Introduction: Clinical pathways guide the appropriateness of care based on best available evidence and clinical practice. Peninsula Health (PH) makes use of the pathway process to ensure care is appropriate, timely and assist in review and collection of data utilised for risk reduction and process management (Mallock et al. 2005). This project explored the usefulness of the pathway process to improve blood and body substance exposures (BaBS)management for PH staff, patients and the community.
Aim: To develop a standardised approach improving the management of BaBS by PH for staff, patients and the community.
Methodology: A review and gap analysis of current processes and resources was undertaken with the aim of developing tools to assist clinicians meet their policy and legislative responsibilities. A suite of Clinical Pathways ensued, specifically designed for BaBS exposures management . The Clinical Pathway development process allows for critical peer review and compliance with best practice.
Results: A suite of Clinical Pathways, supporting tools and resources led to an improvement in the
documentation, consent, counseling, blood testing and appropriate follow up following exposures. Regula audit results are used to identify compliance, feedback to clinicians and drive further risk reduction.
Conclusion: The use of Clinical Pathways has proved popular with clinicians and has improved the management of exposures by combining a number of documents into one user friendly Clinical Pathway.

Mallock, N. A. & Braithwaite, J. Centre for Clinical Governance Research in Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales. Clinical Governance Bulletin. Vol.5, No.5, 2005 P2-5