All needle sticks and other exposures to blood or other potentially infectious body fluids should be immediately reported to the student’s supervisor, clerkship administrator (if applicable), and to the designated contact at the facility where the incident occurs, as well as to the Office of Student Affairs for the College of Medicine.

Policies and procedures concerning bloodborne pathogen exposures and exposures to communicable diseases (e.g., tuberculosis) are in place at each of the major clinical teaching facilities.  Students should familiarize themselves with the policies and procedures of each clinical facility to ensure they comply with all requirements in case they are injured or exposed to communicable diseases.   For more information, please refer to the Infectious and Environmental Hazard Student policy.

GENERAL PROCEDURES

General procedures in the case of an exposure to a bloodborne pathogen are listed below.

  • Remove bloodborne pathogen.
  • Sharps exposure – wash with soap and water. Students SHOULD NOT squeeze the affected area.
  • Mucous membrane exposure – flush with copious amounts of water.
  • Report exposure to immediate supervisor.
  • Report within 1-2 hours of exposure to the appropriate individual or office, based on clinical setting as below.
  • The evaluating physician or clinical supervisor shall determine the risk of transmission, prophylaxis recommendations, and indicated follow-up.
  • Report the incident to the Office of Student Affairs, completing the Student Incident Report Form.

HOSPITAL SETTING DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS

  • Contact clerkship administrator.
  • Inform resident or attending physician.
  • Report to Occupational Health in the hospital. Designations and follow-up of exposures may be handled by different departments in affiliated facilities. In some cases, emergency room physicians may handle exposures. The director of nursing services or nursing supervisor on duty may be the first line of contact.

HOSPITAL SETTING DURING NON-REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS/HOLIDAYS

  • Report exposure to resident and attending physician-follow their advice on obtaining treatment. 
  • Seek assistance from clinic or facility emergency room physicians if resident and attending physician are not immediately available.
  • The director of nursing services on duty may be the first line of contact during non-regular hours.

OTHER SETTINGS DURING REGULAR/NON-REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS AND/OR HOLIDAYS

  • If exposure occurs during UCF Student Health Services hours of operation and source HIV status is unknown, the student will call UCF Student Health Services at 407-823-3850 to speak with the medical director or his or her designee.
  • If exposure occurs after UCF Student Health Service hours of operation, or source is known HIV positive, the student will proceed to the nearest hospital emergency department for evaluation and treatment as deemed necessary.
  • The student will report the exposure to the College of Medicine Office of Student Affairs.  The incident, including the names of all contact points, will be documented by the Office of Student Affairs.

Prophylaxis for Hepatitis B and HIV

  • Prophylaxis for Hepatitis B may be indicated, dependent on the status of the patient, the exposure, and the immunity of the student. When an exposed student is known to be immune to Hepatitis B, no prophylaxis or testing of the patient is needed. If a student is unsure of his or her status, laboratory testing can be performed to assess both the patient and the student’s status. If the student is not immune and the patient is positive for Hepatitis B, then the student should receive immune globulin and Hepatitis B vaccine series. Follow-up testing should be performed at six months to verify the student’s Hepatitis B status.
  • When HIV post-exposure prophylaxis is indicated, the most current antiretroviral medication(s) as outlined by the CDC will be employed. Students who opt to use antiretroviral therapy will be followed at UCF Student Health Services for the appropriate duration of therapy. Follow-up HIV studies will be recommended at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months.
  • If HIV status of source is unknown, whenever possible rapid HIV testing will be performed on source.
  • Source patients should also be tested for Hepatitis C. Exposed students should receive follow-up testing for this virus as outlined by the CDC.
IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

All exposures will be reported to the Office of Student Affairs of the College of Medicine and to UCF Student Health Services. The Associate Dean for Students will provide assistance should students encounter difficulties and in informing and coordination of follow-up care with UCF Student Health Services.

Contact:

Assistance in obtaining evaluation, prophylaxis, and follow-up care can be obtained through the Office of Student Affairs for the College of Medicine and UCF Student Health Services. UCF Student Health Services will assure confidentiality of all testing performed.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Through a waiver of the in-network requirements specified in the United Healthcare Student Health Services contract with UCF Student Health Services, BBP exposures and post-exposure prophylaxis can be obtained from immediately accessible medical facilities (both in-network and out-of-network) by medical students who are undergoing training in the clinical education environment in modules, clerkships, electives and selectives. Follow-up care for exposure must be obtained through arrangements with UCF Student Health Services and their arrangement with in-network providers.

Note: Students will be responsible for deductibles specified in the United Healthcare Student Health policy, or as specified in their health insurance policy (if other than United Healthcare Student Health).  Students ARE NOT covered under workmen’s compensation.

BAY PINES VA HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

Time of exposure: 8a–5p (M-F)

Report exposure to: Immediate Supervisor and Employee Health (Building 22, Room 116, extension 4225)

If during non-regular hours, weekends, or holidays, report to immediate supervisor.

CENTRAL FLORIDA BEHAVIORAL HOSPITAL

Time of exposure: 8a–5p (M-F)

Report exposure to: Immediate Supervisor and Infection Control Practitioner

If during non-regular hours, weekends, or holidays, report to immediate supervisor.

FLAGER HOSPITAL

Time of exposure: anytime

Report exposure to: Nursing Supervisor and to the Emergency Department for treatment

HEALTH FIRST

Time of exposure: 8a-5p (M-F)

Report exposure to: Immediate supervisor

Call the Exposure Help Line within two hours at 321-434-7500 for treatment recommendation and follow-up. On the next working day, contact Employee Health to begin follow-up.

If during non-regular hours, weekends, or holidays, contact the hospital operator to contact the Infection Control Professional on-call.

LAKE NONA MEDICAL CENTER

Time of exposure: 8a-5p (M-F)

Report exposure to: Immediate supervisor

LAKESIDE BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, INC.

Time of exposure: 8a–5p (M-F)

Report exposure to: Human Resources Specialist and Immediate Supervisor

Report to: FH emergency department 407-303-6611, 601 E. Rollins Street, Orlando

NAPLES COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (NCH BAKER HOSPITAL)

Time of exposure: Anytime; Students that experience a needle stick or some other form of exposure to BBP are directed to the Emergency Room at NCH following completion of a First Report of Injury form.  See details below.

Report exposure to: Nurse Manager or Administrative Manager on site.  Student will be directed to complete a First Report of Injury form provided by manager on site.

Report to: Student then reports immediately to the Emergency Room at the nearest NCH facility.  Students will be seen by the ED physician and a decision will be made about treatment.

Occupational Health ((239) 624-4630) will follow up with the student on the next business day to coordinate their care or treatment with the NCH Business Health team.

NEMOURS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Time of exposure: 7a-4p (M-F)

Report exposure to: Immediate supervisor and Employee Health Services at 57-4409.

If during non-regular hours, weekends, or holidays, contact the patient flow coordinator at 57-4420.

For more information, please refer to the Nemours Occupational Injuries, Illnesses and Blood Borne Pathogen Exposures policy.

NORTH FLORIDA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (HCA)

Time of exposure: (M-F 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

Report exposure to: Program Director David Quillen (david.quillen@hcahealthcare.com), Program Coordinator Shana Ninan with exposure patient’s name (Shana.Ninan@hcahealthcare.com) (352) 333-5152 (PC will contact insurance company & House Supervisor for source testing).

Report inpatient exposure to: Program Director Christopher Bray (christopher.bray@hcahealthcare.com), and program coordinator Brenda Maya (brenda.maya@hcahealthcare.com) (352) 333-5984.

Report to: Care Spot (3 locations in Gainesville) for needlestick or NFRMC ER for open wounds or emergency treatment.

If during non-regular hours, weekends, or holidays, report to: House supervisor with patient’s name, then alert PD or PC and medical student coordinator via email. (medical student coordinator – Matthew Foote – Charles.foote@hcahealthcare.com).

OCALA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (HCA)

Time of exposure: Any time of day, 24/7

Report exposure to: Notify Attending and Senior Resident.  Immediately call Nursing Supervisor at (352) 401-1184 and then notify Program Coordinator.  Nursing Supervisor will complete the Post Exposure Packet.  Program Coordinator will inform Employee/Occupational Health.  Student will be directed to complete a Non-Patient Occurrence Report in Meditech (Nursing Supervisor or Floor Manager can assist with completing the Non-Patient Occurrence Report).

Report to: Nursing Supervisor will then instruct the Student to report immediately to the Emergency Room.  Students will be seen by the ED physician and a decision will be made about treatment.  Occupational Health will follow up with the student on the next business day to coordinate their care or treatment.

Needlestick Hotline: (888) 448-4911 for questions or concerns.

Please see the HCA – Ocala Medical Student Exposure Process for more information.

ORLANDO HEALTH

Time of exposure: 7a–5p (M-F)

Report exposure to: Patient Care Coordinator (PCC)

Report to: Occupational Health 321-841-5212, 77 West Underwood Street, 2nd Floor

If during non-regular hours, weekends, or holidays, report to PCC and report to the emergency department 321-841-5133.

ORLANDO VETERAN AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER

Time of exposure: 7:30a–4p (M-F)

All needle sticks and other exposures to blood or other potentially infectious body fluids should be immediately reported to the student’s supervisor, clerkship administrator, notify chief residents and attending on the team and The ED at OVAMC they will provide initial medical care for all without compensation (WOC) students and trainees at the Orlando VA Medical Center.

All urgent work-related injuries, such as bloodborne pathogen exposures, will be evaluated in the ED. WOC students and trainees at all other sites should report to the nearest local ED or their affiliated institution. Students and trainees should report their potential bloodborne pathogen exposure to EOH the next business day. WOC students and trainees, should be referred to their affiliated institution or primary care provider for further follow-up care, as soon as is reasonably possible, after initial evaluation and treatment.

OSCEOLA HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Time of exposure: 8a–5p (M-F)

Report exposure to: Supervising Attending or his/her Designee. For questions, contact Nathaly Acosta – EPI/TB Program Manager 407-516-9001 ((cell) or extension 2155).

If during non-regular hours, weekends, or holidays, report to immediate supervisor.

OSCEOLA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

Time of exposure: 8a-5p (M-F)

Report exposure to: Employee Health, MOB Suite 301, at (407) 846-3047.

If during non-regular hours, weekends, or holidays, report to immediate supervisor and go to Osceola Regional Medical Center Emergency Department, 407-846-2266, 700 West Oak Street, Kissimmee.

PASADENA VILLAS

Time of exposure: anytime

Report exposure to: Human Resources Specialist and Immediate Supervisor

Report to: FH Emergency Department 407-303-6611, 601 E. Rollins Street, Orlando

If during non-regular hours, weekends, or holidays, report to immediate supervisor and go to FH Emergency Department
407-303-6611, 601 E. Rollins Street, Orlando