Universal precautions procedures protect both students and patients from unnecessary health risks. Students must be aware of the recommendations outlined in the relevant teaching hospital’s policies. Certain specific situations require a mandatory visit or telephone consultation with Student 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 IUPUI Health Services (Student Health Services) is available 24 hours a day on pager 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.
IU School of Medicine has established guidelines for the management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), seropositivity and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in medical students. Individuals whose behavior, for any reason, significantly deviates from guidelines at the practice site, thereby placing patients, staff or colleagues at risk of exposure to HIV infection, may be suspended from participation in the school curriculum pending prompt review by the Dean of the School of Medicine.
This policy allows for serologic testing for all students who wish to know their HIV antibody status. Testing is done confidentially, and results are reported only to the individual tested and to any agency required by state and local health codes. This testing is done at the student’s expense.
IU School of Medicine students receive online universal precautions training prior to their first and third years.