The focus for this effort is on the prevention of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and HIV infections. Upon hiring and on a yearly schedule, employees are required to attend bloodborne pathogen (BBP) training. Beyond OSHA requirements, the company’s health service focuses on HIV awareness and prevention. Information on HIV, confidential counseling, and screening phone numbers are given on wallet cards to all employees, so that no one is singled out. The hope is that they will share the information with families and friends. HIV information is also shared on the company home page, bulletin boards and lunch-time trainings.

As blood products are used in our work, the occupational health nurse has met with the infectious disease (ID) specialist, the local hospital emergency room, and the local health department clinic and has provided Ortho Clinical Diagnostics with up-to-date postexposure protocol to facilitate appropriate treatment. The local ID specialist visits the site annually and reviews the postexposure protocol. If an employee has an incident that is thought to be an exposure, the occupational health nurse evaluates and, if needed, refers the employee directly to the ID specialist rather than to the local emergency room. This is done to save time, expedite the medical evaluation, and determine if medical treatment is required.

Employees are given wallet cards with the postexposure protocol (including how to contact the ID specialist) and understand that if the occupational health nurse is not available or the exposure happened after hours, the employee is to contact the ID specialist and request an immediate evaluation. The employee is always instructed to bring as much information about the exposure to the medical appointment. All employees are given BBP postexposure packets that include a letter from the company with the recommended testing and treatment, a check-list for the employee beginning with first aid (e.g., washing the affected area for 15 minutes or rinsing eyes for 15minutes - whichever is appropriate according to the exposure) prior to initiating further care. The postexposure prevention (PEP) hotline number is included in the packet. This hotline number is especially helpful to field employees who may need treatment in a clinic that is not well versed in BBP postexposures. The postexposure packet is available on the company website, outside the occupational health nurse’s office, at the security entrances to the facility, and is given to all first aid responders.

In addition, postexposure protocol is posted in all laboratories and in the manufacturing area. Employees are educated to err on the side of safety and always request an evaluation, even if the product/blood of concern is on their uniform or intact skin. This is done so that a medical professional can make the appropriate determination whether further care is needed. Also, the health services’ voice mail has directions to follow in the event of an exposure.