Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Packet.
Print all the forms included in the packet:
- Treating Provider/Supervisor/Faculty Checklist
- Student Checklist
- Occupational Exposure to Blood Borne Pathogens Management Algorithm
- Blood and Body Fluid Exposure Report Form
- Needlestick & Sharp Object Injury Report Form
- Student Report of Environmental Injury Form (Please complete for ALL injury types.)
Return ALL forms to OEHS @ studentinjuries@tulane.edu.
3. Notify the Health Center Downtown
- If the exposure occurs during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.), call the Health Center Downtown at 504-988-6929.
- If the exposure occurs at any other time (holidays, weekends, evenings, etc.), leave a message at the Downtown Health Center, and someone will return your call within one business day.
What if you are unable to access/print the instruction packet?
- Report exposure immediately to your supervisor and/or head nurse at hospital or clinic. They will assist you with obtaining the source patient’s lab work, if indicated.
- For Off-Campus Exposures: Follow facility specific policies regarding procedures and reporting, which may include a visit to the Occupational Health Office or the Emergency Department. You will need to get your blood drawn ideally within 2 hours of exposure.
- For On-Campus Exposures: Report to the Emergency Department. You will need to get your blood drawn ideally within 2 hours of exposure.
- For ALL Exposures: Call The Health Center Downtown at 504-988-6929 immediately to arrange for follow-up and lab work.
If the exposure took place at a location outside of New Orleans (away rotations), and/or any location within the United States of America:
- Report exposure immediately to your supervisor and/or head nurse at hospital or clinic. They will assist you with obtaining the source patient's lab work.
- Follow their specific policy (some centers do require that you notify the employee health and/or infectious disease departments).
- You will need to get your blood drawn right away. (Ideally within 2 hours of exposure). This is usually done through the ER at the facility where you are working.
- On the following business day call The Health Center Downtown's nurse at 504-988-6929 for a follow-up discussion to ensure proper documentation of protocols.
