STIK
Beeper: Rapid Reporting System for Blood/Body Fluid Exposures
by Marlene Freeley MS, RN, CS, Director Occupational Health Services
Brigham & Women’s Hospital; and Katherine Twitchell MS, RN,
CS, Nurse Practitioner Occupational Health Services Brigham &
Women’s Hospital
Brigham
and Women’s Hospital Occupational Health Service has recently implemented
a new program designed to help employees who are exposed to blood or
body fluids during the course of their work get rapid attention.
The "STIK"
beeper is a 24-hour rapid response system for employees to use if they
sustain a blood or body fluid exposure. Employees can activate the STIK
Beeper simply by paging "3-STIK" (37845).
During
the day, the Occupational Health nurse practitioners respond to the
page, evaluate the exposure and ensure the employee is seen immediately
in the Occupational Health Service clinic. During "off hours"
the Off Shift Nurse Administrators respond and alert the ED staff to
provide prompt evaluation so the employee does not have to wait to be
evaluated.
The STIK
Beeper system was put in place during the fall of 1999 for several reasons:
- Employees
did not understand that it was optimal to begin treatment for blood/body
fluid exposures immediately (preferably within one to two hours after
an exposure).
- Employees
sometimes waited until the end of their shift to seek evaluation and
treatment.
- Employees
often felt conflicted on whether to leave their patient assignment
on the unit or the OR to be evaluated in Occupational Health.
To launch the program colorful flyers and posters were made and hung
in prominent places throughout the hospital including every unit. The
posters have a catchy slogan: "Think Quick! Page STIK!" with
a picture of a clock running. Communication regarding the program was
disseminated to nursing and physician groups through various meetings.
The weekly bulletin in the hospital also ran an article on the program.
As part
of the communication and educational component the red badges worn by
all employees were updated. On one side are instructions on what to
do in case of bloodborne pathogen exposure and on the other side what
to do in case of a fire. The new badges were given out as part of program
during the Brigham & Women’s Hospital Needle Safe Week. Badges will
continue to be available to employees at all security desks.
So far
the STIK Beeper has been positively received. One of the departments
has even asked that the STIK Beeper also be designated for employees
to report “near misses”. Employees occasionally find a blood
contaminated instrument carelessly left in the linen or inappropriately
disposed of. These situations are viewed as critical because
they could have resulted in someone becoming significantly exposed.
The hospital is tracking the "near misses" and providing rigorous
administrative follow up with the individuals responsible for the "near
miss".
The STIK
Beeper has become an excellent educational tool. It has increased employees
awareness of the importance of reporting blood or body fluid exposures
quickly. The marketing surrounding the STIK Beeper has also stimulated
a number of requests from various nursing and physician groups to Occupational
Health Practitioners to speak to their groups about bloodborne pathogen
exposures. It is our hope that through the STIK Beeper all blood or
body fluid exposures will be reported immediately.
Marlene
Freeley and Katherine Twitchell can be contacted at Brigham and
Women’s Hospital at 617.732.6034 or at ktwitchell@partners.org
or mfreeley@partners.org
