If blood is splashed in a phlebotomist's eyes, what should they prioritize immediately?

When a phlebotomist has blood splashed in their eyes, prioritizing immediate action to flush the eyes with water for at least 15 minutes is crucial to minimize the potential harm caused by exposure to bloodborne pathogens. This step is essential in order to wash away any potentially infectious materials from the eye surface, thereby reducing the risk of infection or other complications.

Flushing the eyes helps to physically remove contaminants and breakdown any harmful substances, which is vital given that the eyes are particularly vulnerable to infections from pathogens such as HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends this immediate decontamination procedure as the first line of defense in such exposure incidents.

While notifying a supervisor and documenting the exposure are important steps that follow the initial first aid, they do not take precedence over the need to address the immediate physical risk to the eyes. Seeking medical attention later is also necessary, but flushing the eyes must come first to reduce the likelihood of any adverse health effects.