WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

New law helps law enforcement, health care workers pricked by ‘dirty’ needles

[Click here for an audio clip of Rep. Van De Wege describing how his bill will help police officers in particular.]

OLYMPIA – It’s an on-the-job hazard faced by law enforcement officers, first responders, and health care workers every day:  the possibility of an accidental needle stick.  If the needle involved is “dirty” – that is, used – the person who is accidentally pricked could be exposed to a number of potentially deadly bloodborne pathogens.  But until now, these workers only had the right to request that the patient, or owner of the needle, be tested for the HIV virus.

Today, Governor Gregoire signed legislation giving certain categories of workers the right to request a test for all bloodborne pathogens, in addition to HIV, if pricked by a “dirty” needle.  State Rep. Kevin Van De Wege (D – Sequim), who sponsored the legislation, said it is about updating an older statute to reflect today’s public health hazards.

“The original bill was passed during the heightened AIDS awareness of the 1980’s, but the reality is a cop or nurse is much more likely to be exposed to Hepatitis C than HIV,” Van De Wege said.  “The new law means these people can be informed of their exposure so they can quickly begin proper treatment.”

The idea for updating the law was brought to Van De Wege by constituents regularly exposed to bloodborne pathogens on the job, including fire fighters and emergency room personnel from the Olympic Peninsula.

Testing for bloodborne pathogens is performed on the individual whose blood may already be on the needle.  If the individual refuses the test, a court can still order it.

Van De Wege, who is also a firefighter and first responder in Clallam County, says that his bill will provide greater peace of mind for people who regularly put themselves at risk to protect public health or safety.

“This doesn’t stop needle sticks from happening, but it means that when they do happen, these workers don’t have to live with the fear of not knowing.  It also means they can take steps to protect their family members from exposure,” he said.

The bill is House Bill 1454.  Representatives from health care, law enforcement, and fire fighter unions took part in today’s bill signing ceremony in Olympia.