VCOM Institutional Policy and Procedure Manual

VCOM Policy and Procedure

Policy #U031

as a student in training, exposes the student to many infectious diseases. Practicing universal precautions is the student’s method of preventing infectious disease and VCOM is not liable for any infectious disease contracted in the course of patient care. 6.1 Pregnancy, Allergies, and Student Participation in Special Environments Education at VCOM takes place in special environments, such as the anatomy lab and clinical facilities that may contain hazardous physical and chemical environments. Working and studying in these special environments may require the student to make an informed decision concerning continued participation because failure to participate in required classes could result in dismissal. Examples may include, but are not limited to: students who believe they are allergic or sensitive to certain chemicals, students who are pregnant and are concerned about potential hazards to a developing fetus, or students who believe they are immuno-compromised or have increased susceptibility to disease. The student must decide upon their ability to participate prior to beginning school. For a student who develops problems or becomes pregnant after starting, their program may be delayed until the student has seen an allergist and has taken appropriate precautions to successfully complete the program, or the pregnancy is completed. If the student is unable to attend, he/she should seek a medical withdrawal from VCOM. 6.2 Universal Precaution Universal Precautions is an approach to infection control according to which all human blood and certain human body fluids are treated to be as if known to be infectious for HIV, HBV, and other blood-borne pathogens. Students must complete universal precaution education in their first year and follow these precautions throughout their education. Universal precautions shall be practiced in the care of all patients. Gloves should be worn: • When touching blood and body fluids requiring universal precautions, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin of all patients, and • When handling items or surfaces soiled with blood or body fluids to which universal precautions apply. Sterile gloves shall be worn in connection with surgical procedures involving soft tissue or bone. Gloves should be changed after contact with each patient. Hands and other skin surfaces should be washed immediately or as soon as patient safety permits if contaminated with blood or body fluids requiring universal precautions. Hands should be washed immediately after gloves are removed. Gloves should reduce the incidence of blood contamination of hands during phlebotomy, but they cannot prevent penetrating injuries caused by needles or other sharp instruments. Institutions that judge routine gloving for all phlebotomies is not necessary should periodically reevaluate their policy. Gloves should always be available to health care workers who wish to use them for phlebotomy. In addition, the following general guidelines apply: • Use gloves for performing phlebotomy when the health care worker has cuts, scratches, or other breaks in his/her skin.

VCOM Campus Safety and Health Policy

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