Sustaining a needlestick injury can be very stressful and scary, but it is important not to panic. Readily knowing what to do in that event can possibly prevent you from contracting a BBP.

Remove contaminated device(s) from patient care area
Remove your gloves and wash your hands with warm soapy water
Work the soap into a nice lather and scrub your hands with soap suds for at least 15-20 seconds before you rinse the soap suds off
Be sure you scrub the entire surface of your hands and not just the injury site
If skin on your hands is contaminated by blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) it is possible for you to contaminate the wound if you do not perform proper hand hygiene
If your mucous membranes are exposed, you should flush them with running water for 15 minutes
Make sure not to milk the blood out or stick your finger in your mouth.

Once you have washed your exposure site, inform your supervisor that you have had an exposure incident and proceed to your treatment facility as quickly as possible. It is also important to contact the individual that is the source of the blood or OPIM, inform them there has been an exposure, and request consent to testing for BBPs. Source individuals have the right to decline any and all testing. Even if the individual has no history of disease, testing is still recommended. People can live with these pathogens and not feel sick, but can still infect others that are exposed.

• 20% of people with HIV DO NOT KNOW they have it
• 50% of people with HBV DO NOT KNOW they have it
• 80% of people with HCV DO NOT KNOW they have it

Statistics like these are why it is essential that you get tested for your own protection. Contraction of a disease can also be prevented by getting to a treatment facility as quickly as possible and a starting post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) regime.

The paperwork that accompanies an exposure is often daunting, but we are here to help. Do not hesitate to call us so that we may assist you! In addition, our nurse on staff can assist with questions regarding post-exposure treatment and will contact a PEP hotline when necessary. These services exist to help you, especially in these stressful situations.