Exposures
Human Blood and Body Fluid Exposures
The Human Blood and Body Fluid Exposure Program (BBF Exposure), administered by Occupational Health, is designed to promote a safe work environment by minimizing the risk of illness or injury associated with and effectively managing exposures to blood and body fluids.
Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids and other potentially infectious materials should be reported immediately. Employees should page the Exposure Pager at 214-645-1600 and leave a numeric message with a return phone number. During normal business hours, an Occupational Health nurse or provider will return the page.
After business hours, the University Hospital House Supervisors will respond to exposure pages and consult with the Occupational Health nurse on call as necessary. Instructions will be given to the exposed employee about appropriate follow-up including, but not limited to, collection of patient and employee specimens, lab orders, required paperwork, etc.
*Note: Please DO NOT send specimens to the Occupational Health Clinic for processing. All collected specimens should be sent to the designated lab per instructions received from the Occupational Health nurse or House Supervisor.
Other Infectious Disease Exposures
Other infectious disease exposures, such as to tuberculosis or influenza, will also be managed by Occupational Health. Employees should first report the exposure to their immediate supervisor or manager. Supervisors and managers must then page Occupational Health using the Exposure Pager (214-645-1600) to report the exposure and use the Management of Employee Exposures to Infectious Diseases workflow for guidance through the reporting process. The Manager Reporting Tool must be submitted to Occupational Health as soon as possible.
Occupational Health will collaborate with Infection Prevention to assess the exposure and risk of infectious disease transmission. Occupational Health will provide instructions to the exposed employees about all required follow-up.
Contact information
Questions regarding employee exposures or potential exposures to blood and body fluids, other infectious materials, or other infectious diseases can be directed to Occupational Health via phone at 214-645-5300 or email, but all reports of exposures must be relayed through the Exposure Pager at 214-645-1600.