• Dental / Oral Health
  
• Exposure to Blood & Body Fluids
  
• Immunization & Vaccines / Vaccine Preventable Program
• Infectious Diseases / Prevention and Control
  
• Influenza
• Pandemic Influenza
  
• Needle Exchange Program
  
• Nutrition
  
• Travel Health
  
• Smoking Cessation
  
• Resource Links
  
• Nexus Newsletter
• Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Profile
• Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections
  

Emergency Department Guide to Mandatory Blood Testing Act Feb 2008 (113 kb) Form 1 - Physicians Report Form 2 - Applicant Report Form 3 - Respondent Form

Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit developed Guidelines for Managing Exposures to Blood Borne Pathogens - These guidelines are to support health care providers in their assessment and management of persons with accidental exposures to blood and body fluids that may be infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The guidelines address both occupational and non-occupational exposures.

All persons with significant recent exposures to blood or body fluids should be immediately referred to the nearest emergency department.

Full Document: (bookmarked/indexed)
Guidelines for Managing Exposures to Blood Borne Pathogens (125 kb PDF )

Table of Contents

Introduction - Page 1

Exposure to Blood/Body Fluids - Page 2

A. Initial Management Guidelines

I. General Measures - Page 2

II. Evaluate the Significance of the Exposure - Page 2

III. Serologic Testing for HBV, HCV and HIV - Page 4

• Test the Source Patient
• Mandatory Blood Testing Act, 2006 Chapter 26
• Test the Exposed Person

B. Post Exposure Management: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

I. Risk of HIV Infection Post Exposure - Page 6

II. The Importance of Timing - Page 6

III. Medication Availability and Cost (Antiretrovials) - Page 6

IV. Serologic Testing (if antiretrovirals are indicated) - Page 7

C. Post Exposure Management: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)                 

I. Risk of HBV Infection Post Exposure - Page 9

II. Post Exposure Prophylaxis for HBV - Page 9

D. Post Exposure Management: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

I. Risk of HCV Infection Post Exposure - Page 9

II. Post Exposure Prophylaxis for HCV/Early Treatment for HCV - Page 9

E. Post Exposure Counseling                                                                          

I. Risk of Infection Post Exposure - Page 11

II. Reporting Illness in the Follow-up Period - Page 11

III. Secondary Spread - Page 11

IV. Medication (PEP) Compliance and Medical Follow-up - Page 11

Managing Non-Occupational Exposures to Blood/Body Fluids

F. Community Acquired Needle Stick Injuries

I. Decisions Surrounding Community Exposures - Page 13

II. Infectious Risks - Page 13

III. Counseling Recommendations and Follow-up - Page 14

G. Sexual Exposures

I. The Risk of Transmission following a Sexual Assault - Page 15

II. Evidence to Support HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis - Page 15

III. Treatment - Page 15

H. Human Bites

I. Significance of the Exposure - Page 16

II. Management of Human Bites - Page 17

I. Important Contact Information - Page 17

J. Bibliography - Page 18