Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids

Immediate steps for students to take after the occurrence of a needle puncture or mucous membrane exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material (OPIM)

• Clean wound with soap and water or flush affected mucous membranes with clear water
• Contact your supervisor
• For exposures at SUNY Downstate: During normal working hours, report to the Student Health Service. When Student Health is closed, report to the Emergency Room at SUNY Downstate
• For exposures at Kings County Hospital, report to the Emergency Room at KCH.
• For exposures at other clinical sites, ask the nurse in charge, who will be able to direct you how to proceed, e.g., to the Emergency Room or the Employee Health Service.  Do not rely on information from fellow students or housestaff.
• If you were not initially seen at the Student Health Center, report to the Student Health Center when it next opens for the necessary follow-up care. Services received at Student Health will be at no charge.
• Charges to your insurance for services received in the KCH Emergency Room may be reversed by reporting to the KCH Employee Health Service within 5 days, T Building, third floor.
• Your insurance may be charged for services received at other clinical sites.

NOTE: It is the responsibility of the site of the clinical rotation to provide the appropriate follow-up of the source patient, if known.