Exposure Incidents

Needlesticks are not the only exposure incident that is reportable. Healthcare workers who are bitten by a patient must also report their exposure. According to OSHA, an exposure incident is a specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that results from the performance of an employee's job duties. Parenteral contact, as defined in the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard, includes needlesticks, bites, cuts, abrasions, and similar injuries that result in a piercing of the skin or mucous membranes.