Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 676 § 676.551 — Needlestick injury; blood draw of patient; test results; rules

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. [2019 c.476 §1]