Table
Show By Leslie Canham, CDA, RDA An exposure incident is a specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that results from the performance of an employee's duties. Parenteral means piercing mucous membranes or the skin barrier through such events as needlesticks, human bites, cuts, and abrasions. When an exposure incident occurs, immediate action must be taken to expedite medical treatment for the exposed employee and to assure compliance with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard. The OSHA bloodborne pathogen standard requires dentists to establish a written Exposure Control Plan (ECP). The ECP is designed to help employees identify, minimize, and eliminate risks of exposure to potentially infectious materials in the workplace. In addition, the ECP must contain information for the employee on what to do when an exposure incident occurs and who to contact for post-exposure evaluation and follow-up. Your ECP should be located in your office OSHA manual. If not, you can locate a Model Exposure Control Plan on the OSHA website. The ECP requires some personalization. This means to establish policies and procedures based on your own workplace. Examples on personalizing your ECP include: instructions on what personal protective attire to wear, policies on handling contaminated items, and what steps to take in the event of an exposure incident. Review your personalized exposure incident protocol at your next morning huddle or staff meeting. You can use the sample plan provided below and add details specific to your office. Specific details include: who to report to, what health-care provider will be used, where the first aid kit and eye wash station are located, where the required OSHA accident forms are, and how to obtain employee medical records, including vaccination status. Sample exposure incident plan
Having a written exposure incident plan and reviewing it annually can help to expedite medical treatment for the exposed person. Remember time is of the essence because certain post-exposure medications are more effective if administered within hours of the incident rather than days. Be sure to locate a health-care provider near your office before you or anyone in your practice has an exposure incident. You may request a complimentary copy of the sample exposure incident protocol (in Word document) to personalize a plan for your office by sending an email to . Author bio What steps should you take if you have an exposure incident?Wash wounds and skin with soap and water.. Flush mucous membranes with water.. DO NOT USE instrument involved on patient!. Employee must report incident immediately to supervisor/employer.. What is usually the first action in the event of an exposure incident?When a worker experiences an exposure incident, the employer must make immediate confidential medical evaluation and follow-up available to the worker.
Who should be notified first of an exposure incident?Reporting Incident — Employees should immediately report exposure incidents to the employer to permit timely medical follow-up. According to the U.S. Public Health Service, if HIV postexposure prophylaxis is medically indicated it should be initiated promptly, preferably within 1-2 hours after the exposure incident.
When exposure occurs Your first response should be quizlet?What is usually the first action in the event of an exposure incident? The person to notify in the event of an exposure incident is always the direct supervisor. Employees exposed to blood or OPIM are asked to consider several things when deciding to take post-exposure preventative medications.
|