STEP 1: IMMEDIATE CARE

Take the following steps:

• Wash needlestick or sharp punctures and cuts with soap and water.
• Flush splashes to the nose, mouth, or skin with water.
• Irrigate eyes with clean water at eye wash station, saline, or sterile irrigants.
• Report the incident to your supervisor.
• Immediately seek medical care/evaluation to determine risk associated with the exposure.

STEP 2: POST EXPOSURE EVALUATION

• Ensure source patient testing has been ordered in the Electronic Medical Record and blood has been collected.
• For exposures on MHN property:
  • During regular business hours (Monday-Friday 7am-4pm):
    Call Marshall Health Network Employee Health at 304.399.2833.
  • After normal business hours, on weekend or holiday:
    Go to the Emergency Department for evaluation.
• For exposures off-site (not MHN property):
  • Follow the visiting facility’s exposure protocol, which is typically evaluation in the Emergency Department.
  • Follow up with MHN Employee Health the next business day.

STEP 3: COMPLETE INCIDENT REPORT ON THE MARSHALL HEALTH INTRANET

• Go to the Marshall Health Intranet
• Select Policies & Procedures (Top right).
• Select Emergency Protocols.
• Under Event Reporting, select Marshall Health Incident Reporting.
• Complete and submit incident report.

For Medical Students: FINANCIAL CONCERNS ASSOCIATED WITH AN EXPOSURE

The Office of Student Affairs encourages students to become aware of the Blood and Body Fluids Exposure Protocol so that an appropriate course of action can be followed in the event of an exposure. Please do not let a concern over expenses result in a lack of health care. With appropriate documentation, the Office of Student Affairs will reimburse any enrolled student up to $10,000 for costs related to an exposure.  Students must provide a copy of their Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from the health insurance AND a copy of the bill from the site at which you had services such as lab work to Ms. Laura Christopher in the Office of Student Affairs at the Byrd Clinical Center. Submit this documentation for payment or reimbursement as soon as possible after the event.  Direct any questions to Ms. Christopher at 304.691.1730 or christopherl@marshall.edu.