Chapter 676 — Health Professions Generally

ORS 676.551 Needlestick injury; blood draw of patient; test results; rules

(1)

As used in this section:

(a)

“Health care practitioner” means a person who provides medical care in an emergency setting and who is:

(A)

An emergency medical services provider licensed under ORS chapter 682;

(B)

A physician licensed under ORS chapter 677; or

(C)

A nurse licensed under ORS 678.010 to 678.415.

(b)

“Needlestick injury” means a wound caused by a needle puncturing the skin.

(2)

Notwithstanding ORS 431A.570, a health care practitioner who receives a needlestick injury during the treatment of a patient who is unconscious or otherwise unable to consent may, in compliance with this section, perform a blood draw on the patient for the purpose of testing the blood to determine whether the health care practitioner needs to begin immediate post-exposure prophylactic treatment that may include the administration of medications to the health care practitioner.

(3)

A blood draw described in subsection (2) of this section may be performed if:

(a)

The patient is not expected to regain consciousness or the ability to consent in the amount of time necessary for the health care practitioner to receive appropriate medical treatment;

(b)

There is no other person immediately available who is able to consent on behalf of the patient; and

(c)

The health care practitioner will benefit medically from knowing the results of a test described under subsection (2) of this section.

(4)

A test performed under this section must be anonymous.

(5)

The patient, or patient’s legal guardian, must be informed of the blood draw and the test results.

(6)

The results of a test described in subsection (2) of this section may not be:

(a)

Made available to law enforcement agencies;

(b)

Made available to any person other than the health care practitioner, the individual who performs the test and the patient or the patient’s legal guardian; or

(c)

Included in the medical record of the health care practitioner or the patient.

(7)

The patient, or the patient’s health insurer, may not be charged for the cost of performing a test under this section.

(8)

The Oregon Health Authority may adopt rules to carry out this section.