Student Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Algorithms

Was the exposure the result of a fingernail scratch or a bite? 

• If NO: Proceed to Step 2. 
• If YES: Proceed to Step 3. 

Was this a clean sharp (needle or surgical instrument) stick or poke? 

• If YES: See "Not a Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure" below. 
• If NO: Proceed to Step 2a. 

Was the sharp item contaminated with blood or body fluid? 

• If YES: See "Follow Exposure Protocol" below. 
• If NO: See "Not a Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure" below. 

Was the source patient bleeding from their mouth or scratching bloody fluids? 

• If NO: See "Not a Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure" below. 
• If YES: Proceed to Step 3a. 

Did the bite or scratch break your skin? 

• If YES: See "Follow Exposure Protocol" below. 
• If NO: See "Not a Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure" below. 

This is not an exposure to a bloodborne pathogen. If material is considered toxic or the injury is severe, go to either AUC or the ED for evaluation. 

Call Student Insurance and follow exposure protocol. Go to AUC for evaluation.

Was the splash from blood or bodily fluid? 

• If YES: Proceed to Step 2. 
• If NO: Proceed to Step 5.

Was the body fluid visibly bloody and/or blood or blood products? 

• If YES: Proceed to Step 3. 
• If NO: Proceed to Step 4.

Did the blood or bloody body fluid come into contact with a mucous membrane (for example, mouth, eyes, or nose) or non-intact skin such as an open wound or cut? 

• If YES: See "Follow Exposure Protocol" below. 
• If NO: See "Not a Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure" below.

Was the body fluid semen, vaginal or rectal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, amniotic fluid, or saliva from a dental procedure that came into contact with a mucous membrane (for example, mouth, eyes, or nose) or non-intact skin such as an open wound or cut? 

• If YES: See "Follow Exposure Protocol" below. 
• If NO: See "Not a Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure" below.

Did the splash exposure involve a culture medium or solution from a fixed, partially fixed, or unfixed tissue or organ sample that came into contact with a mucous membrane or non-intact skin (such as an open wound or cut)? 

• If YES: See "Follow Exposure Protocol" below. 
• If NO: Proceed to Step 6.

Were there other tissues from experimental animals containing HIV or HBV, or were there HIV-containing cells or tissue/organ cultures? 

• If YES: See "Follow Exposure Protocol" below. 
• If NO: See "Not a Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure" below.

This is not an exposure to a bloodborne pathogen. Call Student Insurance to report the splash. If material is considered toxic, go to AUC for evaluation. If the injury is severe, go to the ED or AUC for evaluation.

Call Student Insurance and follow exposure protocol. Go to AUC for evaluation.

Non-infectious body fluids include feces, nasal secretions, saliva, sputum, sweat, tears, urine, and vomit, as long as these are not visibly contaminated with blood. This applies to Steps 1 and 2 above.