SOM 5020 - Blood/Body Fluid Exposure/Finger Stick

Authorizing Body:

OUWB Office of Student Affairs and Enrollment

Date Issued:

August 1, 2011

Last Update:

July 15, 2026

Last Review:

July 15, 2026

Rationale:

Scope and Applicability:

All students enrolled in the School of Medicine.

Standard Practice Guideline:

All students will receive appropriate training, as well as the provision of protective equipment to minimize exposure. However, students are in many situations during clinical clerkships where breaks in skin (“sharps” injuries) or mucosal contact may expose them to possibly infectious blood or body fluids.

Evaluation for possible ANTI-VIRAL PROPHYLAXIS should begin WITHIN 1 HOUR OF EXPOSURE.

In all such situations, students must take immediate action with no delays according to the following steps:

Procedures & Preventative Measures:

In compliance with Federal and State of Michigan OSHA standards, OUWB students will receive and complete training related to Universal Precautions, as well as Respiratory Protection, prior to any potential exposures.

In all such situations, students must take immediate action with no delays according to the following steps:

In the event of blood or fluid exposure:

• Decontaminate (wash with disinfectant) the exposed or contaminated site immediately
• Wash needle sticks and cuts with soap and water
• Flush splashes to the nose, mouth, or skin with water
• Irrigate eyes with clean water, saline, or sterile irrigants for 15 minutes
• IMMEDIATELY go to the Emergency Department (ED) at Corewell Health and have the injury inspected
• Make a note of the patient’s name, PT ID Number, attending physician, and location
• Notify the attending physician of the patient
• Have blood drawn for appropriate post-exposure serologic testing at the affiliated hospital. Reports of tests should be sent to the Graham Health Clinic director and/or the student’s primary care physician for appropriate medical recording
• If indicated, the student will be offered appropriate initial testing and post-exposure prophylaxis
• Fill out an incident report using the following steps:
  • On the Corewell Health Intranet, go to Applications
  • Select “Employee Health Incident Reporting Login”
  • Log in using your BH# and Corewell Health password (same as used for EPIC)
  • Click on “Report an Injury”

• If exposure occurs at an offsite location, go to the nearest ED and...
  • Have the injury inspected
  • Make a note of the patient’s name, PT ID Number, attending physician, and location.
  • Notify the attending physician of the patient.
  • Have blood drawn for appropriate post-exposure serologic at the affiliated hospital. Reports of tests should be sent to the Graham Health Clinic director and/or the student’s primary care physician for appropriate medical recording
  • If indicated, the student will be offered appropriate initial testing and post-exposure prophylaxis
  • Within 24 hours of the incident, fill out an incident report using the following steps:
    • On the Corewell Health Intranet, go to Applications
    • Select “Employee Health Incident Reporting Login”
    • Log in using your BH# and Corewell Health password (same as used for EPIC)
    • Click on “Report an Injury”

Financial expenses for evaluation, risk assessment, and chemoprophylaxis should be submitted to the student's insurance carrier. Expenses that are not covered by insurance will be covered by Oakland University or Corewell Health System, and coordination of care is handled by the Office of  Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

Students will be excused from all learning activities to address potential risks or effects of infectious or environmental disease or disability. Students will also meet with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management or their proxy to discuss the impact on their education or graduation date.

The Office of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management works with the Office of Medical Education to modify the clinical activities where possible for immunocompromised students for whom patients may pose unwarranted risks, or to modify or temporarily remove infected students from clinical activities where the student may pose unwarranted risks to patients. Healthcare institutions may require that students provide documentation needed to mitigate risks to patients.

Definitions:

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Related Policies and Forms:

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Appendix:

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