[MCOH-EH] Blood Borne pathogen seroconversion

[Yvonne Noel]

When considering the compensation aspect, depending on the job title, the seroconversion could also affect the individual’s ability to work in an OR setting where exposure to patients could occur.
Yvonne Noel, RN, COHN-S, Manager, Occupational Health, Children’s Dallas

From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces+mary.noel=childrens.com at mylist.net] On Behalf Of Amy Olson
Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2016 6:25 AM
To: mcoh-eh at mylist.net
Subject: [MCOH-EH] Blood Borne pathogen seroconversion

Hello Colleagues,
I am working in Qatar and am refining our procedure on employee exposure to communicable disease. In this country, if one tests positive for HIV, even in a work-related situation, their resident permit is revoked and they will have to leave the country.

In the unlikely event that this would occur at our facility, I would like to have something reflecting appropriate compensation. What I am looking for is resources that would help describe what this looks like in the US. I know that the detail will vary state by state, but I'm thinking there is a broad brush answer that can help guide further discussion.

To be sure I am asking the question correctly, I would use the following example:
John or Jane has an exposure incident in the OR and they follow the appropriate protocol per CDC guidelines. The employee is negative at baseline and at the 6 week check comes back positive for HIV. The person is not disabled in anyway today, but they can no longer be in country. I need some guideline that would help us establish some framework for compensation. How is this generally approached in the US? The worker at the time of injury is healthy and can be that way for a very long time.

The work injury rules here are very much targeted to laborers. There is no communicable disease on the worker injury/illness fee schedule.

If this were to happen to our employee, they would have to leave within 7 days of notification and return to their home country with no job and an HIV infection.

Thank you,
Amelia Olson, BSN, MS, COHN-S
Director, Occupational Health
Sidra Medical and Research Center

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