The document outlines infection control protocols for healthcare personnel regarding occupationally acquired HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases. It details post-exposure evaluation procedures, medical treatment, and the necessity of reporting incidents for follow-up and preventive training. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of proper housekeeping and disposal of hazardous materials to ensure safety in healthcare settings.

1. Infection Control and
Communicable Diseases
By: Darryl Jamison
Macon County EMS Training
Coordinator

2.  ALWAYS WEAR GLOVES WITH EVERY
PATIENT

3. Background

4.  Nurses—5,378
 Health Aides—5,638
 Technicians—3,182
 Physicians—1,792
 Therapists—1,082
 Dental Workers—492
 Paramedics—476
 Surgeons—122
 Other—5,050
 Total—23,212

5. Healthcare Personnel with Documented and Possible Occupationally Acquired
AIDS/HIV as of December 2001
 Nurses—24/35
 Laboratory Worker/Clinical—16/17
 Physician (non-surgical)—6/12
 Lab. Tech./Non-clinical—3/0
 Housekeeper—2/13
 Surgical Technician—2/2
 Embalmer—1/2
 Respiratory therapist—1/2
 Dialysis Tech.—1/3
 EMT/Paramedic—0/12
 Surgeon—0/6

6. Post Exposure Evaluation and
Follow-Up

7. Protocol for Obtaining Medical Treatment, Counseling,
Baseline Blood Testing, and Prophylaxis
 Contact the supervisor immediately.
 Employees will be seen initially at
AMC Emergency Dept. and will
receive follow-up care and
counseling from Macon County
Health Department, with the
exception of HIV exposure which
should be followed up with primary
care physician. This will include but
not limited too, prophylactics.
 Initial evaluation will be according to
the protocol of the receiving medical
facility, and CDC guidelines for
Occupational Exposure of Healthcare
Professional.
 Each exposure shall be documented
on a MCEMS Exposure Report Form
and appropriate Workers’ Comp
form. An appt. should be made ASAP
, no longer than 24 hours p exposure.

8. Serological Testing of Exposed Employees
 The exposed employees’ consent is required for collection and testing of blood for
exposure. If baseline consent is denied, the exposed employee should be
requested to have blood drawn and stored, usually for a period of 3 months,
leaving the option open for the person to provide consent for serological testing at
a later date.

9. Source Patient Consent for Blood Draw
 By NC general statute the source patient has no right to
refuse blood testing.
 Should be made from the time of initial care within the
hospital setting, if for some reason the exposure occurs at
the scene, contact supervisor or training officer, and he/she
will make contact with the source patient for testing
arrangements.
 Should also contact shift supervisor of the receiving
facility for proper testing.

10. Medical Followup
 The facility that provides initial baseline testing,
and prophylactic treatment of exposed employees
shall forward the information to the Macon County
Health Department, within 24 hours if possible (ie.
Weekends).
 Macon County Health Department will provide
additional treatment, exception for HIV exposure,
and counseling, which should be done in person if
possible.

11. Accident/Incident Review
 T.O. will review the circumstances of the exposure
to determine if procedures, protocols and/or
training need to be repeated or revised to prevent a
reoccurence of the incident.
 The completed “Exposure Incident Report Form”
should be completed and returned to the T.O. to
initiate this process.

12. Post Exposure Highlights
 Documentation of exposure routes and how exposure
incident occurred.
 Identification of documentation of source individuals
infectivity, if possible
 Collection and testing of employees or students blood for
HBV and HIV serological status, consent required
 Post-exposure prophylaxis when medically indicated
 Counseling
 Evaluation of reported illness

13. Housekeeping
 Clean up kit.
 A 1:10 dilution of 5.25% clorox and
water.
 Red bag
 Use only tongs, forceps or brush and
dust pan for cleaning up broken glass
 Inspect and decontaminate on a
regular basis reusable receptacles (ie,
trash cans)
 If visibly contaminated clean as soon
as feasible.
 Shall disinfect each shift, preferably
after each call, anything that touches
the patient and/or you touch will
providing care after transfer.
 Regulated medical waste shall be
placed in a closable and labeled or
color-coded container.
 When discarding contaminated
sharps, place them in a closable,
puncture-resistant, appropriately
labeled leak-proof container for that
purpose.

14. Cont.
 Sharps containers shall be placed where they are easily accessible,
to the immediate area where sharps will be used.
 Containers shall be kept upright throughout use, replaced routinely,
closed when moved, and not allowed to overfill
 When replaced, take to the hospital for disposal.

15.  NEVER recap any needles clean or contaminated
 ALWAYS make sure that the safety mechanism is
working
 NEVER hand someone else YOUR needle
 Immediately discard used needle after use
 ALWAYS draw up your own medicine

24. Types of Safety Needles