Needle Stick Hotline Program

1-866-477-6824 (OUCH)

University of Florida’s Occupational Health Program announces a new dedicated phone line for UF faculty, staff, resident house staff and students who experience a bloodborne pathogen exposure (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV). The 1-800 number is now operational and available to UF employees and students in the Gainesville community.

This needle stick hotline will ensure that all UF employees and students with an exposure have immediate access to a medical provider. During regular work hours, an operator from the Occupational Health Department of the Student Health Care Center (SHCC) will answer the line and immediately forward the caller to a skilled and knowledgeable medical provider. The medical provider will collect the exposure and source history, arrange for laboratory studies, decide on post-exposure treatment if necessary, and recommend follow-up as appropriate. After-hours and on weekends, persons with exposure will be triaged to the closest Emergency Room for management. After-hours, weekend and broader statewide coverage utilizing the 1-800 number may be expanded in the future for UF employees and students.

Follow-up laboratory work and counseling will be conducted at the SHCC at Shands Clinic (392-0627, Rm D2-42) or at the main campus SHCC Occupational Health Program (392-1161 ext. 1-4212).

All future annual Bloodborne Pathogen education and training for UF departments and colleges will include information about this Needle Stick Hotline. Select UF faculty, staff, medical and dental residents, fellows and postdoctoral students will receive specific information about this program. UF’s Environmental Health and Safety will work closely with the Student Health Care Center’s Occupational Health Program to monitor the effectiveness of this program and trend the post-exposure data.

Questions or comments about this program may be directed to SHCC at 392-1161 ext. 1-4212