Exposure to blood and body fluids

Policy and Guidelines for the Management of Occupational or Non-Occupational Exposures to Blood and Body Fluids

This section is to be read in conjunction with the Queensland Health Policy Guidelines for Management of Occupational and Non-Occupational Exposures to Blood and Body Fluids on the Queensland Health website.Students are required to sign a statement that they have read and understand the Queensland Health Policies on this and other issues. While USQ Nursing Students will be placed in both Queensland Health and Private health facilities, these guidelines will still apply.

Note: The following guidelines apply to both students and USQ Education Provider staff.

Preamble

These guidelines apply whenever an exposure to blood or other body fluids has occurred irrespective of when or how the exposure has occurred, during clinical practice, during clinical laboratory work, or in the students non-occupational activities. When exposure occurs during non-university activities, the onus is on the student to report the exposure to an appropriate person (Medical Officer, Emergency Department or USQ Student Health), to enable assessment and follow-up to be undertaken in a timely manner. Where the exposure occurs during a USQ activity including clinical placement, contact must be made with the Clinical Office as soon as possible. An 'Incident Report' must be completed and handed to the Clinical Office, to enable timely assessment and follow up via USQ facilities (Student Health).

Guidelines

1. Gently encourage bleeding if the exposure involves a cut or puncture, then wash the area with soap and water.
2. Wash with soap and water where the exposure does not involve a cut or puncture.
3. If eyes are contaminated then rinse open eyes while they are open, gently but thoroughly (for at least 30 seconds) with water or normal saline.
4. If blood or other body fluids get in the mouth, spit fluid out and then rinse the mouth with water several times.
5. If clothing is contaminated, remove clothing and shower if necessary.
6. Inform an appropriate person to ensure that necessary further action is undertaken.

Reporting

Where the exposure has occurred during a USQ activity including laboratory or clinical placement, students are required to do the following:

1. Basic first aid in the form of points 1-5 above should not be delayed for the purposes of reporting, unless this can be accomplished simultaneously.
2. Students must report the exposure to their Preceptor/Mentor or Clinical Teacher (or clinical supervisor in the case of USQ Education Staff)
3. The Preceptor, Mentor or Clinical Teacher (or clinical supervisor) will direct the student (or staff member) to the relevant institutional policy, which may include attendance at the Staff Health Clinic or Emergency Department.
4. Students (or USQ Education staff) should ensure that the Clinical Office is contacted as soon as possible regarding the exposure.
5. Students (or USQ Education staff) should ensure that a copy of the institutional 'Incident Report Form' is forwarded to the Clinical Office (which will then be forwarded to the USQ Safety Office for further assessment and follow up)
6. If there is difficulty promptly obtaining a copy of the institutional 'Incident Report Form', students will be provided with a USQ 'Incident Report Form' to be completed by themselves and their clinical supervisor.