Students must notify the course director (if in the classroom/lab setting) or the clinical preceptor and MPAS program Clinical Coordinator (if in the clinical setting) as soon as possible following any exposure to blood and/or other body fluid, a needle stick or sharps injury, accident or other injury. A Chamberlain Clinical Incident Report form should be completed and submitted to the Program Director (for classroom/lab incidents) or program Clinical Coordinator (if a clinical incident) as soon as possible; however, students should not delay prompt evaluation and treatment to complete the Clinical Incident Report form and paperwork related to the documentation of the clinical incident.

In the event of serious injuries or life-threatening conditions, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. In the absence of an emergency, medical evaluation and treatment of injuries should be conducted at:

• The student’s primary care provider, the nearest healthcare facility or the nearest urgent care facility if the incident occurred in a classroom or campus laboratory setting.
• The location directed by the preceptor when incidents occur during a supervised clinical practice experience.

In the case of any needle stick injury or other accidental blood/body fluid exposure, students should immediately take appropriate measures as follows.

• Remove and properly dispose of all contaminated personal protective equipment.
• Remove any soiled clothing and wash the wound or contaminated skin thoroughly with soap (preferably antibacterial) and running water.
• If blood/body fluid was splashed in the eye(s) or mucous membrane, flush the affected area with running water for 15 minutes. Remove contacts first, if worn.
• Seek timely medical evaluation; HIV prophylaxis for high-risk exposure should be started as soon as possible but not later than 72 hours after the exposure.
  • If the exposure occurs at an off-campus clinical site, the student should follow the Infection Control policy of that facility. If the student is unable to locate the facility’s Infection Control policy, the student should immediately report the exposure incident to a preceptor.
  • If the exposure occurs on campus or the clinical site is unable/unwilling to provide medical evaluation, the student should go to a local hospital Emergency Department for 24-hour accessibility or an Urgent Care with extended hours, depending on the time of exposure and the proximity to the campus or clinical site.
• Students should follow the guidance of their evaluating clinician based upon established guidelines and have the appropriate follow-ups.