Emergency Personnel and Other Job Related Exposures:

If an emergency first responder or job site worker becomes exposed to blood or other bodily fluids from a dead body and that body comes to our facility, the OME will provide autopsy samples from the deceased (exposure source) to the Utah Public Health Laboratory.  The Utah Public Health Laboratory will then conduct Hepatitis B and HIV testing on these samples.

Following their department’s exposure protocol, the employee’s Health Information Officer  (HIO) or the health care provider currently treating the exposed personnel should contact the OME (801-816-3850) and alert us that there was an exposure as soon as possible so that we collect the necessary samples during our examination.  The HIO or health care provider will also need to complete the Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Testing Request Form and forward it to the Utah Public Health Laboratory.

The results of these tests will be forwarded to the Department of Epidemiology who will then notify the appropriate party with the results.  HIV & Hepatitis test results may only be released to the health care provider for the exposed co-worker or directly to the “designated health information officer” of the emergency responder’s department. 

AFTER HOURS

If the exposure occurs after regular working hours, the employee may utilize an emergency room for immediate follow-up of an occupational exposure incident.  Follow up should be made as soon as possible with the employer’s Health Information Officer.

Print a copy of the Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Testing Request Form

Good Samaritans:

If a member of the general public or a family member is exposed to blood or other bodily fluids during lifesaving activities or during cleanup of a death scene they will need to contact their primary care physician.  Their doctor will then do testing on the exposed person(s) they feel is appropriate and initiate any prophylactic steps that they deem necessary.   The physician will also need to complete the Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Testing Request Form and forward it to the Utah Public Health Laboratory.

Testing will be performed on samples from the decedent for Hepatitis B and HIV by the serology department of the Utah Public Health Laboratory.  The results are forwarded to the Department of Epidemiology and then made available to the requesting physician attending to the exposed person(s).

AFTER HOURS

If the exposure occurs outside of business hours of their personal care physician, the exposed person may utilize an emergency room for immediate follow-up of an exposure incident.  Contact with a personal physician and filing of an exposure form should be done as soon as possible.

Print a copy of the Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Testing Request Form