Telecare
VIFMVictorian Institute of Forensic Medicine
Line open
Occupational Exposure — ID Specialist Advice

Had a workplace exposure?
Get specialist advice within 24 hours.

Submit your details and a Telecare Infectious Diseases physician will contact you within 24 hours of your exposure. PEP must be started within 72 hours — report promptly.

Start your request →
⚠️If it has been more than 72 hours since your exposure, or you feel unwell — go to the Emergency Department now.
Step 1 — Before you submit

Do first aid immediately

Complete these steps right now, before accessing this form. First aid is the clinical priority.

🩸
Sharps injury
Encourage bleeding. Wash thoroughly with soap and running water for 1–2 minutes. Cover with a waterproof dressing.
💧
Skin splash
Flush with large amounts of water immediately. Wash with soap and water. Remove any contaminated clothing.
👀
Eye exposure
Irrigate with clean water or saline for at least 10–15 minutes. Remove contact lenses first. Do not rub.
👃
Mouth / mucosa
Spit immediately. Rinse mouth repeatedly with water or saline. Do not swallow.
Also notify your line manager and complete VIFM's internal incident report — this can happen alongside your referral.
Step 2 — How it works

Three steps to specialist care

No appointment booking. An ID physician calls you directly.

1

Submit the form

Describe your exposure, share your contact number, and optionally upload any relevant medical documents (vaccination records, prior blood test results). Takes around 5 minutes. You'll receive a confirmation email straight away.

~5 minutes • any device
2

Receive a confirmed call-back time from your ID physician

A Telecare Infectious Diseases physician reviews your request and nominates a specific callback time — you will know exactly when to expect the call. The physician contacts you within 24 hours of your exposure. If video would help the assessment, they may ask you to connect via COVIU.

Target: within 24 hrs of exposure • PEP window: within 72 hrs
3

Follow your care plan

Your physician will prescribe any medications needed (including PEP), send pathology request forms directly to your email via our OPAL system, and arrange follow-up serology at 6 weeks and 3 months. PEP take-home packs can be collected from our nominated Chemist Warehouse pharmacies. You'll remain under physician care until your results are reviewed and you are formally discharged.

Pathology emailed to you • PEP at nominated pharmacy • Follow-up at 6 wks & 3 mths
Before you start

What the form asks

You can submit with partial information — don't delay because you're unsure of some details. The physician will fill in gaps on the call.

Date and time of the exposure incident — the response clock starts from when the exposure occurred, not when you submit this form
Type of exposure (sharps, splash, eye, mouth) and body part affected
Details about the source — known/unknown, HIV/HBV/HCV status if you know it
Your hepatitis B vaccination history (and antibody result if you have it)
Current medications and known allergies (especially sulfa drugs)
Your best phone number and preferred callback time
Whether you consent to a call-back after 5 PM if needed
📄
Optional document uploadIf you have relevant medical documents (vaccination certificates, prior serology results, existing medical history), you can upload them at the end of the form. This is not required to submit.
Response times

What to expect — and when to go to ED

The clock starts from the time of your exposure — not from when you submit this form. Report as soon as possible after first aid.

Within 24 hours of exposure
Our target for physician contact. After reviewing your request, your ID physician will nominate a specific callback time so you know exactly when to expect the call. Keep your phone nearby.
Within 72 hours of exposure
The clinical deadline for commencing PEP (per ASHM guidelines). Even if your physician contact is within 24 hours, starting PEP as early as possible maximises its effectiveness. Do not delay reporting.
No physician contact within 24 hrs → go to ED
If you have not been contacted by a physician within 24 hours of your exposure, or no physician has been able to accept your request, present to the nearest Emergency Department immediately.
📍 The Alfred Hospital ED, 55 Commercial Rd →
🌙

Submitting outside intake hours?

This service accepts requests Monday to Friday, 8 AM–5 PM (VIC time) only. If you are reading this outside those hours and have had an exposure, do not wait until tomorrow morning.

Present to the nearest Emergency Department now. Timing is critical for post-exposure prophylaxis.

📍 Find nearest Emergency Department →
Intake hours: Mon – Fri • 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM • VIC time

Ready to submit your request?

Complete the secure form and a Telecare Infectious Diseases physician will confirm a callback time within 24 hours of your exposure.

Start your request →
Questions? Call the program line: +61 3 7058 0869 • Mon–Fri, 8 AM–5 PM VIC time