Introduction

A needle stick injury is any event in which the participant's blood can come in contact with the blood or saliva of persons working for Leiden University. We use this term not only for a puncture of the skin but also for bites, cuts or blood spatters in the eye. Any incidents involving laboratory materials should also be dealt with according to this protocol.

Needle Stick Injuries Protocol

Topic

What to do if you are the victim of a needle stick injury.

Applies to

FSW researchers

Definitions / abbreviations

• Needle stick injury: any event in which the participant’s blood can come in contact with the blood or saliva of persons working for Leiden University; this means that in addition to the puncture of the skin, bites, cuts or blood spatters in the eye also fall under needle stick injuries. Any incidents involving laboratory materials should also be dealt with according to this protocol;
• The source patient: the participant whose blood is involved;
• The exposed person: the FSW researcher who has come into contact with the source patient’s blood during the course of their work through a needle stick injury.
• VGM: Safety, Health and Environment

General remarks

• Avoid needle stick injuries by working hygienically and safely.
• Report any needle stick injuries and any contamination with blood and/or other bodily fluids with the VGM department on +31 (0)71 526 3643 (needle stick injuries) or by email at secretariaat_vgm@lumc.nl.
• You can visit the VGM department for a Hepatitis‐B vaccination without an appointment, Monday to Friday between 8:30 and 9:30 AM.

Procedure

• Start by taking all the usual hygiene and first aid measures.
• In the case of contamination of skin that is intact: wash the area liberally with warm water and soap and then disinfect with a skin disinfectant: alcohol 70% or chlorhexidine 0.5% in alcohol 70%.
• In the case of a splash incident onto the skin or mucous membranes (eyes, mouth), the surface must be immediately and thoroughly rinsed with saline solution or water
• If the skin is punctured or cut: let the wound bleed freely if possible, rinse the wound or mucous membranes with water or saline solution and disinfect the wound with a skin disinfectant.
• In the case of injury or contamination of the mucous membranes, note all the available personal details of the source patient, if possible, for the VGM department.
• Contact the research staff at the VGM department as soon as possible investigate whether any additional steps need to be taken to avoid infection with HIV, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C. During office hours on +31 (0)71 526 3643 or +31 (0)71 526 8015. Outside office hours you contact immediately the internal medicine consultant on duty at the Accident and Emergency Department on +31 (0)71 529 9418 and you notify the VGM department on the morning of the next working day on +31 (0)71 526 3643 or +31 (0)71 526 8015.