Dear EMS Provider;
As a follow-up to my November 25, 2009 memo to you regarding the re-instatement of the Ryan White provisions for post-exposure follow-up to occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials, we are pleased to forward the latest information on this subject. Please ensure that your agency leadership and your Exposure Control Officer(s) receive this information.
In my capacity as Chairman of the NY State EMS Council (SEMSCO), I am working on your behalf with representatives from the NY State DOH HIV/AIDS Institute, the Hospital Association of the State of New York (HANYS), and the NY DOH Bureau of EMS to modify regulatory language in 10NYCRR Section 63.8(m) and Section 63.10 - Provisions for Handling Occupational Exposures to bring them in line with current recommended medical practice for post-exposure care of health care workers who are occupationally exposed to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), to remove barriers to disclosure of a source patient’s HIV-status when an occupationally exposed emergency responder or health care worker is HIV-infected, and to facilitate uniformity among hospitals in the way that exposed or potentially exposed EMS providers are evaluated and/or treated.
Please click on the links below for additional documentation to be stored in your Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens file, to facilitate post-exposure follow-up, per your agency specific plan, as required by 29CFR 1910.1030.
HIV Testing Interpretation
HIV Testing EMS
Health Advisory OSHA Rapid Test 06-07
