Sharps, Bloodborne Pathogens and Exposure Response
Activate the safety device and drop needle and holder straight into the sharps container; after a stick or splash, wash or flush at once, report immediately, and get free medical follow-up.
After a needlestick or splash
- Skin or puncture wound: wash with soap and water right away.
- Eyes, nose or mouth: flush with water right away (eyes at the eyewash).
- Report to your supervisor immediately and follow the exposure control plan.
- The employer documents the route and circumstances and identifies the source patient unless that is infeasible or prohibited by law; the source's blood is tested for HBV and HIV once consent is obtained.
- Your blood is drawn with consent. If you allow the draw but not yet HIV testing, the sample is kept at least 90 days.
- HIV post-exposure prophylaxis, when indicated, starts as soon as possible and within 72 hours; do not wait for the source patient's result (2025 USPHS guideline).
- You receive counseling and evaluation of any illness you report, at no cost.
- You get a copy of the evaluating clinician's written opinion within 15 days of the evaluation.
Preview only. The full sheet also covers: Sharps and biohazard rules; Employer duties and records.
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1030 Bloodborne Pathogens · Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- Public Law 106-430, Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act (114 Stat. 1901, November 6, 2000) · U.S. Government Publishing Office
- Safety and Health Information Bulletin SHIB 03-10-15: Disposal of Contaminated Needles and Blood Tube Holders Used for Phlebotomy · Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- Standard interpretation (1993-04-30): EPA-registered tuberculocidal disinfectants and household bleach diluted 1:10 to 1:100 as appropriate disinfectants under 1910.1030 · Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- 29 CFR 1904.33 Retention and updating · Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- 2025 US Public Health Service Guidelines for the Management of Occupational Exposures to Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Recommendations for Post-exposure Prophylaxis in Healthcare Settings. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2025 · Cambridge University Press / PubMed Central
- Urine Specimen Collection Instructions (BD Vacutainer urine transfer straw and cup with integrated transfer port) · Cleveland Clinic Laboratories
Free Safety and Compliance practice questions
- Question 1A coworker tells a phlebotomist that adding a splash of ammonia-based glass cleaner to diluted bleach makes a stronger wipe for the draw chairs. How…
- Question 2Which abbreviations may a phlebotomist use when documenting in the patient record?
- Question 3A phlebotomist printing labels on a computer-on-wheels in a patient's room is paged to the emergency department. The patient's electronic record is…