Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure

What to do during a bloodborne pathogen (BBP) exposure
 

If you are an employee of the University of Texas, please follow these steps:

• Do not let the source patient leave
  • Draw blood from the source patient. We will need labs from them.
     
• Clean the exposure site for 15 minutes
  • Wash needle sticks and cuts with soap and water.
  • Irrigate eyes with clean water or saline.
  • Flush mouth, nose, or skin with water.
     
• Fill out these forms
  • First Report of Incident
  • IMO Acknowledgement
  • EHS Incident Notification
     
• Contact Employee Health for necessary Lab slips
  • Email: dellmedemployeehealth@austin.utexas.edu
  • Phone: (512) 495-5363
     

For an after hours BBP exposure

During the event of an exposure while working a shift of rotation at a partner site, such as Ascension, or after normal business hours at UT Health Austin, please go to your nearest Emergency Department or 24 hour Urgent Care. The nearest ED to the Health Transformation Building is Dell Seton Medical Center.

Send an email to Employee Health with all relevant details. A team member will respond the next working day.
 

Important things to remember

• Tell Employee Health as soon as possible -- don't wait until the end of the day!
  • While the initial exposure wound might not be that bad, possible HIV treatment must begin within 72 hours if the source patient is not drawn on site or is positive for HIV.
• If you work for the University of Texas, please follow our protocol!
  • Not everyone who works in/around the Health Transformation Building is employed by UT Austin. Make sure to follow the appropriate guidelines according to your employer.
•  Do not allow the source patient to leave!
  • Please take a blood draw to allow for quicker testing. If the source patient is negative, so are you!