GRADUATE HANDBOOK
Policies Regarding Communicable Diseases
PURDUE UNIVERSITY CALUMET SCHOOL OF NURSING
Policies Regarding Communicable Diseases
The Purdue University
Calumet School of Nursing seeks to minimize the risk of occupational exposure to
communicable diseases, including Hepatitis (“HBV”), and the human
immunodeficiency viruses (“HIV”) for its students, faculty, and
patients/clients.An individual’s HIV status
will not be requested by the School of Nursing during the admissions or hiring
process. If a student informs the School of Nursing that he or she is HIV
positive, reasonable academic adjustments will be made if needed. Reasonable
accommodations will be provided for qualified HIV positive faculty members who
inform the School of Nursing of their status. Persons who are HIV positive will
be allowed equal access to facilities of the School of Nursing, campus
activities, and the clinical experience unless such participation poses a direct
threat to the health or safety of the individual or others.A student or faculty member
who knows he/she is HIV positive or believes he/she is a “high risk” for HIV
transmission is ethically responsible to consider the risk of transmitting HIV
to the patient/ client during invasive procedures.The School of Nursing will
provide information regarding the possibility of occupational exposure to
communicable diseases, including HBV and HIV, to students enrolled in the
nursing programs. Before a student will be permitted to participate in any
clinical experience, the student will be required to sign a form acknowledging
that he/she has been informed of, and understands, the risk of exposure to
communicable diseases in the clinical setting. Any student who refuses to sign
the acknowledgment form will be terminated from the Nursing program.All students and faculty are
expected to care for any patient/client regardless of HBV and/or HIV status. A
student who consistently refuses to care for a patient/client who is known to be
HIV positive and/or HBV positive will be terminated from the Nursing program. A
faculty member who refuses to care for HBV and/or HIV patients/ clients will be
dismissed from the University.Students and faculty who
have known immunosuppressed conditions, open wounds, or who are pregnant, will
be exempted from caring for patients/clients who are known to be HIV positive
and/or HBV positive. PURDUE UNIVERSITY CALUMET
SCHOOL OF NURSING
Student Procedures
- In the clinical setting,
all students will practice Universal Precautions in accordance with the
current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) guidelines and
will adhere to the policies of the clinical site as well. Prior to each
semester’s initial clinical experience, members of the faculty will provide
instruction on the use of Universal Precautions and exposure to blood and
other body fluids. The faculty will ensure that each student understands
and is capable of adhering to the Universal Precautions. Thereafter, each
student is responsible for reviewing and practicing Universal Precautions in
the clinical setting. On an annual basis students will sign a Universal
Precautions Policy and Instruction Acknowledgment form.
If a student is exposed to blood or other body fluids of a patient/client,
an incident report for both the School of Nursing and the clinical site must
be completed. The student must immediately notify the faculty supervising
the clinical experience. Faculty members shall notify the Head of Purdue
University Calumet Nursing, and the Infection Control Nurse at the clinical
site of any incidents involving a student. The policies of the institution
where the exposure occurred and/or the CDC guidelines shall be consulted and
followed. Any student is strongly encouraged to immediately obtain HIV and
HBV testing to establish sero-negativity. Testing should be repeated at 6
weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and one-year post-exposure. The School of
Nursing will pay costs associated with testing for HIV and HBV. The School
of Nursing or the institution will suggest counseling referrals for students
exposed to blood or body fluids of a patient/client.
Faculty Procedures
- In the clinical setting,
all faculty will practice Universal Precautions in accordance with the
current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) guidelines and
will adhere to the policies of the clinical site as well.
- If a faculty member is
exposed to blood or other body fluids of a patient/client, the faculty
member must complete an incident report for both the School of Nursing and
the clinical site. Faculty members shall notify the Head of the School of
Nursing and the Infection Control Nurse of the clinical site of any
incidents involving a faculty member. The policies of the institution where
the exposure occurred and/or the CDC guidelines shall be consulted and
followed. Any faculty member who is exposed to blood or other body fluids
in the clinical setting is strongly encouraged to immediately obtain HIV and
HBV testing to establish sero-negativity. Testing should be repeated at 6
weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and one-year post-exposure. Purdue University
will make counseling referrals as needed. Purdue University Calumet will
assume costs associated with testing, counseling and follow-up care for
exposed faculty members.
All forms must be completed and submitted approximately 6-10 weeks prior to the beginning of the practicum.
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