SUNY Downstate
Policy on Procedures for Care and Treatment After Exposure to an Infectious or Environmental
Hazard
Purpose
This policy describes the procedures for care and treatment after exposure to an infectious
or environmental hazard including a definition of financial responsibility.
Policy
Note: These policies mirror specific policies adopted by the College of Medicine which
are located on this web page.
- Immediately after exposure to a needle puncture or mucous membrane exposure to blood
or other potentially infectious material (OPIM) the student should:
- Clean wound with soap and water or flush affected mucous membranes with clear water
- Contact his or her supervisor. The student should not rely on fellow students or housestaff
for instructions.
- The student should report to the following depending on the site of clinical rotation
or care:
- For exposures at SUNY Downstate during normal working hours, the student should report
to the Student Health Service. When Student Health Services is closed, report to the
Emergency Room at SUNY Downstate.
- For exposures at Kings County Hospital, the student should report to the Emergency
Room at KCH.
- For exposures at other clinical sites, the student should ask the nurse in charge,
who will be able to direct the student how to proceed, e.g., to the Emergency Room
or the Employee Health Service.
- If the student was not initially seen at the Student Health Services, the student
should report there when it next opens for the necessary follow-up care. The Student
Health Center is located at 440 Lenox Road, Apt 1-S, and is open Mon-Fri, 9 am-4 pm.
The contact number is 718-270-1995 or 2018.
- Services received at Student Health will be at no charge. Charges to the student’s
insurance for services received in the KCH Emergency Room may be reversed by having
the student report to the KCH Employee Health Service within 5 days. The student’s
insurance may be charged for services received at other clinical sites.
- It is the responsibility of the site of the clinical rotation to provide the appropriate
follow-up of the source patient, if known.
Approved by the Council of Deans, December 2015
