Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure/Needlestick/Injury

For students who experience an exposure to blood, visibly bloody fluid, body fluid, e.g. cerebrospinal, synovial, peritoneal, pleural, amniotic, semen, secretions from a needlestick/cut or splash to eyes, mouth, nose or open cut, animal bite/lab injury at UMASS Chan Medical School or UMASS Memorial:

What to Do:  

1. Gently bleed, wash, flush affected area with soap and water.
2. Page the BUGS beeper 77- BUGS ( 2847)
3. Notify your supervisor/supervising resident (if there is one) and Clerkship Director.
4. Obtain Evaluation - Don’t Delay!  It is important to be evaluated within 2 hours of exposure. You may have to begin immediate treatment. 

  Employee Health 291 Lincoln Street, Suite 100 (508) 793-6400 Hours M-F 7:00am - 5:00pm

                                If after hours, go to the Emergency Department.

    DO NOT go to Student Health for any immediate attention for a needlestick/body fluid exposure.

5. Fill out incident report (available in each department) and send to Employee Health.
6. All students with exposures will contact Student Health for follow-up after initial visit in the ER or with Employee Health.

7.Please contact Student Accident Plan to file a claim with Zurich at 888-585-9033

If you are at an away site (rotations/clinicals outside of Umass Memorial), students should follow the protocol at that site for initial treatment and follow-up with your primary care provider or Student Health. 

  Exposure to Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a chemical used within the Anatomy Labs.  Air quality in the Anatomy Lab is monitored by Environmental Health Safety (EH&S).  If a student has a concern for symptoms that may be related to Formaldehyde exposure:

What to do:

1. Call Student Health Services (508) 334-8464. (Do not walk in)

2. Once evaluated by your provider, if it is determined that a formaldehyde filtering type of mask is appropriate the provider will complete the mask recommendation letter

3. Students are to provide this letter to their anatomy instructor and coordinate with EH&S for mask fitting 

Note:  Any student experiencing severe acute symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea or vomiting due to a potential formaldehyde exposure during anatomy lab are to go to the ER immediately