Exposures

Human Blood and Body Fluid Exposures/Needle Sticks

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 and students should first report the exposure to their immediate supervisor or manager. Supervisors and managers can reference Policy 3.03: Management of Employee Exposures to Infectious Diseases workflow for guidance through the reporting process. The Infectious Disease/Pathogens Exposure Reporting Form 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 blood and body fluid/Research Laboratory exposures must be relayed through the Exposure Pager at 214-645-1600.