In case of exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials, you must act fast to prevent possible serious health problems. Follow these key steps after the exposure:
A. Any person sustaining a puncture injury or cut from potentially contaminated sharps should:
- Expose, express (encourage bleeding if the wound is small) and thoroughly flush the wound area with soap and water for 15 minutes
- Apply an antiseptic, and cover with sterile dressing.
- If soap and water are not available, then an antiseptic (solution, wipe, spray) should be used.
- If emergency care is needed either call 911 or proceed to the nearest medical facility for treatment.
- If non-emergency care is needed by an employee or student employee, proceed to MU Urgent Care at 3916 S. Providence Rd. (573) 882-1662 (M-F 8:00am - 8:00pm). After these hours report to MU University Hospital Emergency Room.
- NOTE: Principal Investigator or Supervisor must complete and sign "Report of Injury" Form (UM-WC1) and give to injured staff member to present to medical personnel at University Work Injury Services.
- Students (not student employees) with a non-emergency injury should report to Student Health Services or call 882-7481.
- The PI or Supervisor must contact EHS (882-7018) as soon as practically possible to report the incident.
- The Principal Investigator or Supervisor must also report the injury (within 24 hours) to the Workers' Compensation program by sending the "Report of Injury" Form (UM-WC1) to the MU Workers' Compensation Coordinator.
B. Splashes of blood or other potentially infectious material (OPIM) to the eyes, nose, mouth, or intact skin.
- Wash any area exposed to blood or OPIM with tepid water and soap for at least 5 minutes.
- Alcohol-based hand rinses, gels, foams (containing 60+% alcohol) should be used when water is not available.
- If splashes are to the eyes, irrigate eyes with clean water or commercially available eyewash solution for 15 minutes.
- If emergency care is needed either call 911 or proceed to the nearest medical facility for treatment.
- If non-emergency care is needed by an employee or student employee, proceed to MU Urgent Care at 3916 S. Providence Rd. (573) 882-1662 (M-F 8:00am - 8:00pm). After these hours report to MU University Hospital Emergency Room.
- NOTE: Principal Investigator or Supervisor must complete and sign "Report of Injury" Form (UM-WC1) and give to injured staff member to present to medical personnel at University Work Injury Services.
- Students (not student employees) with a non-emergency injury should report to Student Health Services or call 882-7481.
- The PI or Supervisor must contact EHS (882-7018) as soon as practically possible to report the incident.
- The Principal Investigator or Supervisor must also report the injury (within 24 hours) to the Workers' Compensation program by sending the "Report of Injury" Form (UM-WC1) to the MU Workers' Compensation Coordinator.