OCCUPATIONAL RISK TRAINING AND PREVENTION

Participation in direct patient care activities can pose risks to health care professionals, particularly in terms of exposure to infectious diseases. The UCI School of Medicine (UCISOM) requires that all medical students participate in annual safety training that facilitates students’ anticipation, recognition, and avoidance of potential occupational risks. Students are required to complete an online safety training upon matriculation and annually thereafter. UCISOM also provides practical training in safe practices so that students can minimize their risks in potentially hazardous situations, such as the anatomy lab and the operating room. A particular emphasis is placed on strict adherence to universal precautions. Finally, students are required to submit proof of immunity to a series of vaccine-preventable diseases as outlined in the AAMC Standardized Immunization Form (see “Health Clearance” page).

UCISOM POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOLLOWING WORK-RELATED INJURY OR EXPOSURE TO AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD

Students who have suffered a work-related injury or are exposed to an environmental hazard at any training site should go directly to Occupational Health or the Emergency Department for immediate evaluation and care.

For those students who require follow up, students should follow up within 48 hours with UCI Occupational Health (OH). If further follow up is needed, they will follow up with the UCI Student Health Center (SHC), with consultation available to the provider through OH.

UCISOM POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOLLOWING OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO BLOOD/BODY FLUIDS

If a student comes in contact with another person’s blood or body fluid (e.g., through a needlestick or sharps injury or contact with skin, eyes, or mucous membranes), they should immediately take the following steps:

Wash needlestick location and cuts with soap and water.
Flush splashes to the nose, mouth, or skin with water.
Irrigate eyes with clean water, saline, or sterile wash.
Report the incident to your supervisor.
Document the date and time, patient’s name, identification number, and the unit and clinical site in which the exposure occurred. Immediately contact the nursing supervisor and provide the supervisor with this information. The nursing supervisor will request and obtain a source patient blood sample for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, Hepatitis C, and consent for HIV testing, if the patient’s status is not known.
Go directly to Occupational Health or the Emergency Department for immediate evaluation and care.

For those students who require follow up, students should follow up within 48 hours with OH. If further follow up is needed, they will follow up with SHC, with consultation available to the provider through OH.

Resources

Additional guidance for occupational exposure to blood-borne infections can be found on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at:

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/learning/safetyculturehc/healthcare-workers.html

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Following a work-related injury, environmental hazard exposure, or infectious disease exposure, students should use their Graduate Student Health Insurance Program (GSHIP) or university-approved personal health insurance to pay for medical expenses. The financial responsibility for uncovered expenses is the responsibility of the student.

IMPLICATIONS OF INFECTIOUS AND/OR ENVIRONMENTAL DISEASE OR DISABILITY ON MEDICAL STUDENT EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Students with an infectious or environmental disease requiring medical attention are excused from training duties to seek health care (see also Planned Health Care Appointments and Illness Policy).

Following a work-related injury, environmental hazard exposure, or infectious disease exposure, UCI Occupational Health may have requirements that students must follow prior to returning to duty. Students infected with, and in some cases exposed to, certain infectious diseases of high importance in health care settings are expected to adhere to work restrictions as detailed on the Occupational Health: Employee Services website. Students with conditions requiring testing or treatment, as outlined on the website, should consult with SHC or their preferred medical provider prior to returning to duty. Because student and patient well-being are of the utmost importance, failure to adhere to these work restrictions is considered a violation of the academic honor code.

Students with infectious and/or environmental disease or disability are encouraged to seek counseling with SHC. SHC will provide counseling to students, including consideration of career options that may be best suited for the student’s disease and/or disability. Depending on the student’s individual needs, a student may be referred to an occupational health, infectious disease, or disability specialist for further consultation.

EXTRAMURAL ELECTIVES AND VISITING STUDENTS

This policy applies to UCISOM medical students on UCISOM courses, clerkships, and electives. UCISOM medical students on extramural rotations that have a work-related injury, environmental hazard exposure, or infectious disease exposure should follow the policies and procedures of the host institution. Students are strongly encouraged to contact UCI Occupational Health if they have an incident or concerns while away on an extramural elective.

Visiting students should refer to the Medical Student Work-Related Injuries and Occupational Exposures for Visiting Students policy provided to visiting students upon confirmation of their elective at UCISOM.

RELATED POLICIES, FORMS AND LINKS

MedEd Health Education Locations, Policies, Emergency Resources (HELPER)
Medical Student Work-Related Injuries and Occupational Exposures for Visiting Students
Occupational Health: Employee Services

Last approved by Office of Medical Education: September 16, 2024