An inoculation injury involves a having a percutaneous exposure or a mucocutaneous exposure to blood or bodily fluids.

• A percutaneous exposure is where a needle/sharp object that has already been used on a patient, a human scratch or bite has broken the skin.
   
• A mucocutaneous exposure is where the mucous membranes i.e. mouth, nose or eyes or non-intact skin have been contaminated by blood or bodily fluids from a patient (HPA 2005a).
   

Occupational Health will carry out a risk assessment following the exposure, advise on actions necessary including blood serology / vaccination / prescription of prophylaxis and manage follow up screening as appropriate in line with initial risk assessment.