In Case of Needle Stick Injury

1. Wash and clean injury/flush mucous membranes immediately.
2. Assess risk
   1. Characterize exposure
   2. Evaluate exposure by medical history (see questionnaire below)
   3. Evaluate and test exposed individuals (see below)
3. Decide whether or not HIV post-exposure prophylaxis is needed with your healthcare provider.
4. Follow up with a healthcare worker for any pending labs, unknown source patient lab results, or any further questions. Appointments can be made at the LSU Campus Clinic, 478 S. Johnson St, 504-412-1366.

The below actions shall be immediately taken following blood or body fluid exposure:

Incident/Accident Reporting: https://www.lsuhsc.edu/admin/pfm/ehs/iaform.aspx

Bloodborne Pathogens - Exposure Control Plan: https://www.lsuhsc.edu/admin/pfm/ehs/docs/EHS300.04%20-%20Bloodborne%20Pathogens%20Exposure%20Control%20Plan.pdf

• Administer initial first aid and wash the affected area (e.g., needlestick or cut) with soap and hot water. 
• If exposure is by splash of infectious materials to the nose, mouth, or eyes, the affected area should be flushed extensively with water, saline or sterile irrigating solution.
• Immediately notify your on-site supervisor (Faculty, Resident, Faculty Site Coordinator) of the incident.
• Document the routes of exposure, the biological material of exposure, and how the incident occurred. Your on site supervisor can assist with the documentation.
• Obtain consent from the source patient to conduct HIV, hep B, and hep C testing. If HIV postexposure prophylaxis is medically indicated, it should be initiated promptly.
• Seek immediate medical care at the nearest clinic facility.
  • If the exposure occurs at an LSUHSC on-campus facility, report directly to Student Health Clinic located on the 3^rd floor of the Seton Building (478 S. Johnson Street).
  • If the exposure occurs outside of an LSUHSC on-campus facility, seek care within the hospital/clinic in which you are currently being trained.
    • It is your responsibility to be familiar with the procedures of the hospital/clinic at which you are training.
    • Students who experience exposure at an off-site location should be prepared to report to the institution’s infection control office. This is usually the institution’s employee health service.
  • For those training within a facility without access to immediate care, seek care at the nearest emergency care facility (Emergency Room or Urgent Care).
• Students should present their BCBS needlestick insurance card for coverage of the visit and labs.
• Once initial medical care is obtained, the student’s on-site supervisor shall notify Student Health at 504-568-1800 or studenthealthstaff@lsuhsc.edu for guidance on follow-up actions. A DA3000 form should be completed: https://www.lsuhsc.edu/admin/pfm/ehs/iaform.aspx
• For 12 weeks postexposure, abstain from sexual contact or use barrier methods, avoid blood/tissue donation, and refrain from breastfeeding when possible.

Blood Monitoring Schedule

Initial Draw:

On Source Patient
HIV 1/2 Ag/Ab Combo w/ Reflex
Hep B Surface Antigen (for Hep B positive persons, test hep B viral load instead)
Hep C Antibody or Hep C RNA (Hep C viral load)

On Student/Healthcare Worker
HIV 1/2 Ag/Ab Combo w/ Reflex
Hep B Surface Antibody with quantitative titers

Hep B Surface Antigen

Hep B Core Antibody total

Hep C Antibody with reflex to HCV RNA

CBC, CMP, urine pregnancy test if planning to take post exposure prophylaxis medications.

• Ideally, initiate medication within 30-90 minutes of exposure, but at least within 72 hours
• Follow up with healthcare provider within 72 hours. Call the LSU Campus Clinic, 478 S. Johnson St, 504-412-1366 for an appointment.

HIV Post-Exposure:

• HIV 1/2 Ag/Ab Combo w/ reflex test repeated at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.

• PEP Meds -- Isentress 400 mg twice daily and Truvada once daily for 28 days (pregnant Women: Combivir and Kaletra)

Hep C Post-Exposure - no post-exposure prophylaxis is recommended for HCV.

• Test HCV RNA viral load immediately and then again at 4-6 weeks post-exposure, followed by hepatits C antibody w/reflex to HCV RNA at 4-6 months after exposure.

Hep B Post-Exposure - If source patient tests negative for Hep B surface antigen, no follow-up Hep B testing is necessary for the healthcare worker.

• If source patient tests positive for Hep B surface antigen, for exposed person who do not have HBV immunity, Hep B surface antigen and Hep B core Ab (total) is drawn, followed by administration of hepatitis B immune globulin and Hep B vaccine intramuscularly at different sites. HBIG and second dose of hep B vaccine are administered again one month later. The standard adult dose of HBIG is 0.06 mL/kg administered intramuscularly.  Hepatitis b surface antigen and hep b core antibody are repeated at 6 months.

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/healthcare/risk-factors/bloodborne-infectious-diseases.html

Call the Clinicians' Post Exposure Prophylaxis Line at 1-888-448-4911 if you have questions about medical treatment. Go to the National Clinician Consultation Center for more information.

Source Risk Assessment Questionnaire

Have you ever tested positive for HIV? Yes/No
Have you ever tested positive for Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C? Yes/No
Have you ever had a sexually transmitted disease? Yes/No
Did you receive a blood transfusion or blood products between 1978 and 1985? Yes/No
Have you ever used needles to inject street drugs? Yes/No
Have you ever shared needles to inject street drugs? Yes/No
Have you ever had sex with another person with HIV and AIDS? Yes/No
Are you a male who has had sex with male partners? Yes/No
Have you had sex with a person who injects street drugs? Yes/No
Have you ever traded sex for money, drugs, food or housing? Yes/No
Have you had unprotected sex (of any kind) within the last 10 years with someone other than your spouse? Yes/No
Have you had occupational exposure to blood or body fluids such as a needle stick within the last 10 years? Yes/No
Do you have a sex partner with any of the above risks for HIV? Yes/No
Are you or may you be pregnant? Yes/No

Comments:

Signature: ___________________________________________

Date: ___________________________________________

Reviewed By: ___________________________________________

 

NEEDLESTICK BENEFIT

Administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of LA

Needlestick injuries that expose students to blood-borne pathogens are an important public health concern, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana offers a separate needlestick benefit, which is available on the Basic Blue Plan or as a standalone option. This benefit provides coverage for eligible students for testing and prophylactic treatment of blood borne diseases following at risk contact with blood or other bodily fluids from human or animal sources. The contact may include, but not limited to, needlesticks. This benefit will cover 100% of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana allowable charge for the physical evaluation, physician office visit, student health clinic, outpatient facility, lab work, Hepatitis and HIV Antibody and Antigen tests, and an initial round of Hepatitis B vaccine.

According to the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Schedule of Benefits, the only claims eligible for 100% coverage are claims submitted with ICD-10 Codes W46.1XXA, W46.1XXD, W46.1XXS, Z57.8 and Z77.21 regardless of the place of treatment. Students, remind your examing physician that one or more of these diagnosis codes must be used to cover your visit.

This Benefit Plan does not cover any inpatient admission, additional or follow-up testing or treatment not specific to
needlesticks, antiviral or antibiotic treatments or pharmacy benefits outside of those specifically listed under the Prescription
Drug Benefit section below. In the case of a needlestick injury, please visit BCBSLA's website at www.bcbsla.com for all in-network providers and facilities.
Students who have Medicaid as their primary insurance must present both their needlestick card and their Medicaid card to ALL
medical providers. 

• If a student is filling a prescription not related to a needlestick injury, and the prescription is denied, he/she should ensure that the BCBSLA Needlestick Coverage is not being processed as their primary insurance.  If the BCBSLA Needlestick Coverage is being processed as the student's primary insurance, the student should have the pharmacy run the BCBSLA Needlestick ID Card and deny the charge and then run the prescription with their Medicaid card or other private insurance card.
• Find information about how to obtain a BCBSLA Digital ID Card here.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFITS
Administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of LA
The needlestick policy offers coverage per occurrence when a student has experienced a needlestick injury. The
needlestick policy identification card that students receive in the mail includes information necessary to process
pharmacy claims in the event of a needlestick injury.
Bring your prescription to an in-network pharmacy. Please go to www.bcbsla.com to find an in-network pharmacy.

Covered drugs are Prophylaxis Drugs, Truvada and lsentress.

• To be prescribed when a student has come in contact with a potentially contaminated needle during the course of
  their training.
• Covered at 100%; There is no member cost share.
• Benefit is limited to a 3-day supply per occurrence.

LSUHSC Students are to report the needlestick incident to LSUHSC Student Health at 504-568-1800 or email
studenthealthstaff@lsuhsc.edu. 

 

Updated 2/2026