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UF Health University of Florida
Office of Student Affairs College of Medicine

Student Occupational Health Policies

Each student is responsible for their health and safety in the clinical/educational setting. Therefore, it is the goal of the College of Medicine that all students learn appropriate policies and procedures to follow blood- and air-borne pathogens or other communicable diseases.

BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASES EDUCATION

Students are required to complete training on infection control and prevention and bloodborne pathogens at various points in their medical education, from pre-matriculation through graduation. Training occurs through online modules, during the orientation sessions for first- and third-year students, and reinforced during the Surgery and Internal Medicine clerkships.

Have you had a needlestick or potential exposure? Click here for information.

AIRBORNE AND MODIFIED AIRBORNE PRECAUTIONS

Students will need to be fit-tested for an N95 mask and will be trained to don and doff personal protective equipment prior to initial patient care activities in the first year and prior to starting their third year.

STANDARD UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS

When providing patient care, regardless of the real or perceived communicable disease status of the patient, all students and staff should follow Standard Universal Precautions:

  • Wash hands before and after patient contact, according to hospital policy, even if gloves are used.
  • Wear gloves when exposure to blood, body fluids, excretions or secretions is likely.
  • Use gloves appropriately according to aseptic and/or sterile techniques, and change gloves between patients.
  • Wear gowns/aprons when soiling of clothing with blood or body fluids is likely.
  • Wear masks, face shields and eye protection when aerosolization of blood or body fluids may occur.
  • Dispose of sharps in designated rigid sharps containers.
  • Never recap needles or scalpel blades by hand.
  • Dispose of waste saturated with blood or body fluids in designated red-bag trash containers.

STUDENTS WITH COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

In certain situations, students with communicable diseases or conditions may not be allowed to have patient contact. This restriction may be necessary to protect the health and safety of both patients and coworkers.

Persons with the following medical conditions will not be allowed to have patient contact without a medical clearance:

  1. Active chickenpox, measles, rubella, herpes zoster (shingles), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tuberculosis
  2. Oral herpes with draining lesions
  3. Group A streptococcal disease (i.e., strep throat) until 24 hours of treatment received
  4. Diarrhea lasting over three days or accompanied by fever or bloody stools.
  5. Draining or infected skin lesions
  6. Conjunctivitis
  7. Viral influenza
  8. COVID 19

If unsure whether a student should participate in patient care, contact the SHCC clinical staff at (352) 294-5700.

It is the responsibility of the student to report sharps injuries, needle sticks, or other potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens via blood or body fluids immediately to the supervisor at the facility where the accident occurs.

In the event that the student contracts a communicable disease which potentially poses a risk to patients or co-workers (e.g. tuberculosis, varicella), steps will be taken to prevent dissemination in accordance with Student Health, Public Health and/or CDC protocols. Certain communicable diseases may also be reported to county or state health authorities, as required by law.

POLICIES REGARDING HIV/AIDS AND OTHER COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

It is the policy of the University of Florida to assess the needs of students or employees with HIV infection or other communicable diseases on a case-by-case basis. If any such infection occurs in a medical student, any recommendations made or actions taken by the College of Medicine will respect the confidentiality and welfare of the student, while also recognizing and responding to issues regarding the welfare of patients, the College of Medicine and the hospital and outpatient clinics. Each student’s situation will be evaluated by the College on a case-by-case basis. With the permission of the affected student, the Director of the Student Health Care Center (a physician) will assist in the coordination of resources and services.

Currently, the UF College of Medicine does not require routine HIV testing of patients, students or healthcare workers. However, it is certainly prudent for individual healthcare workers, including students, to be aware of their own individual HIV status so that they can take appropriate precautions and measures. With current advances in treatment of HIV infection, early intervention can be crucial in maintaining well-being and delaying complications of the illness. If future state or federal legislation were to change guidelines or requirements for HIV testing of healthcare workers or healthcare students, the College of Medicine will comply as required.

In the event of a potential bloodborne pathogen exposure in a student, the medical provider will recommend HIV testing as a baseline and also follow-up intervals of 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. When testing is medically advisable, it is subject to informed consent, and results are treated confidentially.

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