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Animal Bites (Mammal)

Clinical Pathways promote evidence-based, safe, and high-value patient care by providing clinical recommendations and standard processes. They are developed by multidisciplinary committees of subject matter experts, informed by a methodical review of available evidence and consensus among committee members. 

Clinical Pathway: 

Inclusion and exclusion criteria:

  • Inclusion:
    • Patients ≥ 2 months of age presenting with mammalian animal bites (including human bites)
  • Exclusion: 
    • Patients < 2 months of age 
    • Patients with superficial bites that have not penetrated the skin 

 Committee members involved in the development:

  • Leslie Hueschen, MD | Emergency Department | Committee Co-Chair
  • Allison Adam, MD | Emergency Department, Pediatric Fellow | Committee Co-Chair
  • Alaina Burns, Pharm.D., BCPPS | Pharmacy | Committee Member 
  • Jessica Costalez, MD | Emergency Department | Committee Member 
  • Marsha Dannenberg, MD | Urgent Care | Committee Member 
  • Josh Herigon, MD, MPH, MBI | Infectious Diseases | Committee Member 
  • Elise Wright, DNP, APRN, CPNP AC-PC, CCRN | Surgery | Committee Member 

EBP Committee Members:

  • Todd Glenski, MD, MSHA, FASA  
  • Megan Gripka, MT (ASCP) SM  

Publication dates:

  • Finalized date: 02/2025 
  • Next expected revision date: 2028 

Concerns with content:

If you have any questions regarding this content or identify a broken link, please email evidencebasedpractice@cmh.edu.  

These pathways do not establish a standard of care to be followed in every case. It is recognized that each case is different, and those individuals involved in providing health care are expected to use their judgment in determining what is in the best interests of the patient based on the circumstances existing at the time. It is impossible to anticipate all possible situations that may exist and to prepare a pathway for each. Accordingly, these pathways should guide care with the understanding that departures from them may be required at times.

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