SA-4411 Student Exposure to Infectious and Environmental Hazards

1.0      Purpose

The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM) is committed to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment for all medical students. In alignment with the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) Standard 12, Element 8, this policy outlines the procedures and responsibilities related to student exposure to infectious and environmental hazards. It is designed to educate students on prevention strategies, provide guidance for post-exposure care, clarify financial responsibilities, and ensure that students are informed about how such exposures may affect their educational activities.

2.0      Definitions

• Chemical: Exposure to substances like sterilants, hazardous drugs, disinfectants, and latex, which can cause allergic reactions or other toxic effects.
• Biological: Exposure to infectious agents like viruses, bacteria, and parasites, which can lead to illnesses such as HIV or tuberculosis. This includes the risk from hazardous healthcare waste.
• Physical: Factors like exposure to radiation (e.g., X-rays, CT scans), unsafe patient handling that can cause injury or long-term health problems.
• Environmental Hazard: A condition or exposure in the educational, laboratory, or clinical environment that may pose a risk to student health or safety, including but not limited to chemical, biological, physical, radiological, ergonomic, or other occupational hazards.
• Bloodborne Pathogens: Pathogenic microorganisms present in human blood that can cause disease in humans. Bloodborne pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

3.0      Policy

This policy applies to all medical students enrolled at VTCSOM, as well as VT employed faculty and staff involved in medical education. This policy is distributed to students at each curricular phase. All stakeholders are expected to be familiar with the contents of this policy and adhere to its provisions to ensure the health and safety of the learning environment.

All exposures and injuries should be reported. Reporting will not result in retaliation or adverse academic action. Student health information will remain confidential in accordance with applicable laws and institutional policies.

Students are required to have a respirator “mask” fitting annually through Carilion Clinic Occupational Health.  This is tracked by enrollment management and required for participation in clinical activities.

VTCSOM maintains a Student Health Oversight Committee (SHOC) that meets at least twice annually to monitor and ensure that institutional policies and procedures related to student health, including timely access to care and the prevention, reporting, management, and follow-up of occupational exposures, are current, effective, and compliant with LCME standards.

4.0      Procedures

Immediately after known exposure at a VTCSOM course or clerkship site, the student must contact their clinical instructor or attending physician. The student should then follow the steps for managing an exposure to blood or body fluids through open skin contact, mucous membrane, or a needle stick listed in the Student Health and Wellness section of the student handbook. VTCSOM students will follow the protocols of the Carilion Clinic CMC/CNRV Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure (BBPE) Process Map. The Carilion Clinic Bloodborne Pathogens/OPIM Exposure Control Plan policy is available online, in the student handbook, as well as on the Carilion intranet.

Students who experience an infectious or chemical exposure or physical injury in the clinical setting should report to Carilion Occupational Health for evaluation. After evaluation and follow up plan established, student should report the event to VT Occupational Health to ensure appropriate navigation of follow up and student support.

5.0        References

• Carilion Clinic Bloodborne Pathogens/OPIM Exposure Control Plan
• Carilion Clinic Employee Health
• Carilion Clinic Occupational Health, Safety and Wellness
• Carilion Family Medicine/VT Student Health Center
• VTCSOM Students Known to be Infected with a Bloodborne Pathogen (SA-4412)
• Student Handbook
• Virginia Tech Occupational Health (ehsmedserv@vt.edu)
  

6.0        Approval and Revisions

Approved by the Medical Curriculum Committee on June 18, 2026