We tend to believe that much of the work in needlestick prevention comes from the US, with policy development  that prohibits recapping of used needles and more recently the development and implementation of engineered sharp safety devices.

But The University of New Mexico Blood & Body Fluid Exposure/Needlestick insurance cover policy seems far from supportive of its students.

Benefits & Coverage:

• Coverage is for academic-related exposures only
• No referrals needed
• Covered in any geographic location in any medical facility
• No deductibles
• Maximum benefit payable: $21,000 per exposure
• 100% reimbursement for:
  • Physician visits
  • Lab tests done on the student and the patient/donor involved in the exposure
  • Emergency room visits, if necessary
  • Medications necessary to treat exposure

That cover seems adequate, except for the cap of $21k per incident that would be woefully inadequate if things go badly wrong. That might include seroconversion but also psychiatric problems including post-traumatic stress leading in extremis to an inability to continue working with sharps forcing a career change.

It is not clear if the £21k cap includes the 100% reimbursement for lab tests or if that component is supernumerary.

But what is most remarkable is that University students must themselves pay the insurance premiums, or a portion of it!

http://hsc.unm.edu/som/oss/includes/PDF_Uploads/Orientation%202011/BBFE_Needlestick_Information.pdf