What is the recommended protocol for testing an employee for hepatitis after a needlestick or biohazardous exposure?
A. Health care organizations must provide protocols for prompt evaluation, treatment, and followup of employees exposed to bloodborne pathogens. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires employers to immediately make available a confidential medical evaluation and followup to a health care worker reporting a needlestick or biohazard exposure (29 CFR 1910.1030). Upon reporting an exposure, the health care worker should be evaluated and counseled regarding the risk of prophylaxis for HIV, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus and the need for followup evaluation. Efforts also should be made to identify the source patient and to evaluate that person clinically and epidemiologically for evidence of HIV, HBV, and HCV infection. The source patient should be informed of the incident and must consent to testing. The laboratory safety manual should provide detailed instructions for general first aid, specific treatment, prophylaxis, and counseling. Following an exposure inci
