Medical Services - Infectious Disease - 2

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.

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.