Occupational Exposures – Hospital and Laboratory

• Medical staff or laboratory workers accidentally exposed to infectious materials via needle sticks, cuts, or abrasions should immediately wash the area with a nonabrasive soap and water and follow the standard policy of their institution regarding workplace exposures.
• When eye exposure occurs, the eye should be flushed with copious amounts of water or eye wash solution for at least 15 minutes.
• In addition, postexposure antimicrobial prophylaxis with doxycycline or ciprofloxacin should be started immediately and continued for 7 days.
• Laboratory workers who handle cultures should be alerted to the possibility of Y. pestis and take precautions to avoid aerosolization of cultures or other infectious materials.