Emergency Needlestick/Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure for Students of the University of Cincinnati

Accidental needlesticks and/or body fluid exposure can happen, but it's extremely important that you follow the protocols below and report the incident.

After Needlestick or Body Fluid Exposure

If indicated, HIV prophylaxis should be started within TWO hours.

It is important that blood/body fluid exposures be reported immediately to ensure appropriate care for the exposed student and to obtain necessary blood from source patient for testing.

• Cleanse wound with soap and water and irrigate area with saline. For eyes, irrigate with water, saline, or sterile ophthalmic irrigating agent.
• Report the incident per-protocol of the site at which you are rotating (incident location site) regarding documentation, obtaining source blood, etc.
• Source patient blood tests are to be ordered by the provider responsible for the source patient's care.
• Notify your supervisor immediately of the incident.
  
• Receive care from your medical provider or the nearest emergency department that accepts your insurance.

Baseline SOURCE Tests are to include:

Hepatitis B surface Ag
Hepatitis B core IGM
Hepatitis C Ab
Rapid HIV

Baseline EXPOSED PERSON Tests are to include:

Hepatitis B surface Ag
Hepatitis B surface Ab
Hepatitis B core Ab
Hepatitis C Ab
4th Generation HIV

Reporting Instructions for Students

If you have UC Student Health Insurance or are a UC student with BBP insurance, please report your incident according to the schedule below:

• Monday - Friday
  University Health Services (UHS), from 8:30 am to 4 pm, by calling 513-556-2564. It is best to call first to ensure the office is open.
• Nights, Weekends, and University Holidays/Closures
  University of Cincinnati Medical Center or your nearest emergency department. If you need advice, call 513-584-STIX. Follow up with University Health Services the next workday at 513-584-STIX or 513-556-2564.
• Away From Cincinnati
  Go to any hospital emergency room where you can get immediate care. If you need advice, call UHS (513-556-2564) or the University of Cincinnati Medical Center operator (513-584-7777 or 513-584-PAGE) and page the UHS provider on call. Report your exposure to UHS at 513-584-STIX or 513-556-2564.
  

Student Health Insurance / Billing

• File a Claim: Bloodborne Pathogen Claim Form
• For billing purposes, provide HealthSmart’s address (located at bottom of Claim Form) to any providers from whom you received treatment for the exposure.
• Submit the BBP Claim Form immediately. If you later receive a bill for services rendered, email it to STUDINS@UCMAIL.UC.EDU who will process it through your BBP Insurance to pay for the covered services received within 30 days of your exposure.
• Go to the UC Student Health Insurance Policy Benefits and Supplemental Policies page for more information.

Students must complete the claim form and submit to:

Health Smart Benefit Solutions
3320 W. Market St., Suite 100,
Fairlawn, OH 44333.

Claim status may be checked by calling 1-800-331-1096. Contact the UC SHI Office at 513-556-6868 for any questions.

If you do not have UC Student Health Insurance

Contact your insurance company for instructions or go to the nearest emergency department that takes your insurance. You may receive care at UHS. You will be billed for your care.

Note: Call University Health Services at 513-556-2564, UHS Needlestick Hotline at 513-584-7849, or have the University of Cincinnati Medical Center operator (513-584-7777 or 513-584-PAGE) page the UHS provider on call for any questions regarding immediate appropriate medical care. You will need to follow the protocol of the site at which you are rotating regarding documentation, obtaining source blood, etc.