L 1520 Protocol - Injury Following Needlestick, Human Bite or Exposure to Bodily Fluid

Number: L 1520
Date Published: 12 May 2021
Version 1 – May 2021

1.0 Summary of Changes

1.1 This is a new joint protocol for Essex Police and Kent Police. It should be read by all officers and members of staff.

2.0 What this Protocol is about

2.1 This protocol sets out the procedure following a needlestick, human bite or exposure to bodily fluid suffered by any member of staff.

Compliance with this protocol and any governing policy is mandatory.

3.0 Detail the Protocol

3.1 What is a Blood Borne Virus (BBV)

3.1.1 Contact with blood and body fluids via needlestick, scalpel or knife injury, bone fragment penetration, human bite through skin, exposure of broken skin, splash exposure of mucous membrane of the eye / nose and mouth.

3.2 Do the following first aid actions:

• Encourage bleeding from a skin puncture wound - DO NOT SUCK;
• Wash the skin area thoroughly with soap and running water, do not scrub the wound;
• Cover with a plaster;
• If the eye, nose or mouth has been splashed with blood or bodily fluids, irrigate with copious amounts of water / saline;
• REPORT THE INCIDENT TO YOUR SUPERVISOR ON DUTY.

3.3 Immediately afterwards:

1. The individual must attend the local Accident and Emergency Department for assessment of risk and potential treatment as soon as possible;

2. The individual should complete LFL003 Health and Safety Incident form via SAP ESS and submit it to their line manager for completion. Occupational Health will receive a copy of this form and provide follow up support in line with standard operating procedures;

3. All individuals should report to Occupational Health at the first available opportunity for appropriate follow-up.

3.4 Follow-up:

• Following receipt of the LFL003 Health and Safety Incident form, Occupational health will manage the follow-up in line with the SOP

3.5 Action Plan Following a BBV

Exposure to bodily fluids via skin, mucous membranes and eyes

Definitions

• ‘Exposure’ - broken skin or mucous membranes contaminated with blood and/or body fluids;
• ‘Significant Exposure’ - Percutaneous injury – from needles, medical instruments, bone fragments, significant bites that break the skin;
• ‘Broken skin’ - abrasions, cuts, eczema;
• ‘Mucous Membranes’ - including the eye/nose and mouth.

First Aid

Action – First Aid

• Encourage Puncture Wounds to bleed, DO NOT SUCK;
• Wash site with soap and water, DO NOT SCRUB;
• Use lots of water to irrigate mucous membranes.

Report

Action – Report

• Report incident to line manager immediately;
• Go to the nearest A&E department immediately.

A&E Risk Assessment

Risk Assessment

• Type of exposure;
• Severity of Injury;
• Body Fluid exposed to;
• Source known Bloodborne Virus (BBV) status;
• Source risk factors for BBv’s.

A&E Immediate management

Immediate management in A&E

• Antibiotic;
• Hepatitis B immunisation;
• HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP);
• Baseline blood sample from or storage from the recipient;
• Arrange BBV testing of source via healthcare practitioner, if available.

Police Occupational Health Service Follow up

• Planned follow up in Occupational Health as per Protocol.

3.6 Further reading:

• http://library.college.police.uk/docs/appref/Managing-Blood-borne-Virus-Exposure-in-Custody-Dec-2018.pdf
• https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/835888/Guidance_on_management_of_potential_exposure_to_blood__2_.pdf
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/healthservices/needlesticks/
• https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg342.pdf
• https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/accidents-first-aid-and-treatments/what-should-i-do-if-i-injure-myself-with-a-used-needle/

3.7 Administration

3.7.1 Medical records will be completed by OH.

4.0 Equality Impact Assessment

• EIA – March 2021

5.0 Risk Assessment

5.1 There is no specific risk assessment or health and safety consideration thought relevant to the content of this protocol.

5.2 Officers and members of police staff engaged within the process must remain aware that they must follow the protocol correctly otherwise the risk to the organisation of a possible employment tribunal could be raised. A failure to fully adopt the principles set out in this protocol could have a detrimental effect upon the reputation of the organisation.

6.0 Consultation

6.1 The following have been consulted during the formulation of this document:

• Unison
• Police Federation
• Superintendents Association

7.0 Monitoring and Review

7.1 The Senior Occupational Health Advisor / OH manager will monitor that best practise is adhered to in the completing of OH follow up activity.

7.2 The monitoring of this HR protocol will be by the Head of Health Services.

7.3 The protocol will be reviewed every two years.

8.0 Governing force policy. Related force policies or related procedures (Essex) / linked standard operating procedures (Kent)

8.1 This HR protocol supports the overarching HR policy L1.

8.2 Data Security

8.2.1 Essex Police and Kent Police have measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management Policy – W1000 Policy – Information Management.

8.3 Retention & Disposal of Records

8.3.1 Essex Police and Kent Police will hold data in accordance with our Records Review, Retention & Disposal Policy – W 1012 Procedure/SOP - Records Review, Retention and Disposal.

8.3.2 We will only hold data for as long as necessary for the purposes for which we collected.

9.0 Other source documents, e.g., legislation, Authorised Professional Practice (APP), Force forms, partnership agreements (if applicable)

• None