Needlestick/Splash injury

There is the potential for exposure to blood borne viruses in the following circumstances:

• following a splash to the mucous membrane (eyes, mouth, nose, open wound ) with a patient’s body fluid containing blood 
• following a human bite or scratch 
• following an injury from a sharp implement which has been in contact with a patient’s body fluid containing blood  sharp injury 

In the event that you sustain an injury described above, please act swiftly

• Bleed and wash the wound and apply a waterproof dressing
• Report injury to manager/senior person who will instigate Risk Assessment of the source patient and completion of Incident Report Form
• Source patient’s consultant, a doctor or a senior nurse will usually complete the risk assessment
• Immediately attend Occupational Health (between the hours 8.30am and 4pm) or Emergency Department (if out of hours). You must bring with you the source patient risk assessment where possible. If the assessment is not ready the manager/senior person will email or facilitate hand delivery of the risk assessment to Occupational Health/Emergency Department within one hour of the accident taking place to facilitate appropriate treatment.

Please refer to the Trust policy which can be located under the policy section on the Trust intranet