If an exposure incident does occur, much can be done to eliminate or reduce patient anxiety. Medical professionals must often convey sensitive or unpleasant information to patients and have learned to do so without unduly alarming patients. For example, when a health care professional treat a patient in a dental office or in any other medical setting, he or she typically explains office procedures and polices to the patient prior to providing services. OSHA suggests that as a part of this discussion, it would be appropriate for the dental employer to explain the standard's requirement for source patient testing to determine if the employee has been exposed. Thoroughly discussing this issue prior to, or at the time of, an exposure incident will likely reduce patient anxiety and possible misunderstandings.
Treatment of disease is beyond the scope of the standard's follow-up requirements.
In particular, the dental employer must ensure that the health care professional understands the requirements of the standard and agrees to comply. It remains, however the dental employer's obligation to ensure that he or she obtains and provides the exposed employee with a copy of the health care professional's written opinion. Hepatitis B Virus Vaccine - Protection for You . Protect Yourself When handling Sharps. As it Should be Done.