Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control

Section V.   Medical Services

A. Hepatitis B Vaccination

Hepatitis B is a type of viral hepatitis acquired from exposure to human blood and body fluids that results in liver inflammation. While the use of standard / universal precautions helps in the protection from Hepatitis B, the Hepatitis B vaccine is an additional measure offered to all employees in Category I and Category II free of charge through the Norris Health Center.

NOTE:   The cost of the vaccination for employees is charged back to the employing department. Departments with employees classified as Category I or Category II must establish accounts for the charges with the Norris Health Center business office.

NOTE:   Students, volunteers and "good samaritans" are not eligible for "free" vaccination and must arrange for payment through the Norris Health Center business office or make alternate arrangements with other qualified health care providers.

NOTE:   Employees classified as Category I or Category II wishing to obtain HBV vaccination from other sources must assume personal financial responsibility for the cost of the vaccination and must offer acceptable proof of vaccination to the employer.

  1. As part of the orientation process, education and training will be provided regarding the Hepatitis B vaccine. These training records must be maintained for a minimum of 3 years from the date on which the training occurred.

    At a minimum, this training will include efficacy, safety, method of administration, benefits of being vaccinated, and the fact that the vaccine is available at convenient times in-house at no charge to any employee where occupational exposure may take place.

    This training will be provided during working hours at no cost to the employee by a health care or safety professional knowledgeable in the subject matter as it relates to the workplace.

  2. Following the required training, all employees in Category I and Category II will be offered the Hepatitis B vaccine, free of charge, within 10 working days of initial assignment unless the employee has previously received the complete Hepatitis B vaccination series and antibody testing has revealed that the employee is immune or if the vaccine is contraindicated for medical reasons (e.g. allergic to yeasts).
  3. All employees offered the Hepatitis B vaccine will complete the Consent Form for Hepatitis B Vaccination.
  4. Once completed, the Consent Form shall be placed in the employee's permanent record.
  5. For those desiring the Hepatitis B vaccine, an Employee Immunization Record will be maintained until each of the 3 steps of the vaccination process is complete. (Initial, 30 days from initial and 6 months from initial.)
  6. Once the series is complete, the Immunization Record will become part of the employee's permanent record.
  7. Vaccines will not be provided for employees that are no longer employed by the University. Employees may choose not to complete the series of 3 inoculations. If an employee leaves the University's employment, they will not receive initial or subsequent inoculations. If the series is not completed, the reason and the employee's signature must be written on the Immunization Record.
  8. An employee may initially decline the Hepatitis B vaccine, but at a later date may decide they want the vaccination. If this occurs, the employee must complete a new Consent form and steps 3-6 of this procedure must be followed.
  9. If a routine booster dose(s) of Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service at a future date, the booster dose(s) will be made available, free of charge to the employee.
  10. The Hepatitis B vaccine must be performed by or under the supervision of a licensed physician, or under the supervision of another licensed healthcare professional.
  11. The healthcare professional responsible for the employee's Hepatitis B vaccination must be provided a copy of the Final Rule, Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens, Federal Register, Subpart Z of 29 CFR part 1910.1030, [56 FR 64004, Dec. 06, 1991, as amended at 57 FR 12717, April 13, 1992; 57 FR 29206, July 1, 1992; 61 FR 5507, Feb. 13, 1996; 66 FR 5325 Jan., 18, 2001].
  12. VERY IMPORTANT: The Director of the Norris Health Center may give the order for the vaccination and will be involved and/or present when vaccinations are given. Preparation for possible reactions should be discussed with the Director or another physician. S/he will order the appropriate drug to have on hand in the event an adverse reaction to the vaccine occurs.
  13. Other: The University may, at its discretion, conduct a prescreening program (to determine HBV titer) although participation in this program is not a prerequisite for receiving the Hepatitis B vaccination.

B. Post-Exposure Evaluation and Follow-Up

Recommended Procedures for Post-Exposure Follow-Up to Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Any employee who believes they have experienced an exposure incident should follow these procedures:

  1. Squeeze the puncture or open area to induce bleeding. Cleanse the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
  2. If a mucous membrane (eyes, nose or mouth) or eye exposure occurs: Irrigate the affected area immediately with copious amounts of water or normal saline for at least 3 minutes.
  3. Report the incident to your supervisor.
  4. Immediately seek medical treatment at an emergency room or contact UWM's Worker's Compensation Program at x5652 for a list of occupational health physicians.
  5. The following must be provided to the treating physician:
    • A copy of the Final Rule Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens, Federal Register, Subpart Z of 29 CFR part 1910.1030;
    • A description of the exposed employee's duties as they relate to the exposure incident;
    • Documentation of the route(s) of exposure and circumstances under which exposure occurred;
    • Results of the source individual's blood testing, if available; and
    • All medical records relevant to the appropriate treatment of the employee including vaccination status which are the employer's responsibility to maintain.

    You should inform the emergency room intake personnel or treating physician that the charges are to be filed under State of Wisconsin Workers' Compensation.

  6. The supervisor, together with the exposed employee, must fill out the "Employee's Work Illness and Injury Report" and an "Employer's First Report of Injury of Disease" as soon as possible after the exposure incident.

NOTE:   A potential exposure has occurred when one of the following has happened:

  1. Contact of human blood or other potentially infectious materials with mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth)
  2. Contact of human blood or other potentially infectious materials with non-intact skin.
  3. Puncture or break of skin with a sharp object (e.g., needle) contaminated with human blood or other potentially infectious materials.

UW-Milwaukee students who believe they have been exposed to a bloodborne pathogen should consult with the Norris Health Care Center or their personal health care provider for exposure follow-up.

Forms

References

Updated June 25, 2008 by SAK