body fluids exposure

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I was with a nurse at a delivery today and when the doctor cut the cord the nurse got blood splashed on her face. Would you be concerned??

I was with a nurse at a delivery today and when the doctor cut the cord the nurse got blood splashed on her face. Would you be concerned??

Uh, yeah. Wouldn't you?

Specializes in Pediatrics (Burn ICU, CVICU).

Why wasn't she wearing a mask?

yah but prenatals say hep B and HIV neg

Masks are not used in or hospital

yah but prenatals say hep B and HIV neg

Still you should follow the facilities policies and procedures in regards to this type of exposure, I believe most situations like this would be handled the same way as a needle stick injury. It's about protecting yourself in these types of instances. Exposure through the tissues of the eye would be a concern.

Specializes in OB.

I'd follow the hospital procedures for exposure, but if it was on my intact skin and not in my mouth or eyes I wouldn't lose any sleep worrying over it.

Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.
I'd follow the hospital procedures for exposure, but if it was on my intact skin and not in my mouth or eyes I wouldn't lose any sleep worrying over it.

I'm with you on that

Specializes in LDRP; Education.
I'd follow the hospital procedures for exposure, but if it was on my intact skin and not in my mouth or eyes I wouldn't lose any sleep worrying over it.

Ditto on that.

Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Question: why would masks not be worn? How about universal precautions etc.?

Specializes in Addictions, Corrections, QA/Education.

Yes...Univeral Precautions-Splash shields, masks, gowns, gloves. I am sure they had to have those to protect the healthcare workers.

They don't have splash shields at this hospital and they don't stock masks execpt for when doing epidurals. Even if they did have slpash shields they would only be used by the physicians. Do all the nurses in your hospitals wear masks/slpah shields at routine deliveries at your hospitals??

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