Exposure to Infectious and Environmental Hazards

Medical students and physicians are potentially exposed to patients with infectious disease. All medical students will be educated and trained to prevent or reduce exposure to blood borne pathogens. Students have traditionally represented a large group reporting exposures to blood in hospital and clinical settings. For this reason, procedures have been developed to inform students of potential risk and teach them techniques and procedures designed to decrease or avoid exposure. In addition, follow-up, diagnostic and treatment regimens have been implemented to address exposures after they occur.

Education

HIPAA Training

All medical students are required to complete training for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The training, which addresses the School's specific privacy policies and procedures, is held annually. In addition, you may be asked to complete HIPAA training at individual clinical sites, including the partner hospitals of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. Information regarding training and compliance can be found through the HIPAA/Security.

OSHA Training

Students are introduced to the concept of infection control and work-related exposure during their first year of medical school during a mandatory online training. Education and training regarding exposures will be updated annually throughout medical school, including the transition course. Students must attend sessions each year and be certified to continue patient care activities. Students are expected to understand and comply with the following procedures:

  • Universal precautions
  • Needle/sharp safety
  • Use of protective equipment
  • Isolation guidelines

Protocol for Student Exposure to Blood Borne Pathogens

All exposures must be reported to the Student Health Center in Reno, regardless of where the exposure occurred. Appropriate follow-up treatment will be provided by the UNR Student Health Center (SHC) in Reno.

Please see the Student Fluid Exposure Policy for more information.

Student Transmissible Disease Policy

Transmissible Disease Expert Panel Protocol

  1. The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine Transmissible Disease Expert Panel shall meet on a regular academic semester basis, in addition to a case-by-case basis to assess, reassess and, where appropriate, to modify its original recommendations as circumstances warrant.
  2. Upon notification as outlined in Section 6.2 - Notification and Reporting Requirements, the Associate Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs presents to the UNR Med Transmissible Disease Expert Panel any and all reports received for discussion.
    • The UNR Med Transmissible Disease Expert Panel will review the report and, if necessary, formulate a recommended action plan.
    • The UNR Med  Transmissible Disease Expert Panel will issue recommendation(s) within a reasonable time frame.
    • Recommendations of the UNR Med Transmissible Disease Expert Panel may include, but are not limited to: postponement of, modification of, or discontinuation of a student's educational process.
    • The Associate Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs shall notify the student and all appropriate parties in writing of his/her determination. Said notification shall include a copy of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine Transmissible Disease Expert Panel's recommendations.
  3. The student must comply with the recommendations of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine Transmissible Disease Expert Panel. Failure to do so may result in the discontinuation and/or restriction of the student's activities related to the educational process; or, dismissal from medical school.