Medical Services - Infectious Disease

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What should employees do with clothing items that have bullet holes?

Take them to a hospital for disposal.

Collect them for evidence. (correct)

Leave them at the scene for further investigation.

Dispose of them immediately with personal effects.

What is the proper action for items contaminated with wet body fluids?

They should be disposed of in regular trash.

They must be air-dried prior to permanent packaging. (correct)

They can be transported without any protective measures.

They should be permanently stored in plastic bags.

Which of the following materials should never be disposed of in a trash receptacle?

Decontaminated uniforms.

Biohazard tags.

Contaminated articles. (correct)

Clothing items with bullet holes.

What documentation is required for occupational contamination incidents?

Comprehensive documentation to ensure appropriate intervention. Signup and view all the answers

What should an employee do immediately after coming into contact with bodily fluids?

Begin decontamination procedures as quickly as possible. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with clothing or uniform articles that are contaminated?

Place them in a biohazard bag and clean them as per protocols. Signup and view all the answers

When must the Forensic Investigations Section be notified?

When an item is contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids. Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence for contaminated police property left at a scene?

It is strictly prohibited. Signup and view all the answers

What action will be taken if a source patient continues to refuse to provide a sample?

Contact the Employee Resources Sergeant for a court order. Signup and view all the answers

What is the timeline for completing the Hepatitis B vaccination series?

6-8 months after the first shot. Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for arranging the first Hepatitis B vaccination for non-sworn employees?

The Section or Unit supervisor/manager. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of training do at-risk employees receive initially?

Classroom instruction on personal protective equipment and blood-borne diseases. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following records are maintained confidentially by the City Human Resources Department?

Documented refusals for any immunization. Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum duration that the City Human Resources Department will retain confidential records related to infectious diseases?

For the duration of employment plus 30 years. Signup and view all the answers

Who can grant access to an employee's medical records maintained by the City Human Resources Department?

City Human Resources Director or a designated representative. Signup and view all the answers

What should occur if an employee refuses an immunization?

The refusal must be documented. Signup and view all the answers

What will happen to an employee's medical records if they make a disability request?

They may become public records. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of obtaining a court order for a blood sample?

For the health assistance of OPD employees. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step an affected employee should take after experiencing a possible Significant Exposure?

Notify their immediate supervisor and explain the details. Signup and view all the answers

Which classification includes needle-sticks and exposure to blood through wounds?

Blood-borne pathogenic injuries Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if the source patient refuses to cooperate with testing?

Attempt to gain compliance using an uninvolved officer. Signup and view all the answers

How soon should treatment for HIV ideally begin after an exposure?

Within two hours Signup and view all the answers

What is required to be submitted to the Employee Resources Sergeant after an exposure?

OPD Form 274D and other required reports. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the City’s contracted Infectious Disease Exposure vendor following a Significant Exposure?

Verify exposure assessments and advise on medical referrals. Signup and view all the answers

What type of exposures does the term 'airborne exposures' refer to?

Infections transmitted through inhaled pathogens in the air. Signup and view all the answers

What documents must an employee fill out after a significant exposure?

Multiple reports including the State Infectious Disease Exposure Report. Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of testing the source patient after a significant exposure?

To determine the need for further medical procedures for the exposed employee. Signup and view all the answers

If the source patient/individual is transported to another facility, what should employees do?

Follow the source patient to the new facility. Signup and view all the answers

Where can the State Infectious Disease Exposure Report be found?

Online via PowerDMS and in the Exposure folder. Signup and view all the answers

What must happen if the initial medical testing results for the exposed employee are negative?

No further treatment is required. Signup and view all the answers

What happens if medical treatment is deemed necessary after testing the source patient?

Further assessments will determine the appropriate treatment. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Handling Infectious Evidence

Protective gear is mandatory when handling potentially contaminated items.
Unnecessary contaminated items are not taken from hospitals.
Clothing with bullet holes is collected; other clothing is usually left with victim's belongings.
Decisions on evidence handling depend on the specific case.
Items contaminated with wet body fluids are air-dried before packaging—wet items can be transported in plastic bags. Forensic Investigations Section handles and dries wet biohazard items.
Evidence items should NOT be permanently stored in plastic bags to preserve evidentiary value.
Forensic Investigations Section is notified about blood/body fluid contamination (wet or dry), and packaging/tags are labeled with a red biohazard stamp.
The Forensic Investigations Section is notified about potential cross-contamination or evidence damage incidents (e.g., bloody fingerprints, fabric contamination).
Do NOT dispose of contaminated items in trash receptacles.
Do NOT leave contaminated police property at a crime scene.

Contamination Reporting Protocol

Work-related contamination (occupational) requires thorough documentation.
Immediately begin decontamination after contact with bodily fluids.
Decontamination should occur as quickly as possible.
Showers are required for extensive exposure.
Remove and place contaminated clothing in a biohazard bag for cleaning.
Contact supervisor, explaining the contamination.
Supervisor and employee assess for significant exposure (refer to flowchart).
Supervisor contacts the City's Infectious Disease vendor, who verifies exposure level and necessary medical referrals.
Employee completes the "State Infectious Disease Exposure Report" (OPD Form 274D) and submits original copy to Employee Resources Sergeant.
All employees involved in treating/transporting infected patients follow contamination procedures (documentation & records).

Exposure Reporting Protocol

Testing the source of exposure (source patient) is crucial when possible significant exposure occurs.
Prolonged or intimate contact with infected patients/individuals must be reported immediately to supervisor and Employee Resources Sergeant.
Vendor/city medical staff helps determine testing/isolation needs for source patient/individual.
Significant exposures have diverse classifications (e.g., needle-sticks, blood in eyes/mouth/wounds). Exposes are classified in Blood-borne Pathogen Injuries. The source patient will be transported immediately to a CHI Health ER to have blood drawn after getting an exposure.
The exposed employee notifies the supervisor. Exposure protocol will need to commence at the SAME health facility as the transported source patient/individual.
"State Infectious Disease Exposure Report" (OPD Form 274D) is completed by the affected employee. Two copies are made; one is retained in the source patient/individual's file at CHI Health and one for the employee's medical file.
The city's vendor coordinates additional treatment with CHI Health Infectious Disease dept after testing of the source patient/individual.
Immediate/non-immediate treatment is guided by vendor in conjunction with CHI Health.
Baseline blood draw is performed for affected employee the next business day at an occupational health clinic
If negative results, no further treatment is required. Positive results trigger follow-up actions coordinated by the Employee Resources Sergeant.
Supervisor completes forms (NWCC Form 1, Investigation Report, Choice of Physician, OPD Form 274D).
Refusal of voluntary source patient sample: Attempts to get cooperation from the source patient or obtain court order if necessary.

Immunization and Testing

Employees at risk (e.g., Forensic Investigations, Evidence/Property, sworn officers) are offered free Hepatitis B vaccinations.
Vaccination records are kept by the Employee Resources Sergeant.
Refusal of immunization must be documented.
Vaccination procedure takes 6–8 months.

Training and Information

At-risk employees receive initial and periodic training on PPE, blood-borne diseases, exposure reporting, and decontamination procedures.
The Training Unit commander is responsible for organizing training.
Training records are maintained.

Record Keeping

All exposure/contamination records are confidential.
Confidentiality includes employees, patients, and source patients.
Records are kept for the duration of employment + 30 years, including immunizations, exposures, investigations, testing/treatment/follow-up, and refusals. Records are kept in a separate envelope.
Only the Human Resources Director or designee can access medical records. Employee medical records may become public if a disability request is made.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz tests your knowledge on the proper procedures for handling infectious evidence in forensic investigations. It covers the protocols for dealing with contaminated items, protective measures, and the implications of evidence storage and transport. Understand the critical role of the Forensic Investigations Section in maintaining the integrity of evidence.

Medical Services - Infectious Disease - 2

Choose a study mode