If an employee reports an exposure incident to blood or
other potentially infectious material, a confidential medical evaluation shall be made
immediately available to the exposed employee, including at least the following items:
Documentation of the route(s) and circumstances of
exposure.
Identification of the source individual, unless
impossible.
Prompt testing of the source individual's blood for HBV
and HIV as soon as consent is obtained. If consent cannot be obtained, this shall be
documented.
If the source individual's HBV or HIV status is known to be positive, repeat
testing need not be done.
Results of the source individual's testing shall be made available to the
exposed employee, along with information about the applicable laws and regulations
regarding disclosure of identity and infectious status of the source individual.
Prompt testing of the exposed employee's blood for HBV and
HIV shall be done as soon as the Medical Evaluation Consent Form (Appendix C) is signed
and received.
If the employee does not consent to serological testing, consent to a
baseline blood collection may be given. The sample shall be preserved untested for at
least 90 days.
If, within 90 days of the exposure incident, the employee chooses to have the
sample tested, this shall be done promptly using the stored sample as baseline and a
current sample to document seroconversion. Without a preserved sample, baseline
seroconversion to a specific incident cannot be proven.
The district shall provide to the healthcare professional
responsible for the employee's Hepatitis B vaccination:
a copy of this regulation (refer to Appendix A);
a description of the exposed employee's duties as they relate to the exposure
incident;
documentation of the route(s) of exposure and circumstances under which
exposure occurred;
results of the source individual's blood testing, if available; and
all medical records relevant to the appropriate treatment of the employee
including vaccination status which are the employer's responsibility to maintain.
Exposed Employees
Exposed employees shall be counseled by a knowledgeable
healthcare professional regarding their exposure and any medical and/or legal
implications.
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
If medically indicated and requested by the employee after
appropriate counseling, any prophylactic procedures recommended by the U.S. Public Health
Service shall be made available.
Employees Contracting Illness
Employees contracting illness as a result of occupational
exposure shall be evaluated and provided with appropriate medical care. Appropriate
reports of occupational illness shall be made.
Written Opinion
Within 15 days of an exposure evaluation the employee
shall be provided with a copy of the physician's written opinion which shall be limited to
the following:
whether HBV vaccination is indicated and if the employee
has received it;
that the employee has been informed of the results of the
evaluation;
that the employee has been informed about any medical
condition resulting from exposure which requires further evaluation or treatment.
All other findings of the diagnoses shall remain
confidential and shall not be included in the written report.
and
Safety
