A phlebotomist accidentally splashes blood into her eye while removing a tube from the holder. After immediately flushing the eye, she should report the exposure. Within what time frame should post-exposure evaluation and prophylaxis ideally begin to be most effective for HIV exposure?

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TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Within 2 hours, and no later than 72 hours. CDC guidelines state that HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is ideally initiated within 2 hours of exposure and must begin within 72 hours to be considered effective; delays beyond 72 hours make PEP non-recommended.

A phlebotomist accidentally splashes blood into her eye while removing a tube from the holder. After immediately flushing the eye, she should report the exposure. Within what time frame should post-exposure evaluation and prophylaxis ideally begin to be most effective for HIV exposure?

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