Exposure Control Plan
Due to the nature of the clinical environment, students may be exposed to communicable diseases including, but not limited to HIV, Hepatitis B & C, tuberculosis, measles, mumps, and chicken pox. Appropriate vaccinations and boosters will help to decrease risk of contraction. Some vaccinations are required for admittance into the DPTE program. However, it is the student’s responsibility to update and maintain booster shots. It is very important to keep current vaccinations against diseases including but not limited to polio, diphtheria, smallpox, and tetanus. Should a student be exposed to a communicable disease, the student is required to contact the clinical instructor and Director of Clinical Education immediately even if the student has had the appropriate vaccinations and/or previous exposure. Also, the student must follow the established post-exposure procedures at the clinical facility. Quarantine from the rest of the class will be enforced by Public Health officials only as a last resort for protection of the staff and students. If quarantine should become necessary, the faculty will make every effort to keep the student up-to-date on assignments and assistance for those assignments will be made. Failure to follow these procedures may result in disciplinary action.
When appropriate, the SHS may implement additive procedures to minimize the risk of transmission of communicable diseases. These procedures may include a variety of procedures including but not limited to the use of disposable masks and gloves. In general, the SHS will follow the procedure established by the University in classroom and laboratory settings and follow procedures used by ConeHealth when students, faculty, and staff are working in a clinical or simulated clinical environment. These procedures can change on an ad hoc basis and will be communicated to students by the Dean, the DPTE Department Chair, faculty, and/or staff.
Should a student sustain an injury/illness while onsite during a clinical practicum, the student is to follow OSHA policies of the facility and report the incident to the Director of Clinical Education and/or program chair. Should a student sustain an injury/illness while offsite during the clinical practicum, the student is required to notify the Director of Clinical Education and/or program chair. In all cases of accidents or injury, the student(s) need to complete the Elon Accident & Injury Report Form:
Link: https://www.elon.edu/u/bft/administrative-services/accident-report/
The student shall obtain a letter from his/her/their medical physician providing either medical clearance to perform the essential functions required in the clinical setting or accommodations needed before the student may re-enter the clinical setting.