Purpose

This policy exists to protect students at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-COM) and CORE sites from exposure to and acquisition of infectious diseases during clinical and laboratory activities; to ensure that any exposed student has competent medical treatment; and, to ensure student privacy is respected. Students participating in international programs associated with OU-COM should follow the International Programs Incident Protocol available in the OU-COM Office of International Programs.  According to OU-COM policy, students are immunized against tetanus, diphtheria, and per-tussis; serologic proof of immunity is required for rubeola, mumps, rubella, varicella and hepatitis B.

Definitions and Principles

• Universal Precautions:  The term “universal precautions” is an approach to infection control. According to the concept of Universal Precautions, all human blood and certain human body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious for HIV, HBV, and other bloodborne pathogens.  OU-COM students are considered healthcare workers when participating in Clinical and Community Experiences; the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations for health care professionals who are considered to be at risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne diseases can be found at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/standards.html.  Faculty is discouraged from engaging in academic activities which might expose students to potentially infectious material without a plan in place for implementation of universal precautions.  Students are encouraged to use blunt instruments to demarcate structures in the anatomy lab when appropriate.

• Exposure Incident:  An exposure incident is a specific eye, mouth, other mucous membrane, non-intact skin, or parenteral contact with potentially infectious material. Contact can occur via a splash, needle stick, puncture/cut wound from sharp instrument, or human bite.  Potentially infectious body fluids include blood, semen, vaginal secretions; pleural, pericardial, synovial, peritoneal, cerebral spinal, amniotic fluid; saliva during dental procedures; any other body fluid visibly contaminated with blood; any unfixed tissue or organ (other than intact skin) from a human (living or dead).

• Associated Expenses:  Exposure incidents for students are not to be submitted as Workers’ Compensation claims since students are not employees of the institution.  OU-COM students are required to have health insurance. In accordance with this policy, health care expenses associated with an exposure incident are to be billed to the student’s respective insurance carrier for payment.

Part One (Years 1 and 2)

Ohio University Biosafety Program

Ohio University maintains a Biosafety Program and Manual through the Department of Environmental Health and Safety. Biosafety involves the safe use of biological materials such as potentially infectious or disease containing organisms, bloodborne pathogens and human tissues. OU-COM students are trained at the beginning of years one and two by Ohio University Environmental Health and Safety staff in universal precautions to prevent exposure to potentially infectious pathogens and follow up procedures in the event of accidental contact. 

Policy/Procedure: Clinical and Community Experiences and Clinical Laboratories

If a 1^st or 2^nd year medical student experiences an exposure incident while participating in clinical experiences and/or clinical laboratory activities, it is to be handled as an EMERGENCY SITUATION. He/she is to complete a non-employee incident report http://www.ohiou.edu/ehs/docs/Non-Employee_Incident_Form.pdf which must be sent within three days to Ohio University Department of Environmental Health and Safety, contact the Director of Clinical and Community Experiences or Assistant Dean of Preclinical Education to inform them of the exposure incident, and report to the nearest Emergency Room for immediate evaluation and treatment as needed.  Records of exposure incidents and subsequent follow up information will be kept on file with the students’ immunization records.

Policy/Procedure:  Anatomy and Non-clinical Laboratories

If a 1^st or 2^nd year medical student experiences and exposure incident while participating in non-clinical laboratory activities, s/he is to complete a non-employee incident report http://www.ohiou.edu/ehs/docs/Non-Employee_Incident_Form.pdf which must be sent within three days to Ohio University Department of Environmental Health and Safety, and contact the Instructor of Record to inform them of the exposure incident and develop a plan for follow up care.  Records of exposure incidents and subsequent follow up information will be kept on file with the students’ immunization records.   

Part Two (Years 3 and 4)

Policy/Procedure: Centers for Osteopathic Research and Education (CORE) System

If a 3^rd or 4^th year CORE medical student experiences an exposure incident while on rotation, it is to be handled as an EMERGENCY SITUATION.  He/she is to complete an incident report, contact his/her CORE Administrator (CA) and/or CORE Assistant Dean (CAD) to inform them of the exposure incident, and report directly to the nearest Emergency Room (ER) for immediate evaluation and treatment as needed. 

Third and fourth year Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-COM) students are instructed to follow the above protocol.  OU-COM students are oriented to their base CORE Hospital’s written Exposure Control Plan (ECP) required by OSHA and must follow the respective institution’s ECP once he/she has been triaged and/or seen in the ER.  Affiliate College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) students are expected to follow their home college’s policy.  The CORE Administrator is to notify the appropriate ACOM representative of any exposure incident involving its student(s).  The CA must provide a summary of events and send documentation of the exposure incident and follow-up results to the ACOM student’s home college. 

Last updated: 09/28/2009