Who should review the patient’s medical history with the team member after a sharps injury and provide this information to Occupational Health Service?

• A. The Patient
• B. The Treating Clinician
• C. The Nurse
• D. The Administrator

Answer: (B)

In post-exposure management, the clinician actively caring for the patient is the person who reviews the patient’s medical history with the team member involved in the sharps incident and then relays the information to Occupational Health Service. This is because the clinician has the clinical responsibility to interpret vaccination status (like hepatitis B, tetanus), prior infections, current medications, allergies, and any health conditions that could affect risk assessment and the need for post-exposure prophylaxis. They can determine what information is essential and ensure it’s accurately documented for OHS to arrange appropriate follow-up, baseline testing, and prophylaxis if indicated.

The patient can provide information, and nurses often assist with data collection and wound care, but the formal review and transmission of this information to Occupational Health is the clinician’s responsibility. An administrator isn’t typically involved in the clinical review of medical history for this purpose.