Pathogen Exposure & Infection Control Protocol

ARC-PA 6th ed Standard A3.05

Enrollment in a medical education program often yields unintentional exposure to unavoidable diseases such as viruses. Should the need arise, the student’s responsibility is to pursue healthcare and treatment advice, including a timeframe for safe return to class or SCPE site from their medical provider.

It is the policy of the GWU Department of PA Studies to follow the guidelines made by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding the use of Standard/Universal Precautions to prevent the spread of infection and reduce occupational exposure to blood and body fluid pathogens.

Students MUST undergo training on potential hazards, standard precautions, and safety procedures related to exposure to chemical and bloodborne pathogens before or at enrollment. NOTE: As part of the supervised clinical practice experience, students may be required to complete additional site-specific safety or security training.

In all exposure instances, medical evaluation, treatment of injuries, and evaluation focused on risk limits should be conducted immediately by:

  • Any local occupational medicine clinic, urgent care clinic, or
  • If there is an emergency, call 911 for rapid treatment and transport to the nearest emergency room

Accidental Exposure to Infectious Diseases Incident Reporting

The procedures for care and treatment after exposure to infectious or potentially infectious blood and/or body fluid remain the student’s financial responsibility.

GWU PA students exposed to blood or body fluids (e.g., from a needle stick or scalpel injury or splashing of body fluids in the eye, the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose, or on non-intact skin) must adhere to the following exposure protocol for proper workup, counseling, and follow-up.

In the event of accidental exposure (needle stick, splash, TB exposure, etc.), students should follow these basic principles:

  • Remove or dilute the infectious material and institute first aid measures as appropriate.
  • Remove soiled clothing.
  • Thoroughly wash skin and mucosa with copious amounts of water and soap. Contamination of the eyes requires immediate flushing with water or ophthalmic saline irrigation solution for 15 minutes (remove contacts first if you are a contact wearer).
  • The student will notify the immediate faculty and the Director of Didactic Education or Associate Director (during 16 months of on-campus training) or the Director of Clinical Education or Associate Director (during the 12 months of clinical training).
  • The student must submit an Incident Report Form within 48 hours
  • THE STUDENT MUST BE EVALUATED IMMEDIATELY BY A MEDICAL PROVIDER for treatment and evaluation for prophylaxis.
  • The student should utilize University Health Services if the incident occurs on campus or a local hospital emergency department for 24-hour accessibility or urgent care with extended hours, depending on the time of exposure and the geography of a clinical rotation assignment. If the facility in which the student is assigned has a protocol for testing students, the PA Studies department encourages the student to utilize those services.
  • Along with the medical provider in the facility above, a student should assess the infection risk, including an evaluation of the type and amount of infectious material, the mode of transmission, the portal of entry, and the general and specific conditions of the host. In addition, the student should obtain the patient’s name and medical record number. For accidents with microorganisms for which serological tests are available, a baseline serum sample should be obtained at the time of occurrence.

Note: neither the clinical agency nor GWU is responsible for the cost of the care involved in the treatment, maintenance, or surveillance of exposure to blood or body fluids. See Student Health Policy.

Students should follow the guidance of their evaluating clinician based on established guidelines and have appropriate interval follow-ups.

OSHA standards 1910-1030 require the record of the exposed student to be kept for the duration of the status as a student plus 30 years. These copies reside with the student and the healthcare provider.

Effects of Infectious/Environmental Disease or Disability:
Students who contract infectious/environmental diseases or disabilities will be reviewed individually based on the status of their individual cases. Students whose disease/disability necessitates an extended leave will require a medical deceleration granted by the APC and Executive Committees.

The CDC provides a wealth of guidelines embraced by the Department of PA Studies. Please review each below:

Compliance with all safety practices is not just proper procedure but is also a mark of professionalism. Failure to observe and practice Standard/Universal Precautions will result in adverse/disciplinary action for unprofessional behavior.