NEEDLESTICKS AND OTHER BLOOD/BODY FLUID EXPOSURES
- Always observe Standard Precautions.
- If you have a significant exposure to blood or other body fluids (e.g., needlestick, cut), immediately clean the wound with soap and water.
- Exposed oral and nasal mucosa should be decontaminated by vigorously flushing with water. Exposed eyes should be irrigated with clean water or sterile saline.
- Follow the protocol of the hospital in which the incident occurred to the fullest including all follow-up (through the hospital's Employee Health Service). If you are uncertain of the hospital’s post-exposure protocol, you may call the WHSC Needlestick Hotline for guidance (404-727-4136). It is especially important that you report your exposure to the hospital’s Employee Health Service as soon as possible so that a timely evaluation can be performed. If prophylactic medications are indicated, it is recommended they be initiated as soon as possible after the exposure.
- Acute serology should be drawn at the Employee Health Service to establish your baseline antibody titers to hepatitis B virus (if you have not previously been determined to be HBsAb positive [immune to Hepatitis B]) and, if indicated, to HIV and/or Hepatitis C Virus [HCV].
- Depending on the results of your serology and the baseline serology of the source patient (from whom the exposure occurred), you may need follow-up serologies and additional testing as per the hospital protocol where the injury occurred.
- If the source patient is HIV-infected, the administration of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP or "prophylactic” antiretroviral medications) to decrease the risk of patient to health care worker transmission should be strongly considered. Medications may be initiated pending results of HIV serology on the source patient. If used, these medications should be taken as soon as possible after the exposure. The hospitals have protocols and will counsel you and give advice as needed. PEP regimens are complicated; therefore be sure that the individual who manages your exposure consults with the Hospital Epidemiologist. Call/page the Hospital Epidemiologist or ID service if you have any questions about management of the needlestick or other occupational exposure.
- The following list of specific areas and/or individuals should be contacted at the facility in which the exposure occurs:
| Daytime hours, Monday thru Friday: | |
| Employee Health & Wellness Services | call 404-616-7849 (STIX) |
| After hours and on weekends: | |
| Needlestick Hotline | Call 404-616-7849 (STIX) |
Susan Ray, MD Hospital Epidemiologist, Division of Infectious Diseases
Office: 404-251-8712, Pager: 404-837-8946; Home: 404-373-8537
Henry Blumberg, MD Physician, Division of Infectious Diseases
Office: 404-727-5096; Pager: 404-686-5500, ID#15029; Home: 404-377-5095
If you are unable to reach any of the above individuals, ask the paging operator at 404-616-4307 to contact the Infectious Diseases Attending on call; if not available contact the Infectious Diseases Fellow on call.
| Daytime hours, Monday thru Friday: | Infection Control/Employee Health Room 611, Joyce Thompson RN: |
404-321-6111, Ext. 6471 |
| After hours and on weekends: | Emergency Room | 404-321-6111, Ext. 6640 |
Robert Gaynes, MD, Division of Infectious Diseases
Office: 404-321-6111, ext. 7508; Cell: 770-315-3335
Abeer Moanna, MD, Division of Infectious Diseases
Office: 404-321-6111 ext 12093. Pager 404-225-0576 Home: 404-846-6362
Office: 404-318-6111 ext 207463; Cell: 678-372-1331
If you are unable to reach any of the above individuals, ask the paging operator at 404-321-6111 to contact the Infectious Diseases Attending on call; if not available contact the Infectious Diseases Fellow on call.
|
Daytime hours: |
Occupational Health Services (OHS) Orr Bldg 6th floor, 550 Peachtree St |
404-686-8587 |
| After hours and on weekends: | Page Administrative Nursing Supervisor Hospital Epidemiologist on call: |
(PIC#11917) Pager: 404-686-5500, ID#51427 |
| OHS (APP) on-call: 404-686-550, PIC# 50464 |
| Medical Director: Dr. Scott Henderson scott.henderson@emory.edu |
Jesse Jacob, MD, Associate Hospital Epidemiologist, Division of Infectious Diseases
Office: 404-686-1564; Pager: 404-686-5500, ID# 16623
James Steinberg, MD, Associate Hospital Epidemiologist, Division of Infectious Diseases
Office, 404-686-1564, Pager 404-686-5500, ID# 15770
If you are unable to reach any of the above individuals, ask the paging operator at 404-686-1000 to contact the Infectious Diseases Attending on call; if not available, contact the Infectious Diseases Fellow on call by dialing 404-686-5500, PIC# 50260.
|
Daytime hours: |
Occupational Health Services (OHS) D219 Emory Hospital |
404- 686-8587 |
| After hours and on weekends: | Page Administrative Nursing Supervisor Emergency Room |
(PIC#13087) 404-712-7100 |
| OHS (APP) on-call: 404-686-550, PIC# 50464 | ||
| Medical Director: Dr. Scott Henderson scott.henderson@emory.edu | ||
Jav Varkey, MD, Hospital Epidemiologist, Emory University Hospital and Emory Division of Infectious Diseases
Office: 404-727-1580; Pager: 404-686-5500, PIC# 15326
If you are unable to reach any of the above individuals, ask the paging operator at 404-727-4611 to contact the Infectious Diseases Attending on call; if not available, contact the Infectious Diseases Fellow on call.
CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA
Employee Health, Needlestick Hotline: 404-785-7777 (available 24/7) for suspected or confirmed bloodborne pathogen exposures:
|
Infection Prevention on-call |
404-785-0577 |
(If you do not get a response within 15 minutes, please call Children's Contact Center - 404-785-7778 and request to be connect to the Infectious Disease Service on call. the nursing supervisor or the hospital operator for additional contact information)
Children's System Epidemiologist
Andi Shane, MD Pediatric Infectious Diseases
ashane@emory.edu
Updated 2024