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VI-11.00(A) UMCP POLICY AND PROCEDURES CONCERNING HIV INFECTION AND AIDS
APPROVED BY THE PRESIDENT 1 AUGUST 1991
I. Policy
University of Maryland at College Park recognizes that current knowledge
indicates that a person with any form of Human Immunodeficiency Virus
(HIV) infection does not pose a direct or indirect health risk to other
students or employees in an academic setting or related activities which
involve only casual, non-intimate contact. The University views this
illness as a serious social and personal tragedy, and seeks to address
all ramifications of this policy with sensitivity toward all who may be
involved or affected. Every effort will be expended to avoid the
influence of false or ill-founded prejudices on official actions, or the
tolerance of any personal harassment toward an individual who is
affected by the disease.
The following guidelines are based on the best currently available
medical information and are compatible with statements by the United
States Public Health Service and the Centers for Disease Control and the
American College Health Association (ACHA). All matters relating HIV
infection including, but not limited to, AIDS education, testing, and
counseling shall be the responsibility of the Director of the University
Health Center.
II. General Guidelines
A. Application
These guidelines shall apply to all UMCP students and employees.
B. Admissions to the University
The existence of any form of HIV infection/ AIDS infection shall
not be considered in the initial admission decision for any
otherwise qualified person applying to attend the University.
C. Attendance
Students with HIV infection, whether they are symptomatic or
not, shall be allowed regular classroom attendance without
restriction as long as they are physically able to attend class.
D. Access to Facilities
Students and employees with HIV infection shall not be
restricted from the use of any facilities including the student
union, theaters, restaurants, snack bars, gymnasiums, swimming
pools, saunas, recreational facilities, or other common areas.
E. Residential Housing
Decisions about housing for students with HIV infection shall be
made on a case by case basis based on the best currently
available medical information and in consultation with the
Director of the University Health Center. Particular concern
shall be paid to the psychosocial, emotional and social welfare
of the infected student and his or her roommates or suitemates.
The provision of clinical services for those infected shall
include consideration of medical history, medical and
psychological follow-up, the possibility of HIV people more
easily contracting contagious diseases, and the special
requirements needed for immunizations for persons with poorly
functioning immune systems.
F. HIV Antibody Testing
The University of Maryland at College Park has no mandatory HIV
testing requirements. No attempt to identify a person's HIV
status will be made either as a precondition for employment or
for enrollment in an academic program.
Confidential or anonymous HIV testing, including pre/post test
counseling, will be provided (or appropriate referrals made) to
students, faculty and staff at the University Health Center.
Additionally, educational materials, programs and access to
other campus and community resources will be made available
through the University Health Center.
G. Confidentiality of Information
1. Standards
The University shall follow the American College Health
Association's guidelines (except as noted elsewhere in the
policy) as follows:
"In general, it is recommended that no specific or detailed
information concerning complaints or diagnosis be provided
to faculty, administrators, or even parents, without the
expressed written consent of the patient in each case."
2. Release of Information
Except as otherwise required by law or court order, no
person, group, agency, insurer, or institution shall be
provided any medical information of any kind without the
prior written consent of the patient.
3. "Need to Know"
The number of people within the University who are aware of
the existence and/or identity of students or employees who
have the HIV infection should be kept to minimum in order
to protect the confidentiality of and privacy of infected
persons, and avoid the generation of fear and anxiety among
other students and staff. There is no medical necessity to
advise other students living in the same residence halls,
classroom, or other shared facility of the presence of
students or employees with HIV infection.
III. Procedures-Health Care Center
The Department of Environmental Safety is responsible for ensuring that
each department abides by federal, state and local regulations
pertaining to blood and body fluids. The Department of Environmental
Safety will work with the University Health Center to access current
information in the form of pamphlets, audiovisual aids and outreach
educational programs.
Each department is responsible for ensuring that all employees,
including newly assigned personnel, faculty and students, receive HIV
information and safety precautions guidelines/procedures appropriate to
the employee's responsibilities.
Each research laboratory will maintain current policies and procedures
pertaining to universal blood and body fluid precautions. A policy for
the proper disposal of needles, syringes and other contaminated
equipment, issued by the Department of Environmental Safety should be
supplemental with additional requirements specific to each laboratory
setting.
A. Universal Blood and Body Fluids Precautions
The following universal precautions are to be used at the
University Health Care Center with all patients where the
potential for blood/bodily fluids exposure exists as described
below.
Body fluids to which Universal Precautions apply include:
body fluids containing visible bloodcerebrospinal fluid
semen and vaginal secretionspleural fluid
internal tissuespericardial fluid
synovial fluidamniotic fluid
peritoneal fluid
1. Gloves should be worn for touching blood and bodily fluids,
mucous membranes, or non-intact skin of all patients, for
handling items or surfaces soiled with such fluids, and for
performing laboratory procedures, housekeeping tasks
involving potential contact with such fluids, venipuncture
and other invasive procedures. Gloves should be changed
after contact with each patient and hands should be washed.
Masks and protective eyewear or face shields should be
worn during procedures that are likely to generate droplets
of blood or other body fluids to prevent exposure of mucous
membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes. Gowns or aprons
should be worn during procedures that are likely to
generate splashes of blood or other body fluids.
2. Hands and other skin surfaces should be washed immediately
and thoroughly following contact with blood and or other
body fluids/substances. Hands should be washed immediately
after gloves are removed. If a person has a significant
exposure to another person's blood or body fluids which are
potentially infectious (as cited above), follow UHC
guidelines pertaining to blood or bodily fluids.
3. All health-care workers should take precautions to prevent
injuries caused by needles, scalpels, and other sharp
instruments or devices during procedures; when cleaning
used instruments, during disposal of used needles, and when
handling sharp instruments after procedures. To prevent
needlestick injuries, needles should not be recapped,
purposely bent or broken by hand or removed from disposable
syringes. Tubex syringe holders should be avoided as
studies indicate significant increased needlesticks when
using such devices. Needles, scalpel blades, and other
sharp items should be placed in puncture-resistent
containers for disposal.
4. Puncture resistant containers should be located in all
areas where patient care is provided. The method of
disposal for these containers as well as all other
biological hazardous wastes is into labeled hazardous waste
bags and placement into appropriate fiber cartons for
shipping/incineration off campus. These wastes are never to
be disposed of in the general trash disposal system. Areas
such as laboratory have additional disposal requirements.
5. To minimize the need for emergency mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation, mouthpieces, resuscitation bags, or other
ventilation devices should be available for use in areas in
which the need for resuscitation is predictable.
6. Health-care workers who have exudative lesions or weeping
dermatitis should refrain from all direct contact with
patient care without gloves and from handling patient care
equipment without gloves until the condition resolves.
7. Pregnant health-care workers are not known to be at greater
risk of contracting HIV or HBV infection than other health
care workers. Pregnant health-care workers should be
familiar with and strictly adhere to precautions to
minimize the risk of HIV or other blood-borne infections as
should every health-care worker.
B. Protocol for Treatment After an Exposure to Potentially Infected
Blood/Bodily Fluid
1. Indications for Testing
a.
Anyone who has parenteral (needle stick or cut) or mucous
membrane (splash to the eye or mouth) exposure to blood or
other body fluids.
b.
Anyone who has any skin contact involving large amounts of
blood or prolonged contact with blood, especially when the
exposed skin is chapped or abraded.
2. Testing Procedures
a.
Within as short a time as possible after blood exposure
(especially due to the urgency of prompt initiation of drug
therapy) a person should select a physician. The physician,
either a UHC physician, a private physician or Health
Department Physician, will arrange for appropriate medical
treatment, provide or arrange for HIV pretest counseling
and test results, provide medical follow-up and educational
and counseling needs and referrals as indicated.
b.
It is recommended that an exposed person have a voluntary
baseline test for hepatitis and HIV as soon as possible
after an exposure. It normally takes two (2) to twelve
(12) weeks following exposure for the body to produce
antibodies to the HIV sufficient to show up in testing.
Follow-up HIV testing is recommended at three (3), six (6)
and twelve (12) months following a significant exposure.
c.
For Worker's Compensation purposes, it is recommended that
employees obtain a baseline HIV test immediately so that it
is recorded in the event that it becomes necessary to show
proof that HIV or other infection occurred as a result of
job-related exposure. If the test results are negative, the
employee should be retested at appropriate three month
intervals after exposure.
d.
At this time, specimens collected for HIV testing will be
sent to the Maryland State Laboratory for analysis.
e.
Anonymous HIV testing may be done either at the University
Health Center or at Prince Georges's County Health
Department.
3. Recommended Procedures to Follow After Exposure
a.
Wash the exposed area thoroughly with your usual cleansing
agent except eyes or mouth, which should be rinsed
thoroughly with normal saline or water.
b.
Notify the shift supervisor/physician of the incident for
further medical direction (tetanus toxiod, Hyperimmune
globulin or other medication as recommended refer to MDHD
12/90) Hepatitis B vaccine may be initiated at this time.
c.
Inform the person who was the source of contamination, that his/her
being tested for Hepatitis and HIV will be valuable to the person
exposed. In no way should the source person be made to feel harassed or
coerced into being tested.
d.
If the source person and/or the person exposed agree(s) to
testing, the person should:
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Receive pretest counseling covering information on the HIV
and Hepatitis information sheets.
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Sign the HIV consent form.
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Set up an appointment for results and additional
testing/counseling needs.
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Obtain blood test(s) using proper procedure to maintain
requested confidentiality or anonymity. A source person
who refuses to be tested should indicate so on the consent
form and sign the consent form where indicated.
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Complete the following forms:
Health Center Incident Report by the end of the shift.
Supervisor's First Report of Injury within 72 hours.
HIV Testing Info/Consent Form after counseling.
Employees First Report of Injury call Occupational Health.
Note: The Health Center follows the current Department of
Health and Mental Hygiene Management Recommendations After
a Significant Blood/Body Fluid Exposure.
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