Accidents and Exposures to Notifiable Infectious Agents in the Clinical Setting
The Faculty of Medicine is committed to providing a safe and positive learning environment. However, even in the safest environment you need to be prepared for an accident. Here is what you need to know if you have an accident and exposure to notifiable infectious agents in the clinical setting .
What You Need to Do
Proceed through the following 3 steps using the ABC method:
- Alert your preceptor/clinical instructor of your accident;
- Be sure to inform the Occupational Health Nurse at the placement agency, if the office is closed go to the emergency department for assessment and treatment;
- Complete the uOttawa online Accident, Incident or Occupational Disease Form and communicate with your liaison officer as well as the Clinical Placement Risk Management Office to inform them of the situation.
Regardless of the preceptor’s recommendation:
- Every student has the obligation and the responsibility to complete the uOttawa online Accident, Incident or Occupational Disease Form within 24 hours after the accident if:
- he/she suffers an injury (i.e. scalpel cut, needle prick, etc.) in the clinical setting or when the incident could have resulted in being injured because of a violation of the occupational health and safety standards;
- when the injury results in an absence from the clinical setting.
- Every student has the obligation and the responsibility to contact the Clinical Placement Risk Management office: