Bloodborne Pathogens

For specific program’s Bloodborne Exposure procedures and contact information, please choose your program below:

• School of Medicine
• School of Nursing
• School of Dentistry
• MEDEX
• Laboratory Medicine/MLS
• School of Pharmacy
• Rehab Medicine – Occupational Therapy
• Rehab Medicine – Physical Therapy
• Rehab Medicine – Prosthetics & Orthotics 
• Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health Program
• School of Speech and Hearing
• School of Social Work – Seattle
• School of Social Work – Tacoma
• School of Public Health
• Genetic Counseling 

For more information about what to do after a BBP exposure, needlestick or sharps injury, see the Bloodborne Pathogens page.

Exposure Treatment & Coverage of Costs at a Non-UW Medicine Site

Students on rotation at a non-UW Medical site who have a blood or body fluid exposure during a clinical or practicum experience should be seen at the nearest ER and use their personal insurance for treatment. HSIP will pay or reimburse any uncovered costs after the student’s insurance is billed first.

• Health science students are not employees while they are engaging in education-related activities at clinical sites and are, therefore, not covered by workers’ compensation at either the clinical site or UW.  Treatment for exposures is NOT considered an on-the-job injury since students are NOT employees at clinical training sites.  
• Follow-up care after an initial evaluation for an exposure should be arranged through the UW Campus Employee Health Center (EHC), if indicated to do so. Contact UW EHC at emphlth@uw.edu or call (206) 685-1026.
• If the exposure occurs outside the Seattle area, please contact HSIP at myshots@uw.edu for assistance with arranging follow-up care, if indicated.  
• HSIP assistance with medical expenses is only for BBP exposure; it does not include other types of injuries or illnesses that may be related to your clinical or practicum experience.
• HSIP does not cover after-insurance reimbursement for exposures related to international travel. Students are strongly encouraged to obtain and carefully review the terms of supplemental travel insurance prior to each trip.
• Students are eligible for the reimbursement described in this section only if they are enrolled and have paid the HSIP fee.

If your insurance does not cover all the costs associated with post-exposure care, or if you have questions about reimbursement for expenses related to a BBP exposure, needlestick or sharps injury, please contact HSIP staff by email at myshots@uw.edu and note in the email subject line: “Reimbursement Question.” Alternatively, you can leave a voice mail message at (206) 616-9074.

Exposure Treatment & Coverage of Costs at a UW Medicine Site

Students on rotation at a UW Medicine site (UW Medical Center, UW Northwest Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, UW Dental Clinic, or other UW Medicine site) who have a blood or body fluid exposure during a clinical or practicum experience should be seen immediately at those sites’ corresponding Employee Health Center during regular business hours Monday – Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.  

• Follow-up care after an initial evaluation for an exposure should be arranged through the UW Campus Employee Health Center (EHC), if indicated to do so. Contact UW EHC at emphlth@uw.edu or call (206) 685-1026.
• Students will not be billed for costs of exposure care performed at any UW Medicine Employee Health Centers. 
• After hours students at a UW Medicine site should be seen at the nearest ER and use their personal insurance for treatment.  HSIP will pay or reimburse any uncovered costs after the student’s insurance is billed first.  Health science students are not employees while they are engaging in education-related activities at clinical sites and are, therefore, not covered by workers’ compensation at either the clinical site or UW.  Treatment for exposures is NOT considered an on-the-job injury since students are NOT employees at clinical training sites.