DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT FOR PRELIMINARY ACCREDITATION.

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2015-2016 DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT

FOR PRELIMINARY ACCREDITATION

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STANDARD 12: MEDICAL STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES, PERSONAL COUNSELING, AND FINANCIAL AID SERVICES

A medical school provides effective student services to all medical students to assist them in achieving the program’s goals for its students. All medical students have the same rights and receive comparable services.

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OVERVIEW DOCUMENTATION FOR STANDARD 12

Table 12.0-1 | Support Services at Geographically Distributed Campuses Source: School-reported

Indicate how the following services will be made available to students at each distributed campus by placing a “Y” in the appropriate columns(s). Add additional rows for each service/campus. Note: this question only applies to schools with geographically distributed campus(es).

Available to Students Via Campus

Services Personal counseling Student health services Student well-being programs Financial aid management Personnel located on campus Spokane Y Y Y Y

Visits from central campus personnel Spokane Y Y Y Y E-mail or Tele/ Videoconference Spokane Y Y Y Y Student-travel

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12.1 FINANCIAL AID / DEBT MANAGEMENT COUNSELING/ STUDENT EDUCATIONAL DEBT

A medical school provides its medical students with effective financial aid and debt management counseling and has mechanisms in place to minimize the impact of direct educational expenses (i.e., tuition, fees, books, supplies) on medical student indebtedness.

12.1 SUPPORTING DATA

Table 12.1-1 | Financial Aid/ Debt Management Activities Source: School-reported

Describe financial aid and debt management counseling/advising activities (including one-on-one sessions) that will be available to medical students in the first and second years/phases of the curriculum. Note whether they will be required or optional.

Financial Aid/ Debt Management Activities (Required/Optional)

Year/Phase 1 Year/Phase 2

New student orientation (Required) Boot Camp (Required clerkship years)

Medloans Organizer and Calculator (MLOC) (Required) Medloans Organizer and Calculator (MLOC) (Required) Phone interview with debt management counselor prior to

matriculation (Required)

Exit conference with debt management counselor prior to graduation (Required)

Annual one-on-one sessions with debt management counselor (Required, regardless if education related debt)

Annual one-on-one sessions with debt management counselor (Required, regardless if education related debt) Financial Information, Resources, Services, and Tools

(FIRST) materials (Required distribution to all students)

Financial Information, Resources, Services, and Tools (FIRST) materials (Required distribution to all students)

AAMC SALT Participation (Required) AAMC SALT Participation (Required)

Seminar series on special topics: Loan Repayment, Scholarship Opportunities, Public Health and Military service, etc. (Optional)

12.1 NARRATIVE RESPONSE

Provide the anticipated total tuition and fees that will be assessed to first-year medical students (both for in-state residents and out-of-state non-residents) for the year that the charter class enters. Include the medical school’s health insurance fee, even if that fee is waived for a student with proof of existing coverage.

The anticipated total tuition and fees that will be assessed to first-year medical students for the year that the charter class enters will be set by the regents including the $87.00 USD annual fee for student health services.

a. Provide the name, title, and date of appointment of the financial aid director for the medical school. Describe the anticipated staffing of the financial aid office that will be used by medical students and the reporting relationship(s) of the director of financial aid.

1. Note if the financial aid office resides organizationally within the medical school or at the university level. If the latter, list the other schools/programs that are or will be supported by financial aid office staff and their anticipated enrollment.

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2. Indicate the number of financial aid staff who will be available to assist medical students when the charter class enters and note any additional recruitments planned as the number of medical students increases. Note if any of these staff will be devoted exclusively to students in the medical school.

The Washington State University College of Medicine (WSU COM) is supported by a fully functional Office of Student Financial Services within the COM building. In addition to the fully operational office, a dedicated director of financial aid is under recruitment. This position will be full-time, with matrixed reporting lines to student services, as well as to the associate dean for student affairs in the COM. The director will work with the WSU Office of Student Financial Services to identify financial aid

opportunities for WSU COM students, with an understanding of the specifics of funding a medical education program. The director will also coordinate on campus services for medical students at each of the regional campuses; each campus has at least one dedicated advisor already onsite as part of the WSU infrastructure at distributed campuses.

The WSU COM director of financial aid will hold group sessions on loan counseling, debt management, and financial planning, which will be mandatory for all medical students during orientation and

throughout their medical education. Medical students will be able to access the director for individual counseling during normal business hours, by phone and by e-mail. The WSU COM financial aid website will include information for prospective medical students, financial literacy, debt management, links to other scholarship resources, and links and contacts to preferred lenders.

Students will be provided a printed copy of their federal loan history and will be informed about the National Student Loan Data System and how to retrieve their personal loan history during the first debt management session. Medical students will be provided an updated loan history annually during their time as a medical student with WSU COM. Toward the end of Year 2 and before starting their Year 3 core clerkships, students will be required to attend a second mandatory debt management presentation. Debt management and other financial aid information will available online on the WSU COM website. Medical students will be able to schedule individual debt management counseling with the director of financial aid.

The COM Office of Student Financial Services will be staffed by the director not later than the first recruiting year for the COM. This staffing plan will assist applicants and medical students to identify and manage the resources necessary to support. The number of staff, dedicated to financial aid or specifically the medical students, will be evaluated annually taking into account volumes, budget and FTEs.

b. Describe current activities at the medical school or university to increase the amount and availability of scholarship and grant support for medical students (e.g., a current fund-raising campaign devoted to increasing scholarship resources). Describe the goals of these activities, their current levels of success, and the timeframe for their completion.

Below are examples of the types of loans and scholarships WSU COM offers to their medical students.

Loan or Scholarship Type Description

Graduate PLUS Loans

Graduate PLUS loan amounts can vary widely. Students can borrow as much as they like as long as they do not exceed their total cost of attendance including other types of aid. Please note that this loan is subject to credit requirements.

Health Profession Loans Health Profession Loans are awarded based on EFC criteria, FAFSA submission date, as well as the current HPL funding level. Amounts awarded vary by availability. Scholarships Scholarships will be developed through the Elson S. Floyd Founders Fund prior to the _{matriculation of the charter class}

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The Washington State University College of Medicine (WSU COM) is sensitive to the financial burden medical students face, and is developing mechanisms including tuition remission awards, scholarships, grants, and loans to minimize the impact of direct educational expenses on medical student indebtedness. Significant fundraising efforts are currently underway to acquire funding for medical student support and scholarships are the top priority for this fundraising. Moreover, philanthropic support has been developed to fund scholarships and activities directly related to the new medical school.

c. Describe other mechanisms that will be used by the medical school and the university to limit medical student debt, such as limiting tuition increases.

The COM dean is working with central administration to limit tuition increases in order to minimize the impact of medical student indebtedness. While this effort starts with campus administrators, education efforts are ongoing with state legislatures, administrators and financial donors. The mechanisms implemented to limit student debt include: philanthropy, in-kind support, research funding, and interprofessional funding.

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12.2 TUITION REFUND POLICY

A medical school has clear, reasonable, and fair policies for the refund of a medical student’s tuition, fees, and other allowable payments (e.g., payments made for health or disability insurance, parking, housing, and other similar services for which a student may no longer be eligible following withdrawal).

a. Briefly describe the tuition and fee refund policy. Describe how the policy will be disseminated to medical students.

Tuition refund policies are set at the university level. Washington State University College of Medicine (WSU COM) planned policy for tuition and fee refund payments to medical students reflects the following schedule:

Refunds

Medical students who withdraw in the academic year will receive a refund of tuition and fees based upon the following schedule:

Week Percent (%) Refund

1 100 2 80 3 80 4 70 5 60 6 60 7 50 8 50 9 40 10+ 0

Notice of intention to withdraw must be made in writing to the registrar. The institution will terminate student services and privileges at the effective time of the student’s withdrawal.

b. If not included in the tuition refund policy, describe policies related to the refund of payments made for health and disability insurance and for other fees.

All additional fees incurred are included in the tuition refund policy in the supporting documentation for Element 12.2.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR ELEMENT 12.2

1. Policy for refunding tuition and fee payments to medical students who withdraw or are dismissed from the medical education program.

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12.3 PERSONAL COUNSELING / W ELL-BEING PROGRAMS

A medical school has in place an effective system of personal counseling for its medical students that includes programs to promote their well-being and to facilitate their adjustment to the physical and emotional demands of medical education.

a. Describe the system that the medical school is creating for personal counseling of medical students, including plans to ensure that counseling is accessible and confidential. Note especially the

individuals who will be available to provide personal counseling (i.e., roles and titles, as available, and where services will be provided.

WSU COM will provide personal counseling for its students. The infrastructure for the services are already available to students, and facilities are located on the main and regional campuses. Counseling services are provided by professionals who have no role in the assessment or evaluation of the students in the medical education program.

The WSU Office of Counseling Services on the Spokane campus helps students with their personal concerns about family, school, their environment, etc. so they may meet the daily challenges of life as a [professional] college student. These services include counseling for individuals, partners and groups, psychological testing, and workshops. To ensure privacy and confidentiality for WSU COM students seeking information and support, the resources are located in secure offices in the facility. Confidentiality and privacy is enhanced by multiple entrances and exits. Any and all contact with this office is

confidential as provided within the parameters of professional ethics, federal and state statutes, and HIPAA requirements.

The Office of Counseling Services is staffed by licensed mental health professionals, and is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on designated university holidays. Counseling Services has partnered with the city crisis hotline which offers a 24 hour / 7 day a week urgent crisis intervention with licensed psychologists.

b. Summarize programs being created to facilitate students’ ongoing adjustment to the physical and emotional demands of medical school.

A director for counseling and wellness position was created, under the auspices of the Washington State University College of Medicine (WSU COM) Office of Student Affairs. This position will be filled not later than spring 2016. A Wellness Program will be emphasized with the goal of optimizing healthy coping strategies, balancing the demands of a medical education program, and achieving academic success. The college will foster an environment in which there is an abundance of health promotion culture and conditions. The program will kick off at student orientation, and on an ongoing basis will consist of coordination of student social events, workshops, speakers and other relevant activities. Student representatives from each of the four classes will participate in a Wellness Committee. Students and faculty will be encouraged to become a “Wellness Representative” by participating in a prescribed number of seminars and events. Several resources will be available on campus to promote physical activity. Students’ representatives will also participate as peer mentors to their medical school colleagues.

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12.4 STUDENT ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE SERVICES

A medical school provides its medical students with timely access to needed diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic health services at sites in reasonable proximity to the locations of their required educational experiences and has policies and procedures in place that permit students to be excused from these experiences to seek needed care.

a. Describe planning for a system to provide medical students with access to diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic health services, including where and by whom (i.e., roles and titles, as available) services will be provided. For example, if there is a student health center, comment on its location, staffing, and hours of operation.

The Washington State University – Spokane Campus’ Wellness Collaborative promotes physical fitness, nutritional health, emotional and psychological well-being, environmental stability, and community vibrancy. The Wellness Collaborative’s mission is to link students, faculty, and staff to health and wellness programs by fostering a thriving culture of wellness for the Spokane campus community. The WSU COM has partnered with the Providence Medical Group to offer primary care, internal medicine, and urgent care to the WSU COM students at multiple, conveniently located facilities

throughout Spokane during students’ first two years of the curriculum. WSU COM is actively setting up similar partnerships in regional sites for the clinical training years. WSU COM students during their first two years on the Spokane campus will pay an annual health fee which entitles medical students to counseling services as well as the health education consultations, and health promotion programs offered through the Office of Student Affairs.

All WSU COM students are also required to have health insurance. The COM makes health insurance available for purchase through access to the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. The exchange created the Washington Healthplanfinder as an easily accessible, online marketplace to compare and enroll in quality health insurance plans. Students must provide the Office of Student Affairs with proof of health insurance prior to matriculation.

b. Describe how medical students at all instructional sites/campuses with required educational activities will be informed about the availability of and access to health services.

All WSU COM students will receive information about how to access health services as part of the acceptance materials, and again during orientation prior to the start of Year 1. The WSU COM Student Handbook will provide information about available health services on campus, regional campuses, and any nonclinical sites. Students will receive information about urgent care from their supervising physician as part of their orientation at each clinical site.

Any provider who delivers health services to a WSU COM medical student will have neither a role in medical student academic assessment or promotion to a professional clinical role.

c. Describe how medical students and faculty will be informed of policies that allow students to be excused from classes or clinical activities in order to access health services.

WSU COM is developing a policy and process that considers students’ needs to access health services during set classes or clinical activities. All student policies and procedures will be published in the

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Student Handbook, which is electronically distributed to new students as part of the acceptance process, and all returning students at the start of the academic year. It will also be posted on the website.

Periodically, as policies and procedures are updated or as new ones are introduced, copies of the new ones are electronically sent to all students, and are posted on the website. Consistent with the U.S. Department of Education requirements, select policies such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

(FERPA) Policy, are distributed individually along with additional training materials.

Medical students will be encouraged to schedule all necessary and routine medical appointments / exams outside of scheduled classes and/or clinical activities. WSU COM understands some medical

appointments are urgent and/or unable to be scheduled outside of set class / clinical time due to the Provider’s scheduling and therefore approval will be made on a case-by-case basis by the student’s professor or preceptor, with notice to Student Affairs.

1. Policy or guidance document that specifies that medical students may be excused from classes or clinical activities in order to access health services.

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12.5 NON-INVOLVEMENT OF PROVIDERS OF STU DENT HEALTH SERVICES IN STUDENT ASSESSMENT / LOCATION OF STUDENT HEALTH RECORDS

The health professionals who provide health services, including psychiatric/psychological counseling, to a medical student have no involvement in the academic assessment or promotion of the medical student receiving those services. A medical school ensures that medical student health records are maintained in accordance with legal requirements for security, privacy, confidentiality, and accessibility.

a. Describe how the medical school will ensure that a provider of health and/or

psychiatric/psychological services to a medical student will have no involvement in the academic assessment of or in decisions about the promotion of that student. Describe how medical students, residents, and faculty will be informed of this requirement.

Providers of health and/or psychiatric/psychological services who are also faculty are identified in the learning management system and are not assigned roles in the medical education program that involve the academic assessment of the students, nor are they assigned responsibilities on committees that have responsibility for the promotion of the students. A list of providers is distributed to course directors, to cross check that inappropriate assessments are not made. Chairs also are provided with the names of faculty who deliver health and/or psychiatric/psychological care so they can monitor assignments. b. If health and/or psychiatric/psychological services are provided by university or medical school

service providers, describe where these student health records will be stored. Note if any medical school personnel will have access to these records.

Health and/or psychiatric/psychological services are not provided by medical school service providers. Records related to services offered by the university through the WSU Counseling Services are maintained by the provider. Similarly, the medical records of students who access health and/or psychiatric/psychological services through the university’s contractual relationship with providers are maintained at the providers’ sites. Independent clinical affiliates are responsible for adhering to the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

1. Policies and/or procedures that specify that providers of health and psychiatric/psychological services to a medical student will have no involvement in the academic assessment of or in decisions about the promotion of that student.

The policy to ensure providers of sensitive health, psychiatric, or psychological care to medical students will not assess their academic performance, advancement, and/or graduation is included in Appendix 12-03.

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12.6 STUDENT ACCESS TO HEALTH AND DISABILITY INSURANCE

A medical school ensures that health insurance is available to each medical student and his or her dependents and that each medical student has access to disability insurance.

a. Indicate whether health insurance will be available to all medical students and their dependents. Describe the status of identifying health insurance options.

Health insurance is available to all medical students and their dependents through the Washington State University health exchange. All Washington State University College of Medicine (WSU COM) medical students are required to purchase and maintain adequate health insurance coverage throughout their medical school experience to help pay for services that may be needed outside of the scope of services provided through the student health services fee.

Students must provide proof of health insurance prior to matriculation. If proof of insurance is not received by the Office of Admissions two weeks prior to the start of classes, the Office of Student Affairs will be notified to assist incoming students in the selection of a health insurance plan. If a medical student has a risk for his or her insurance to lapse while at the College of Medicine, the Office of Student Affairs will direct the student to the Washington Health Benefit Exchange website.

b. Indicate whether and when (e.g., at enrollment, at the beginning of the third year) disability insurance will be made available to medical students. Describe when (e.g., during orientation) and by what means medical students will be informed of its availability.

All WSU COM medical students will be required to purchase disability insurance; the cost will be included as part of the mandatory fees associated with the medical education program. Since WSU COM students will experience patient contact from year 1, disability insurance is a requirement throughout the program. WSU COM will be responsible for payment of the disability insurance premiums at the basic level coverage; students may elect additional coverage levels as they deem appropriate to their own personal circumstances. Education and counseling regarding these options and issues will be available through the Office of Student Affairs at enrollment.

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12.7 IMMUNIZATION GUIDELINES

A medical school follows accepted guidelines in determining immunization requirements for its medical students.

a. Summarize the medical school’s planned immunization policies and requirements for medical students. Note if the guidelines follow national and regional recommendations (e.g., from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state agencies, etc.).

The Washington State University College of Medicine (WSU COM) is committed to protecting the health and well-being of all students, faculty, staff, patients, and the public. Pre-entrance and periodic health screening evaluations for all students enrolled at WSU COM will be required in order to detect and prevent communicable diseases that may be a threat to the individuals our students are serving. All medical students are required to show written proof of appropriate immunity, either by receiving the appropriate vaccinations or by providing evidence of positive blood antibody titers.

WSU COM follows the national recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control. The following immunizations will be required for all students enrolled in the WSU COM medical education program, which involves direct patient contact in medical- or dental-care facilities where students will come in contact with human or animal biological fluids or tissue.

1. TDAP: proof of one dose of tetanus/diphtheria/a cellular pertussis (Tdap) within 10 years.

2. MEASLES (RUBEOLA): proof of two doses of measles or MMR vaccine, or one dose of measles vaccine and one dose of MMR vaccine administered since Jan. 1, 1968, or a positive titer confirming immunity (must include a copy of the laboratory report);

3. MUMPS: proof of one dose of mumps or MMR vaccine administered on or after the first birthday, or a positive titer confirming immunity (must include a copy of the laboratory report);

4. RUBELLA: proof of one dose of rubella or MMR vaccine administered on or after the first birthday, or a positive titer confirming immunity (must include a copy of the laboratory report);

5. VARICELLA: proof of two doses of varicella vaccine after the first birthday or documentation of history of the disease, including the date, or a positive titer confirming immunity (must include a copy of the laboratory report);

6. HEPATITIS B: documentation of three doses of hepatitis B vaccine, or a positive titer confirming immunity (must include a copy of the laboratory report);

7. TUBERCULIN SKIN TEST (PPD): within six months of matriculation or, if history of a positive PPD reading exists, documentation of a chest X-ray within six months of enrollment (must send radiology report of chest X-ray).

8. BACTERIAL MENINGITIS: All new students to, in conjunction with their initial registration, will receive information approved by the Washington State Department of Health related to bacterial meningitis. This information includes the symptoms of the disease; how it may be diagnosed and its possible consequences if untreated; how the disease is transmitted; how it may be prevented; and the relative risk of contracting the disease for students of higher education. The information also

discusses the availability and effectiveness of vaccination against treatment for the disease. Students are requested to confirm their receipt of this information. Students younger than 22 are required to provide documentation signed by a health practitioner evidencing immunization for bacterial meningitis five years preceding the first day of classes of the semester they are enrolling. The immunization must be documented at least 10 days prior to the start of the term.

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WSU COM medical students will be informed about the immunization requirements several months prior to orientation and are asked to see their personal physician to receive the vaccines or blood antibody titer tests prior to arrival on the WSU COM campus. A completed “Student Immunization Record” form must be submitted prior to enrollment. Tuberculosis (TB) skin testing must be performed by the student’s choice of physician within 3 months prior to starting classes. To assist students in this process, a Pre-Orientation Checklist outlining the fundamental requirements and deadlines will be sent to all admitted students, and sufficient time is provided for students to comply with all orientation requirements. In addition, the student may be required to have additional vaccines and/or other medical tests prior to starting classes and/or clinical clerkships, as indicated by the clinical educational affiliate site, guidelines issued by the Washington State University and board of regents, or recommendations from the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

WSU COM will develop its policy and procedures based on the guidelines issued by the Washington State University and board of regents requirements, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, and requirements from individual clinical teaching sites.

b. Note if immunizations will be available on campus (e.g., at the student health center) and how the costs of immunizations will be covered.

Immunizations will be offered through the Providence Medical Group facilities who accept the WSU COM medical student health fee. In addition, the annual flu immunization will be offered free of charge to medical students at the WSU COM campus. The costs for the other mandated immunizations will be covered by WSU COM’s contract with the Providence Medical Group and any additional vaccine costs not covered in this contract will be dependent on the individual student’s health insurance policy. c. Describe how and by whom the immunization status of medical students will be monitored. The Office of Student Affairs will monitor the status of student immunizations to ensure they remain current and will contact students when deficiencies or lapses arise. Medical school faculty and staff members will not have access to students’ immunization records.

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12.8 STUDENT EXPOSURE POLICIES / PROCEDURES

A medical school has policies in place that effectively address medical student exposure to infectious and environmental hazards, including:

• The education of medical students about methods of prevention.

• The procedures for care and treatment after exposure, including a definition of financial responsibility.

• The effects of infectious and environmental disease or disability on medical student learning activities.

• All registered medical students (including visiting students) are informed of these policies before undertaking any educational activities that would place them at risk.

a. Describe planning for institutional policies in the following areas related to medical student exposure to infectious and environmental hazards.

1. The education of medical students about methods of prevention.

2. The procedures for care and treatment after exposure, including definition of financial responsibility.

3. The implications of infectious and/or environmental disease or disability on medical student educational activities.

The Washington State University College of Medicine (WSU COM) adheres to Washington State University Guidelines for Exposure Management / Medical Services. Medical students will be educated on the management of occupational exposure during orientation and no more than one week before entering the clinical setting. The implications of infectious and/or environmental disease or disability will be covered during orientation, and through periodic mandatory workshops introduced during clinical skills courses for the students.

i. Educating Students about Methods of Prevention

The WSU COM will be diligent in educating students about precautionary and infection control measures for pathogens and environmental hazards prior to students’ first contact with patients and first contact with human tissue, blood products, and body fluids. The goal of WSU COM is all students learn appropriate procedures to follow in the event they are injured or potentially exposed to pathogens, communicable diseases, or environmental hazards. Ultimately, each student shares responsibility for his/her health and safety in the clinical/educational setting.

ii. Policies Regarding Procedures for Post-Exposure Care and Treatment

To receive timely diagnostic and therapeutic care, students who become exposed to biohazardous

materials while on the WSU COM campus must follow established the protocols. For more complex care, for community exposures, or when the clinics are closed, the student will be referred to the nearest affiliate hospital Emergency Department or to an adequate geographically located outpatient facility to obtain appropriate care.

Students who become exposed to biohazardous materials while at a WSU COM affiliated clinical site (or other institution) must follow the site’s established protocols for immediate care and treatment after exposure. In case of exposure to blood and other body fluids at any other location (e.g., on campus or in

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the community), students should follow the procedural guidelines of the biosafety program. Medical students may receive follow-up care and treatment for exposures that occur at off-campus clinical or household sites either at the student health clinics or through their private physician.

Medical students will assume responsibility for all charges associated with the diagnosis and treatment that is not covered by his/her health insurance.

iii. Effects of infectious and/or environmental disease or disability on medical student activities Students infected with infectious and/or environmental disease shall not, solely because of such infection, be excluded from participation in any phase of his or her progression through medical school, including educational opportunities, employment, and extracurricular activities, except as otherwise required by applicable federal, state, or local laws, or unless their health condition presents a direct threat to the health and safety to themselves or others. During the infectious stage of the disease, students are excluded from participation in the activities noted above. Students who know or who have reasonable basis for believing they are infected are expected to seek medical care at the appropriate affiliated medical facilities or from their private physician. Medical students will be excused from classroom or clinical activities in order to seek medical care.

Medical students with communicable diseases or conditions will not be permitted to engage in patient contact until a physician has documented such conditions have resolve and are no longer a threat to the health or safety of the community. Persons with the following medical conditions are not allowed patient contact without prior medical clearance:

• Active chickenpox, measles, German measles, herpes zoster (shingles), acute hepatitis, and • Tuberculosis (TB);

• Group A streptococcal disease (strep throat) until 24 hours after initiation of treatment; or • Draining or infected skin lesions.

If a student is unsure whether he or she should participate in patient care, the student should contact the Office of Student Affairs or their preceptor of clinical activities.

Students who are at high risk of infection from patients or other personnel because of their immune status or any other reason are encouraged to discuss their work responsibilities and educational activities with their personal health care provider. If the health care provider believes that there are certain assignments the individual should not accept due to personal health reasons, it is the student’s responsibility to discuss these concerns with his/her faculty supervisor. In some cases, students may be unable to participate fully in medical school life or meet the technical standards of WSU COM because of his or her illness. In these cases, students may seek assistance from the Office of Student Affairs to discuss the existence and nature of the disability and whether reasonable accommodations are available.

If a student’s exposure results in the contraction of a disease or disability, the student will be allowed to continue in the education program with as little disruption as safely possible depending on the

circumstances. The student’s specific medical circumstances will be evaluated confidentially on a case-by-case basis and nondiscriminatory recommendations regarding the student’s progress through medical school may be submitted to the student promotion committee for appropriate action, if necessary.

b. Briefly summarize any planned protocols that medical students will follow in the case of exposure to body fluids that may be contaminated, including infectious disease screening and follow-up. Describe when and how students, including visiting students, will learn about the procedures to be followed in

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the event of exposure to blood-borne or air-borne pathogens (e.g., a needle-stick injury).

All medical students will receive an orientation to the policy of the partner hospital prior to commencing laboratory and/or patient care activities. The sponsoring host faculty member at WSU COM is responsible for ensuring all medical students receive the appropriate training and orientation prior to starting

laboratory or clinical activities at one of WSU COM’s clinical affiliates. In addition, the sponsoring host faculty member is responsible for ensuring the proper procedures are followed in the event of potential exposure.

To assist in determining the potential severity of the exposure; immediately after known exposure, medical students must contact their clinical instructor or attending physician and report the name of the source patient, hospital number, date of birth, location within the hospital, the potentially infectious materials involved in the incident – blood, amniotic fluid, etc., and a detailed account of the incident. When indicated and if appropriate, appropriate and immediate first aid and a tetanus booster should be administered. Students who experience needle-stick and other types of injuries at hospitals or ambulatory clinics must immediately notify their physician supervisor. In all cases, students receive immediate first aid and initial care at the site where the injury occurred. Students may be referred to the nearest hospital emergency department, student health clinic or to their primary care physician for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up based on the type and/or type of incident.

All affiliation agreements with clinical care sites will contain provisions for the care of students who sustain needle-stick injuries or other exposure provisions. The clerkship directors at clinical sites will be responsible for informing clinical faculty and residents about WSU COM’s needle-stick policies and procedures. Students will be responsible for following the guidelines for needle stick and body-fluid exposure which includes filing both an incident report and health insurance claims. The staff in the Office of Student Affairs will assist students with the filing of their insurance claims and providing excused medical absences, as necessary, for students to receive required follow-up care.

c. Describe when in the course of their education medical students will learn how to prevent exposure to infectious diseases, especially from body fluids.

All WSU COM medical students will receive information about prevention of exposure to infectious diseases and other biohazardous or environmental materials during orientation prior to the beginning of Year 1. Formal and clinical education about prevention and the pathophysiology of infectious diseases that could potentially be transmitted in a clinical care setting (e.g., hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, TB, meningitis, varicella, influenza, and HIV) will be provided in the APM course within the first month of classes during Year 1.

Prior to any involvement in patient care, the supervising attending physician at each affiliate site will provide WSU COM medical students information regarding the policies and procedures at those

respective locations. WSU COM partnered clinical sites have their own policies and procedures students must follow in the event of exposure to bloodborne or airborne pathogens at that site. An attending physician or resident may, when the potential risk for blood contamination is greater than usual (e.g., scrubbing for surgeries, performing IV procedures), will remind students at that time about the policy and procedures in effect for that specific procedure at that clinical site.

Policies and procedures regarding exposure to infectious and environmental hazards are included in the WSU COM medical student handbook.

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1. Relevant policies on medical student exposure to infections and environmental hazards, including the implications of infectious and/or environmental disease or disability on medical student educational activities.