Blood Borne Pathogen Policy

UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY CHANDLER MEDICAL CENTER POLICY ON EDUCATIONAL EXPOSURE TO BLOOD BORNE PATHOGENS

I. Purpose and Definition
The purpose of this policy is to delineate the management of incidents of exposure to blood borne pathogens that involve Chandler Medical Center students, including visiting students, during the time when they are in an educational setting.

An educational exposure to blood-borne pathogens is defined as a percutaneous injury (e.g. a needlestick or cut with a sharp object), contact with mucous membranes or contact with skin (especially when the exposed skin is chapped, abraded, or afflicted with dermatitis, or the contact is prolonged or involving an extensive area) with blood, tissues, or other bodily fluids to which universal precautions apply, which occurs in the educational setting.

A student is someone enrolled in an academic or training program at the University of Kentucky.

Lended student/visiting student/visiting resident is someone registered at another university, but on an official affiliation agreement-approved clinical rotation at the University of Kentucky.

A source patient is the patient from whom the exposure originates.

II. Prevention
All Chandler Medical Center students will receive yearly information about universal precautions, blood borne pathogens, and the student directives portion of this policy. This information will be appropriate to the students' level of training and area of training. This training will be provided via the associate dean in the various colleges, or another designee, who has responsibilities for the education program.

III. Protocol for Managing Educational Exposure to Blood Borne Pathogens
A. General

Effective management of educational exposure to blood borne pathogens requires coordination among multiple units of the Medical Center . It requires training in prevention of injury and in the management of injuries when they occur.

B. Educational Exposure to Blood Borne Pathogens - Students in Educational Experiences within the Commonwealth of Kentucky

1. All students with an exposure will be directed to perform basic first aid immediately. These first aid directives will be the same as those provided to employees with occupational injuries and will be developed by University Health Service. All students should have a “baseline” laboratory test done as soon as they can get an appointment but no later than the next business day.
   
2. All students on an educational rotation in the Commonwealth of Kentucky will be directed to contact immediately the University Health Service in the event of an educational exposure. (Students on educational rotation outside the Commonwealth will be handled as delineated below in Section C.) Students will be directed to contact the on-call University Health Service physician if the University Health Service is closed. The reason that students will be expected to contact University Health Service immediately is because of the need for rapid assessment about prophylactic medications, the completion of a baseline laboratory test, the rapid prescribing of medications if indicated, and the limited capacity of a student to assess his/her own injury.
   
   Students will cooperate with the University Health Service in obtaining lab results of the "source patient" including, but not limited to, executing appropriate consents and authorizations. The University Health Service shall request the facility providing the educational experience to assist obtaining the status of the source patient pursuant to KRS 214.625,
   
   Students will provide, to University Health Service personnel, the following information, if available, concerning the exposure:
   1. Approximate time of exposure
   2. Location of exposure (e.g., hospital, office, etc.)
   3. Source of the exposure (e.g., blood, contaminated instrument, etc.)
   4. Type of exposure (e.g. skin, mucous membrane percutaneous)
   5. Length of exposure (e.g., seconds/minutes/hours)
   6. Status of the source patient: Negative, Positive, or Unknown HIV Status
   7. Whether or not patient is at risk for HIV infection because of:
      - Multiple Blood Transfusions 1978-1985
      - IV Drug User
      - Multiple sexual partners, homosexual activity
      - Known HIV positive and/or have symptoms of AIDS.
      - Significant blood or bodily fluid exposure has occurred.
      
3. If the University Health Service physician believes that prophylactic medication is indicated, the physician will prescribe it. The physician will prescribe by telephone a three-day supply of the medication to the appropriate dispensing pharmacy. The dispensing pharmacy will vary depending upon the location of the student. University Health Service will make the list of pharmacies available to personnel who may prescribe the medications. The University Health Service will prescribe the same prophylactic medications for students as those prescribed for employees with exposure to blood borne pathogens.
   
   For students on educational rotations at Chandler Medical Center or within 50 miles of the Chandler Medical Center , the baseline laboratory test will be completed at the University Health Service, and the prescribing pharmacy will be either the UK Hospital or Kentucky Clinic pharmacy. The Office of the Provost will cover the costs of a three-day supply of these medications. Students are responsible for the costs of prophylactic medication beyond day 3. Some health insurance policies may cover the costs of this medication.
   
   For students on educational rotations in the Commonwealth of Kentucky more than 50 miles from the Chandler Medical Center , alternate laboratory testing sites and pharmacy sites will be identified. This identification will be by county, will be furnished to University Health Service personnel, and will be told to the student at their Orientation to the educational activity. In addition, course directors will know the locations of the pharmacies and baseline testing sites. The Office of the Provost will reimburse the cost of the baseline laboratory test to the clinic performing the test and will reimburse the cost of a three-day supply of medication to these pharmacies. Students are responsible for the costs of prophylactic medication beyond day 3. Some health insurance policies may cover the costs of this medication.
   
   The student will be responsible for obtaining the prescribed three days of medication.
   
4. Students must contact the University Health Service at the time of injury and must follow-up with University Health Service as soon as practical or as directed by the University Health Service physician/staff. All students will report the injury to the supervising clinician/preceptor. Students on educational rotations in Kentucky, but out of Fayette County , will also report the injury to the course director.
   
5. In all situations of educational exposure to blood borne pathogens (whether or not the exposure is considered high-risk), all students will report to University Health Services for follow-up testing (as determined by the University Health Service), counseling, and continued prescription of medication (if appropriate). Students on rotation in Kentucky will have blood testing done at the University Health Service.
   
6. All students will complete a University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center Reportable Occurrence Form and Occupational Exposure Form, and bring these completed forms to University Health Service for their scheduled appointment. These forms will be available on the patient care units in the University Hospital , the Chandler Medical Center AHEC Office, the AHEC regional offices, and the Education Offices of the various colleges of the Medical Center.
   
7. All source patients should have blood work as designated by the protocol current at the present time (presently HCV antibody, HIV antibody, and Hepatitis B surface antigen.)
   
   The University Health Service Blood Borne Pathogen Program Nurse Coordinator will coordinate obtaining blood samples/reports from source patients at the Chandler Medical Center and in the Lexington-Fayette County area. In other locales, the University Health Service and the course director will work with the community preceptor to complete the necessary blood work on the source patient.
   
   The Office of the Provost will reimburse the appropriate party (e.g., hospital, laboratory or attending physician or provider) up to $ 400 to cover the costs of these tests (HCV antibody, HIV antibody, and HBS AG), after results are forwarded to the University Health Service. Invoices are to be sent to David Watt, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, Room 150 Medical Sciences Building, Lexington , KY 40536-0298.

C. Educational Exposure to Blood Borne Pathogens - Students in Educational Experiences Outside the Commonwealth of Kentucky , but inside the United States

1. All students with an exposure will be directed to perform basic first aid immediately. These first-aid directives will be the same as those provided to employees with occupational injuries and will be developed by University Health Service. All students should have a “baseline” laboratory test done as soon as they can get an appointment but no later than the next business day. All students on an educational rotation outside the Commonwealth of Kentucky will be directed to contact the appropriate health service at that institution in the event of an educational exposure. Students will be counseled to identify this location as part of their orientation to the facility. The reason that students must contact the appropriate health service immediately is because of the need for rapid assessment about prophylactic medication, the completion of a baseline laboratory test, the rapid prescribing of this medication if indicated, and the limited capacity of a student to assess his or her own injury.
   
2. Students will be directed to have source patient information available for their discussion with the appropriate personnel at the outside facility, if available, concerning the exposure:
   1. Approximate time of exposure
   2. Location of exposure (e.g., hospital, office, etc.)
   3. Source of the exposure (e.g., blood, contaminated instrument, etc.)
   4. Type of exposure (e.g. skin, mucous membrane percutaneous)
   5. Length of exposure (e.g., seconds/minutes/hours)
   6. Status of the source patient: Negative, Positive, or Unknown HIV Status
   7. Whether or not patient is at risk for HIV infection because of:
      - Multiple Blood Transfusions 1978-1985
      - IV Drug User
      - Multiple sexual partners, homosexual activity
      - Known HIV positive and/or have symptoms of AIDS
      - Significant blood or bodily fluid exposure has occurred.
      
3. If health personnel at the outside facility believe that prophylactic medication is indicated, the physician will prescribe it. The student may ask that the physician prescribe a three-day supply of the medication. This will allow the student to begin medication and consult with University Health Services personnel as well. The student will be responsible for obtaining the medication and paying for it. The Office of the Provost will reimburse the student up to $125.00 for the costs of the initial three day supply of medication.
   
4. In all situations of educational exposure to blood borne pathogens (whether or not the exposure is considered high-risk), students will contact University Health Service for follow-up testing, counseling, and continued prescription of medication (if appropriate). If it is possible for the student to return to UK immediately, all of these activities will occur in University Health Service at no cost to the student. If the student is unable to immediately return to UK , blood testing and medication may have to be obtained off campus; this may entail cost to the student.
   
5. All students will complete a University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center Reportable Occurrence Form and Occupational Exposure Form, and bring these completed forms to University Health Service for their scheduled appointment. These forms will be available on the patient care units in University Hospital , in the Chandler Medical Center AHEC Office, at the AHEC regional offices, and in the Education Offices of the various colleges of the Medical Center.
   
6. All source patients should have blood work, including HCV antibody, HIV antibody, and Hepatitis B surface antigen. The student should coordinate these test results being sent to University Health Service.
   
   The Office of the Provost will reimburse the appropriate party (e.g., hospital, laboratory or attending physician) up to $400 to cover the costs of these tests (HCV antibody, HIV antibody, and HBS AG), after results are forwarded to UK.
   
7. The cost of the initial three-day dosing of prophylactic medication prescribed by University Health Service physicians will be covered by the Office of the Provost. Students are responsible for the costs of prophylactic medication beyond day 3. Some health insurance policies may cover the costs of this medication.

D. Educational Exposure to Blood Borne Pathogens - Students in International Rotations

1. Students/residents who elect to do international rotations will be required to contact the University of Kentucky Office of International Affairs and sign appropriate forms, including a waiver of these procedures, prior to leaving for that rotation.

IV. Responsibilities
A. University Health Service is responsible for:

1. participating in the regular review of appropriate policy for the management of educational exposure to blood borne pathogens;
2. providing students with 24-hour/day access to advice about the nature of an educational exposure and the need for prophylactic medication;
3. knowing locations where prophylactic medication can be prescribed and obtained; and
4. providing appropriate testing, counseling, medical care to students with educational exposures.

B. The Office of the Provost is responsible for:

1. providing funds for reimbursement of certain costs of baseline student testing, source patient testing, and prophylactic medication.

C. The college course directors are responsible for:

1. informing faculty and students about this policy;
2. obtaining information on participating pharmacies in the various AHEC regions.

D. Medical Center associate deans with educational responsibilities are responsible for:

1. informing students about this policy and provide training in universal precautions suitable to the training and level of the student;
2. disseminating information to students about participating pharmacies.

E. University of Kentucky students are responsible for:

1. reading the student information sheet and following the guidelines.
2. identifying the appropriate contacts at UK Chandler Medical Center, AHEC sites, and rotations outside Kentucky .
3. paying for medication beyond the initial 3 day supply.

F. Lended students/visiting students/visiting resident students are responsible for:

1. contacting the University of Kentucky Health Service for guidance. Care will be provided only if exposure is high risk and no other option for care is available through lending institution.
2. paying for all expenses associated with testing, medications and related costs.

V. This policy will be reviewed on an annual basis by the Medical Center Academic Deans and University Health Service.

Reviewed and modified: July 12, 2004 by College of Medicine associate deans

NOTICE: The policy above is copied from the official version which can be found at http://www.uky.edu/Provost/documents/BBPfinal0704.doc.