Sharps Injury Procedures

In the event that a student is involved in an invasive incident with a needle or scalpel or exposed to another person’s blood or body fluid, the following procedure should be followed.

Sharps Injury/Blood Body Fluid Exposure at Penn State Health locations

• Wash needle sticks and cuts with soap and water.

• Flush splashes to the nose, mouth or skin with soap and water.

• Irrigate eyes with clean water.

• Students should seek care immediately after the incident.

• Report injury/exposure to the supervising physician. They are responsible for arranging source testing.

• Notify appropriate unit clinical leadership to assist with source testing.

• Report the incident to the Employee Health Department via ReadySet. View ReadySet instructions (ePass login required)

• During normal business hours, if at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, report to Employee Health office.

• If the incident occurs at any other entity, after regular business hours, weekends and holidays, report to the Emergency Department where you are located and follow up with HMC Employee Health on the next business day in person, via email HMCEmployeeHealth@pennstatehealth.psu.edu or by phone @ 717-531-8280

Exposure at Unaffiliated Clinic Sites or Other Institutions

• Report injury/exposure to the supervising physician. They are responsible to assist with source testing.

• Follow the institution/hospital's established policy for exposure; leverage nursing leadership at clinical location for assistance if needed

• Students should seek care immediately after the incident.

• Report the incident via ReadySet. View ReadySet instructions (ePass login required)

Revised September 2025