Occupational Exposure and Infectious Disease Response

The PA Program follows the University policies governing exposure to infectious and communicable diseases and occupational health incidents. These policies define required prevention training, exposure response procedures, medical follow-up, reporting requirements, and financial responsibility.

Methods of Prevention

Prior to participating in any educational activity that may involve exposure to infectious agents
or environmental hazards, students will receive required education on hazard recognition,  standard and transmission-based precautions, hand hygiene, appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe handling and disposal of sharps and biohazardous materials, environmental safety practices, and emergency procedures. Students must comply with all University, affiliated clinical site, and applicable regulatory infection prevention and occupational safety policies, maintain all required immunizations and health clearances, and use appropriate engineering controls and PPE for the activity being performed. Students who fail to meet these requirements or who do not adhere to established safety practices may be prohibited from participating in activities that present an exposure risk until deficiencies are corrected.

Students who experience an occupational exposure—including percutaneous injury, contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin, or contact with blood or other potentially infectious fluids—must follow the procedures outlined in:

• UT Tyler Policy 12.08.1 – Exposure to Infectious Disease Policy and Procedure
• UT Tyler Policy 12.08.2 – Exposure Flowchart Policy

These policies require that students:

• Clean the exposure site immediately.
• Report the incident to supervising clinical faculty.
• Seek medical evaluation and treatment within two (2) hours, inform the Emergency Room your are a UT Tyler SOM student.
• Sign a release of medical information to facilitate follow up care so results can be sent to the follow up care provider.
• Submit required exposure and incident reports. One report should be submitted to the UT Environmental Health and Safety at USC 135 or fax 903-565-5829.
• Notify the Program Director within 24 hours, Fill out form SOM Internal Notification of Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure.
• Students should seek a follow up visit within 72 hours after the initial exposure.

The SOM will reimburse eligible medical expenses related to occupational exposure up to $1000, additional expenses beyond $1000 will be the responsibility of the student. Provided that reporting timelines and procedures are followed.

Failure to comply with exposure protocols may result in loss of eligibility for reimbursement and may constitute a professionalism or safety violation.

Environmental Health

The program of PA Studies strives to provide a workplace free of hazards that is conducive to education, research and patient care. The University is dedicated to assisting in the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of physical and health hazards at the university. The University Environmental Health and Safety division provides training and resources to anticipate and mitigate such hazards.

Upon assignment of faculty and staff, or matriculation of students assigned to the Department of PA studies, mandatory training in the following areas will occur:

• Blood borne Pathogens
• Exposure to Infectious and environmental Hazards
• TB exposure control
• Respiratory Protection
• Laboratory Policies and Procedures
• Emergency Evacuation
• OSHA requirements
• HIPAA compliance (SOM)

Safety

The University of Texas at Tyler is responsible for the security and personal safety of students and faculty at instructional locations. The University Police are the primary point of contact for any safety or security concerns. The University has developed policies and procedures to assist students and faculty with safety and security.

On UT Tyler Campus’ (Main, Health Science Center, Medical Education Center, Longview University Center, and Lake Palestine), security and services are provided by the UT Tyler police. All law enforcement personnel are trained to the State of Texas standard for Law Enforcement office the UT police which details services and support to the University upon hiring or matriculation.

The University Police maintain a campus wide alert system that both faculty and staff are encouraged to link to both phone and e-mail addresses to pass critical emergency information as it occurs on campus.

The University Police maintain a website at UT Tyler Police Department. This website provides detailed information on the following subjects:

• Crime Prevention
• Daily Crime Log
• Police Department Feedback
• Forms (CSA Crime Reporting Form, Silent Witness Crime Reporting Form)
• After Hours Building Access
• Blue Light Phones
• Campus Crime Alerts
• Lost and Found
• Racial Profiling
• Report a Crime
• Safety
• Safety App
• Safety Tips
• Safe Walk
• Police Services
• SOR Registry
• Student of Concern Report

The UT Police provide a password protected link to video training concerning the following subjects:

• Active Shooter training
• Violence prevention training
• Sexual Assault training

The University provides emergency call boxes throughout the campus and parking areas for emergency dispatch of police, EMS or fire services.

Additional services provided to the students and faculty by the UT Police include:

• The Safe Walk program
• Patrol monitoring request
• Motorist assistance

Information on the above services can be found at: UT Tyler Police Department. Compliance with all local, state, and federal requirements are reviewed and published yearly by the university.

New students, faculty and staff will be briefed by SHP and University representatives on the above at student orientation upon arrival as a student or hiring as faculty or staff, and updated regularly through student and University e-mail accounts.

Safety during SCPE

Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences (SCPEs), also known as clinical rotations or clerkships, provide invaluable direct patient care experiences across a variety of clinical practice environments and often located off campus.

All clinical rotations are initially evaluated to ensure they will provide quality and safe clinical education experience; maintained through affiliation agreements and reevaluated annually. Upon appointment, all Preceptors and Students are oriented to the University, School of Health Professions, and Program policies and procedures and provided with a handbook for reference.

In accordance with ARC-PA Standards, the sponsoring institution is responsible for addressing appropriate security and personal safety measures for PA students in all locations where instruction occurs. The following list of responsibilities, helps to ensure that students receive the very best and safe clinical education experience.

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