Needlestick Policies & Procedures

UT Student Health Services operates a Needlestick Hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to expedite your treatment in case of needlestick or body fluid exposure. Regardless of the hospital or clinic where you are working, the procedure is the same. You should have a "Needlestick" sticker on the back of your student identification badge.

If you sustain a needlestick or have an accidental exposure to bloodborne pathogens...

page (713) 500-OUCH
24 hours a day

Do NOT go to the nearest emergency room. Your page will be answered promptly, and you will receive specific instructions and information. After you page the hotline, remain by the phone but do not use it or your call cannot be returned.

Most calls will be answered within 5-10 minutes. You will be asked to give a detailed description of the incident. Your baseline labs will be checked, as well as the labs on your source patient. Then you will be counseled on your overall risk, and told if treatment is necessary. You will be given follow-up labs at defined intervals over the next 6 months to a year.

The costs associated with the Needlestick Hotline (your laboratory work and medications) are covered by the medical school. However, if you choose not to follow the Needlestick Hotline procedure and see your own physician (private or through an emergency department, for example), you will be personally responsible for all costs, and these will not be reimbursed by UT Student Health Services.

If you have any questions, please call the clinic at (713) 500-5171, or stop by UT Student Health Services.