Policy on Training Students on Exposure to Infectious and Environmental Hazards

Purpose

This policy describes the mandatory training and education to insure our students understand how to protect themselves against infectious and environmental hazards.

Policy

Note: These policies mirror specific policies adopted by the College of Medicine which are located on this web page.

During Orientation

• Students must attend a mandatory OSHA presentation by the Director of the Student Health Service, who discusses the following:
• The prevention of sharps and splash exposures, personal protective equipment (PPE), and steps to take if an exposure occurs.
• Information about hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV infection
• How to find additional information in the “Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids” section of the Student Health website, and in the Student Handbook which is distributed to students on a flash drive at Orientation and is also available online. OSHA training is performed annually.
• In all instances, standard and universal precautions are to be utilized by all students during patient care activities.
• Some students in New York State are required to receive training in Infection Control and Barrier Precautions which is given by the Hospital Infection Control Department, Division of Infectious Diseases. This New York State approved course is valid for a four year period.
• Wallet-sized cards are distributed to all students that contain:
• Information about “Universal Standard Precautions” which includes PPE and steps to take in case of exposure, including follow-up care at Student Health.
• A second card is distributed which contains emergency phone numbers and the HIV post-exposure protocol.
• Depending on their program, some students must be “fit-tested” for N-95 particulate respirators and receive a respirator for personal use.
• Documentation of required training is required prior to the student‘s entrance into clinical training.

Approved by the Council of Deans — December 2015