Laboratory Injuries: Student Health and Treatment Procedure

Invasive Injuries - Part I

I want to try to clarify where students should go if they are injured in anatomy lab. Anatomy lab lacerations are not considered Invasive Incidents . An Invasive Incident as listed on the Employee Health web site protocol is exposure to blood urine or body fluids of a patient. Cadavers don't carry live viruses, and DON'T require that you go to Employee Health for tracking the source and other care involved in an exposure to someone's body fluids.

An exception would be if your partner cut themselves with a scalpel and then cut you with the scalpel that had their blood on it. For this exposure the student exposed to their classmate's blood would go to Employee Health. Invasive Incidents are defined by that kind of exposure, not by the injury (size, depth) itself.

If a student receives a cut in anatomy lab they should wash it throughly with water and use some antibiotic cream (over the counter) and cover it with a clean bandage. It would be helpful if the anatomy lab could have some first aid supplies on hand such as bandages and some antiseptic. All the first year students should be up to date on their Tetanus shots, or they should have been notified to get one by Student Health. If they are not sure they should call if they have an injury. Student Health 531-5998.

If a wound from an anatomy scalpel is large and looks like sutures will be required the student should call Student Health 531-5998 to be seen to have it sutured. ( The wound should still be washed and covered). Student Health can also triage a patient if the wound is particularly complicated (involving tendons or nerves) to the Emergency department (ED). The students will receive a bill for being seen in the Emergency Department. This does not fall under workers compensation. Going to Student Health spares the student an ED bill.

There is 24 hour a day 365 days a year through Student Health . You can get on call information form our voice mail if it is after hours 531-5998. You reach a skilled nurse triage service first who can help you. If you need to speak to the physician also they can refer you to the on call doctor for Family Medicine.

I hope this clarifies how to treat Anatomy Lab injuries.

Sincerely,

Beth Wallen MD

Injuries in Anatomy Lab - Part II

Prevention

Wear all required protective gear for every session, during class hours or after hours.

Small Lacerations

Wash the wound with soap and copious amounts of water. Place a dry sterile dressing over the area. A band-aid is appropriate and antibiotic ointment may be used. Medical student’s tetanus immunization should be within five years, if you are unsure call Student Health at 717 531-5998 to verify the date. If it is after hours call the next day.

Watch the area for signs of infection such as worsening redness, pus, soreness and red streaks on skin as the area heals.

Larger Lacerations

Larger lacerations are those roughly approaching 1 centimeter or above. The wound should be washed with soap and copious amounts of water. If bleeding can be controlled use a bandage and watch for signs of infection as listed above. If bleeding cannot be stopped in 5 – 10 minutes, cover the area with a clean and absorbent towel and keep the area elevated.

Student Health should be called at 717 531-5998 for an appointment for suturing of the wound. After hours call nurse triage or the family medicine physician on call for triage advice. Call Student Health if you are unsure of your tetanus immunization status.

Serious Injuries and Wounds

Loss of consciousness with trauma to the head should go directly to the Emergency Department. If students are unable to walk 911 should be called for assistance.

Large wounds with rapid blood loss or involving nerves, tendon or bone should go to the Emergency Department for treatment.

Student Health 531-5998 can be called first to triage a student to the appropriate place unless a wound is life, limb or sight threatening. These injuries should go to the Emergency Department, calling 911 for transport when appropriate.

Injuries requiring Emergency Room treatment will be the financial responsibility of The College of Medicine if the student has been directed to Emergency Department by Student health or Family Medicine. They will also be covered in cases where 911 were called to respond to the emergency before Student Health was notified. Otherwise they are the financial responsibility of the student and their insurance.

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Topic revision: r1 - 15 Sep 2006, UnknownUser
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