St. Olaf College

Bloodborne Pathogens

Exposure Control Manual

Section 5
EXPOSURE AND EVALUATION




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HEPATITIS B VACCINE PROCEDURE


  • A. St. Olaf will offer the vaccination series for hepatitis B to all employees who have occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens. The college will use the post-exposure follow-up process described in this section for employees who have had a reportable exposure.

  • B. The hepatitis vaccination series, medical evaluation, lab tests and post-exposure follow-up will be made available to the employee at no cost.

  • C. Hepatitis B vaccination will be made available after blood borne pathogen training has been completed, and within ten days of initial assignment for persons who have come into positions with potential occupational exposure, or who have had new duties assigned which present occupational exposure opportunities. The vaccination series is not mandatory. An employee in an affected classification will be offered the series at any time, even if the offer was originally rejected.

  • D. All employees who decline the offer of hepatitis B vaccination must sign a waiver form which documents the offer of the vaccination and the employee's wish to decline.



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Hepatitis B Virus Vaccination Declination Form
 I understand that due to my occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials I may be at risk of acquiring hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. I have been given the opportunity to be vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine, at no charge to myself. However, I decline hepatitis B vaccination at this time. I understand that by declining this vaccine, I continue to be at risk of acquiring hepatitis B, a serious disease. If, in the future I continue to have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials and I wish to be vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine, I can receive the vaccination series at no charge to myself. 


        ____________________________________        ____________
                Employee Signature                      Date


        ____________________________________                                 
                  Employee Name
 

        ____________________________________        ____________
              Countersign Signature                     Date


        ____________________________________
                 Countersign Name



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POST-EXPOSURE EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
  • A. All exposure incidents must be reported to the employees immediate supervisor as soon as possible. Our Definition of Terms section says an exposure incident is, "A specific exposure to the eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, or puncture exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials that results from the performance of an employee's duties." Exposure incidents must be investigated and documented.

  • B. Following an exposure incident, the exposed employee must receive a confidential medical evaluation and follow-up which includes, at the least, the following:

    • 1. Documentation of the route of entry and the circumstances involved in the exposure incident.

    • 2. Identification and documentation of the source individual unless it can be established that such an identification is unfeasible or prohibited by any applicable law.

    • 3. The exposed employee will be offered the option of having their blood evaluated for HIV/HBV status. The sample will be retained for ninety days to allow time for the employee to decide of HIV tests should be completed.

    • 4. The source individual's blood shall be tested as soon as feasible and after consent is obtained in order to determine HBV or HIV infection. If the source individual is known to be HBV or HIV positive, further testing need not be pursued.

    • 5. Results of test from the source individual will be made known to the exposed employee. The employee will be informed regarding laws and regulations that address disclosure of the source individual's identity and infectious status.



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RELATION WITH HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS
  • A. St. Olaf will ensure that the health care professional responsible for the medical evaluation and hepatitis B vaccination is provided with the following information:

    • 1. A copy of 29 CFR 1910.1030.

    • 2. A written description of the exposed employee's duties. Written documentation of the route of exposure and circumstances under which the exposure occurred.

    • 3. Results of the source individual's blood testing, if available.

    • 4. All medical records of the exposed employee that are related to the exposure, including vaccination status.


  • B. The health care provider will provide a written opinion and the college must provide the exposed employee a copy within fifteen days of the completion of the evaluation. In order to ensure confidentiality, the written opinion must be limited to:

    • 1. The exposed employee's vaccination status, and whether or not vaccination for HBV is indicated following this exposure.

    • 2. A statement that the exposed employee has been informed about any medical conditions resulting from exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials which require further evaluation or treatment.


  • C. All other findings shall remain confidential, and will not become a part of the written record.


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