Published by Occupational exposure can occur to anyone who is exposed to potentially infectious materials. For instance, if you cut yourself unintentionally with a sharp blade that a healthcare worker used on a patient or maybe in the course of your work, you are exposed to potentially infectious material. Any of these circumstances constitutes an exposure incident.
As a personal injury attorney, I have worked on several cases involving accidental exposure incidents, and here is what you need to know.
Summary of the Key Findings
- Any exposure incident is handled as if the equipment had come into contact with a dangerous pathogen, regardless of the circumstances.
- The medical care of the exposed person can be accelerated with a written exposure incident plan that is reviewed annually.
- Before exposure, the source person's identity and infectiousness status must be determine so that the source patient's blood can be collected for testing at an authorized laboratory.
Definition of Exposure Incident
An exposure incident occurs when blood or other potentially contagious material comes into contact with the eye, mouth, mucous membranes, or even non-intact skin [1]. Any liquid, including saliva, semen, blood, or phlegm, that has the potential to carry viruses or other harmful material qualifies as potentially infectious material.
Any exposure incident should be handled as though the equipment had come into contact with a harmful pathogen, even if the patient was initially sterile and no disease had been identified.
Although there are many different ways that people can be exposed to various materials, this lesson will focus on the dangers of bloodborne pathogens such as hepatitis B, C, and HIV viruses.
Examples of Exposure Incidents
Examples of employee exposure incidents include:
- Parenteral contact with a contaminated item such as narrow needles
- Splashing or splattering on the face's mucous membranes
- Any other incident involving contact with non-intact skin, blood, or potentially infectious materials (cuts, scratches, chapped skin, etc.) [2].
Steps to Follow After an Exposure Incident
Several different environments can lead to an exposure incident. It may occur in a medical facility when administering vaccinations. As previously mentioned, it can take place during surgery. Other possible venues are a dental office or even a tattoo parlor.
The reporter should develop a plan specifically for each setting since exposure incidents can occur in various contexts.
1. Immediately tend to the exposure site's medical needs.
- Use soap and water to sanitize and clean cuts and skin.
- Water-flush the mucous membrane.
- Never use the instrument on the patient.
- The employee must immediately report the incident to the supervisor/employer.
2. Establish the risk related to exposure.
- Identify a variety of fluids (e.g., blood, visibly bloody fluid, or other potentially infectious fluid or tissue).
- Identify the exposure type (e.g., percutaneous injury, other mucous membrane or non-intact skin exposure, or bites resulting in blood exposure).
3. Examine the source of exposure.
- Utilize the information at hand to determine the infection risk.
- It is necessary to enquire about the HBV, HCV, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) status of the source individuals (patients). If not known, inquire if they agree to be tested.
4. Promptly refer the exposed employee to a healthcare provider, who will conduct the testing, medical examination, prophylaxis, and counseling procedures.
- Healthcare must provide some suggested interventions that must begin immediately in order to be effective.
- The exposed employee has the right to reject any examination, laboratory tests, or recommendation by a health care physician. This denial must have documentation.
5. For the employer: send the following information to the healthcare provider along with the exposed employee:
- Bloodborne Pathogens Standard copy.
- A description of the tasks performed by the exposed employee about the exposure incident.
- Exposure to Accidental Bodily Fluid Form
- Documentation of the exposure route(s) and environmental conditions that led to the exposure (Form for Accidental Body Fluid Exposure)
- All medical records are important to the employee's proper care, such as proof of HBV vaccination and, if known, the source person's HBV/HCV/HIV status.
6. The healthcare professional (HCP) will:
- Analyze the incident of exposure and conduct a confidential medical evaluation.
- Set up employee and source individual testing (if the status is not already known).
- Inform the employee of all test results.
- Offer post-exposure prophylaxis and counseling.
- Assess the reported illnesses.
- Send the exposed person's employer a written opinion (for example, whether Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended and whether it was administered).
A written exposure incident plan reviewed annually can help hasten the exposed person's medical care. Remember that time is important because some post-exposure medications work best when taken shortly after the exposure rather than days later or have window periods covering their effectiveness. Therefore, make sure to identify a nearby healthcare facility before you or anyone in your practice can be involved in an exposure incident.
How To Report An Exposure Incident?
In the event of an exposure incident, one must immediately report the incident to their supervisor. Early reporting is essential for starting immediate intervention to address any potential worker infection. Employers must report any exposure to HBV or HIV and do a follow-up that includes determining the source's HBV and HIV infectiousness status. The employer must also evaluate the exposure incident's circumstances promptly.
Importantly, the source individual's identity and infectious status must be known prior to exposure. The employer must test the individual's blood if state or local law allows testing without the source's consent.
The exposed worker has the right to know about the results of these tests and must be informed of the local laws and regulations.
Related Articles:
- Monsanto Roundup Lawsuit
- Benzene Exposure Lawsuit
- Burn Pit Exposure Lawsuit
- PFAS Lawsuit
See all related toxic tort lawsuits our attorneys have covered.
What is OSHA?
OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which plays a big part in public health service recommendations, among other things. The organization formulated the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, which are guidelines to follow in the event of exposure incidents.
For employees in the private sector or in the government, OSHA is the federal organization in charge of ensuring safe and healthy working conditions. Its aim is to help working people by offering assistance, education, community outreach, and training.
"When an exposure incident occurs, immediate action must be taken to expedite medical treatment for the exposed employee and to assure compliance with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard."
- Leslie Canham, Consultant Specializing in Infection Control
OSHA is responsible for establishing regulations for a variety of settings, including construction sites, nuclear power plants, and locations where potentially dangerous equipment or materials are present. Even though this lesson focuses on exposure incidents with blood-born pathogens, OSHA is also in charge of doing so for a wide range of other settings.
In addition to the guidelines, the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard includes record-keeping obligations for businesses, such as confidential medical records for workers who had occupational exposures, records of the training, and a sharps injury log that meticulously details each sharps injury.
FAQs
1. What must an employee do if an exposure incident occurs?
When an exposure incident occurs, an employee must immediately report the incident to the responsible supervisor or manager.
2. What are the three things to be included in an exposure incident report?
The three things to be included in an exposure incident report are the exposure's time, place, and context. A list of everyone involved, including the exposed person, the names of the people who provided first aid, and, if available, the name of the source person.
3. What is the first action in the event of an exposure incident?
The first action in the event of an exposure incident is to make sure that the exposed person is aware of the potential dangers of an exposure incident.
Were You A Victim of An Exposure Incident?
Suppose you were a victim of an exposure incident. In that case, you might want to contact an attorney about filing a lawsuit for compensation for damages suffered from exposure to substances that caused an exposure incident.
At Schmidt & Clark, LLP, we have a team of exposure law experts who can assist you if you are a victim of an exposure incident. They are also available for a free consultation session whenever you want to discuss the situation in more detail.
References:
- https://www.plu.edu/occupational-health-safety-manual/bloodborne-pathogen-exposure-control-plan/exposure-incidents/
- https://www.labce.com/spg945318_bloodborne_pathogens_and_exposure_incidents.aspx