This month Dr. Shana Steege, interim director of Employee and Occupational Health, shared a new process for reporting bloodborne pathogen exposures.
This process was developed with employee feedback in mind to streamline how exposures are reported and managed. It includes several key enhancements:
- Clear, Step-by-Step Instructions: The updated website provides easy-to-follow instructions to guide you through the reporting process, ensuring you receive the proper care and support.
- Convenient, Web-Based Form: You can now report exposures directly to Employee Health using a new web-based form, accessible from your phone, tablet, or computer.
- Auto-Generated Lab Requisition Form: A pre-filled Lab Requisition Form will be automatically generated and emailed to you for collecting and transporting the source patient’s blood sample to the lab for testing.
- Direct Lab Submission: The source patient’s blood sample can now be sent from your unit or clinic to the lab.
- Longer Treatment Window: HIV prophylaxis medications can be started up to 72 hours after an exposure, providing more flexibility.
- Instant Prescription: A prescription and First Fill e-card will be emailed to you right away if you request to begin HIV prophylaxis medications while waiting for the source patient’s test results.
- No Immediate Bloodwork Needed: There’s no longer a need to visit the Emergency Department, Urgent Care, or Employee Health immediately after an exposure for baseline bloodwork. Bloodwork will only be required if the source patient tests positive for HIV, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C.
- Quicker Response Times: Employee Health will contact you within 24 hours (including weekends and holidays) to discuss the source patient’s test results and any follow-up care.
More detailed information about the new process is available on the updated Bloodborne Pathogen Exposures website.
For questions about the new process, please reach out to your manager. You may also contact Employee Health at emphlthc@utmb.edu or (409) 747-9172.