Division Title
Safety

Reporting an Animal Injury

First, conduct first aid. The injury should then be reported immediately to your localexternal linkOccupational Medical Service (OMS) clinic.

  • Bethesda: Building 10, Room 6C306, (301) 496-4411

  • Baltimore: Room 01B210, (443) 740-2309

  • IRF-Frederick: Room 1B116, (301) 631-7233

  • RML-Hamilton: Room 5205, (406) 375-9755 

  • * Note NIH  satellite facilities: For Old World NHP ( e.g., Rhesus Macaque) exposure,  first contact Bethesda main campus OMS 301-496-4411, then proceed to the nearest OMS clinic for further evaluation unless instructed otherwise by the main campus OMS provider. 

If you are involved in the  direct care of animals or their living quarters or have direct contact with animals (live or dead), their viable tissues, body fluids or waste, you are required to participate in the Animal Exposure Program (AEP). Trainees, Fellows, or Special Volunteers who conduct animal activities are eligible for enrollment in the AEP and other associated OMS programs to the extent necessary to support their involvement in the Animal Care and Use program. Contract employees are eligible only for emergency medical care (i.e. evaluation and treatment of occupational injuries.) To enroll in AEP, contactexternal linkOMS at (301) 496-4411.


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Work-Related Medical Emergencies-Human or Nonhuman Primate Exposure

An injury that involves an exposure to human or nonhuman primate body fluid should be treated as a medical emergency. First aid should be initiated immediately on-site.

  • Contaminated skin should be scrubbed with soap and water for 15 minutes.

  • Contaminated eyes or mucous membranes should be irrigated with water or normal saline for 15 minutes.

The injury should be reported immediately to your local OMS clinic.

  • Bethesda: Building 10, Room 6C306, (301) 496-4411

  • Baltimore: Room 01B210, (443) 740-2309

  • IRF-Frederick: Room 1B116, (301) 631-7233

  • RML-Hamilton: Room 5205, (406) 375-9755 

pdf documentEmergency Procedures for Exposure to Blood, Body Fluids and Infectious Materials 

pdf documentFirst Response Guidance for Potential Exposure to B Virus 

external linkInfection Control Guidelines from the Clinical Center Hospital Epidemiology Service 


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On-Call Emergency Care

An OMS clinician is on-call to respond to occupational exposures to HIV, monkey B virus, and other potentially life-threatening biohazards that occur when the clinic is closed. The on-call OMS healthcare provider can be contacted by calling the NIH Page Operator at (301) 496-1211.


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