5 Clinical Workplace Injuries and Disease Exposure

Student Injuries and Treatment Policy

Precaution procedures protect both students and patients from unnecessary health risks. Students must be aware of the recommendations outlined in the relevant clinical site’s policies. Certain specific situations require a mandatory visit or telephone consultation with Campus Health Services.

Such situations include the following:

• Needle sticks or other contaminated injuries
• Exposure to active cases of tuberculosis
• Mucous membrane exposure to blood borne pathogens
• Exposure to enteral varicella
• Active enteral infection with salmonella or shigella

A nurse or physician at IU Indianapolis Health Services (Campus Health Services) is available 24 hours a day on pager 317-312-OUCH (317-312-6824) to provide information regarding needle sticks and other contaminated injuries. Students who sustain a needle stick or other contaminated injury should page the OUCH pager immediately. Students exposed to or exhibiting signs and symptoms of contagious diseases, including, but not limited to varicella and viral conjunctivitis, should go to a health services location to be seen as soon as possible.  If the situation occurs when the health service locations are closed, the student should page the OUCH pager (317-312-6824).

Reporting Injuries

If a student is injured during an educational activity the injury must be reported. If on IU property an IU incident report must be filed. If at an affiliated clinical site, the clinical site’s reporting procedures should be used. Copies of all reports are to be forwarded to the Clinical Coordinator to be filed in the student’s program folder. If treatment of the injury is required, the student should go to Campus Health if on campus or to the nearest emergency room. STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF TREATMENT.

Hand Hygiene

Performing appropriate hand hygiene is one of the most efficient ways to contain the spread of disease through physical contact.  In most cases hand hygiene is either the use of alcohol hand foam OR soap and water.

Perform hand hygiene:

• On entry and exit to patient rooms or care settings
• Between patients within same room
• After contact with intact skin
• Before insertion or manipulation of any invasive devices
• During patient care when moving from a contaminated body site to a clean body site
• Before placement of gloves and after removal of gloves
• After using the restroom
• After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
• If hands are visibly soiled, they should be washed with soap and water
• When caring for a patient with Clostridium difficile wash hands with soap and water

Communicable Disease Exposure Policy

When exposed to a communicable disease, the student must abide by the clinical site policies regarding continued patient contact during the incubation period for the disease. In addition, the Campus Health office provides health services to program students who are exposed to infectious diseases.

Such diseases include but are not limited to:

• HIV
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C
• Tuberculosis

These services are provided at the Lockefield Village location.  There may be charge for services.  Campus Health is located at 980 Indiana Ave, 1st Floor, Indianapolis.  Contact information is 317-274-8214 or healthsv@iu.edu.