Bodily Fluids Exposure and or Injury during Clinical Practicum Experience

United States University acknowledges the inherent risks associated with working around or with patients and health care organizations, including a potential exposure to blood and body fluids. Once in a patient care setting, you will have access to and are expected to utilize appropriate blood borne pathogen barriers, proper sanitary precautions, and appropriate biohazard disposal equipment and procedures at each clinical practicum site. The following policy outlines your responsibilities in this area:

You must have and maintain current health insurance and show verification of coverage each year while matriculated in the program.

United States University and the clinical practicum agencies that provide clinical practicum experiences for students are not responsible or liable for the costs of medical follow-up or expenses incurred.

If evaluation and treatment is required by the facility where you are completing clinical practicum experiences, the student is responsible for all costs and associated follow up.

In the event that you are injured or exposed to blood and body fluids, you will:

Immediately notify your course instructor or site supervisor.
Wash the area immediately and thoroughly with soap and water.
Within 24 hours, follow-up with your own Primary Care Provider who will decide of immunization status and give appropriate prophylaxis or referral for appropriate prophylaxis.
Assume full responsibility for disease sequelae.
Follow the policies of the agency (if any).
Complete an incident report with the course faculty who was present during incident. A copy of this report will be given to the Office of Field Experience and placed in the student’s file.