Standard Precautions
Definition: Standard precautions are the minimum safety and infection prevention practices that apply to all patient care, laboratory or technical skills training experiences in any setting where healthcare or healthcare training is delivered. These practices are designed to protect healthcare professionals (HCP) and prevent HCP from spreading infections to others. Students will be instructed in Standard Precautions early in the program during orientation and throughout the didactic phase of the program.
Standard Precautions include:
- Hand hygiene
- Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Safe injection practices
- Safe handling of potentially contaminated surfaces or equipment
- Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette
Compliance with all safety practices is a not just good procedure – it is a mark of your professionalism. Persistent failure to observe and practice Standard Precautions may result in adverse/disciplinary action for unprofessional behavior and referral to the Progress and Promotion Committee.
Students will be required to complete any clinical site-specific safety or security training requirements in preparation for supervised clinical practice rotations.
Student Safety During SCPEs
UMES PA program will ensure that appropriate OSHA training is provided to students prior to SCPEs. The facility at which the SCPE takes place shall provide to UMES PA students access to the facility’s rules, regulations, policies and procedures with which the UMES PA students are expected to comply, including, the Facility’s OSHA, personal and workplace security and personal safety policies and procedures and shall address all appropriate safety measures for all UMES PA students and any UMES PA instructors on site. It will be the preceptor’s responsibility to take reasonable steps to ensure personal safety and security of students during the SCPE. This is clearly communicated to preceptors and agreed upon in a signed Preceptor Agreement obtained prior to the SCPEs.
Liability Insurance
UMES PA students are covered under the state’s liability insurance throughout enrollment in the Program. Student name and social security number must be submitted to ensure coverage. Proof of insurance will be provided to clinical sites where students are assigned. Coverage will be in effect for Program-assigned clinical rotations and experiences, but will not be in effect for students working in a clinical setting not affiliated with the Program, such as that occurring during outside employment or in the case of volunteer work either during the academic year or during a break, unless it is Program-assigned. Students are also required to purchase or arrange a private malpractice policy. Information on a free policy can be found at Physician Assistant Liability Insurance – PA Liability Insurance Coverage Options (cmfgroup.com).
Latex Allergy Policy
Latex products are extremely common in the medical environment. Students with a history of latex allergy are at risk for future severe reactions upon exposure to latex products. Although students with localized contact irritant dermatitis can be accommodated, those with a history of generalized reactions or true anaphylaxis need clearance from an allergist and may need to carry an Epi-pen.
Any student with a known latex allergy, or having or describing symptoms consistent with latex allergy, is advised to consult a qualified allergist for evaluation. Such evaluation is at the student’s expense. Any student found to be latex allergic must determine whether or not to continue with PA training, acknowledging the risk of becoming ill even if after reasonable precautions are taken and accommodations are made.
If such a student elects to continue in training, the student must realize that he/she assumes any responsibility and risk posed by allergic reactions, which can range from mild symptoms to anaphylaxis and death. In the event such an allergy is present, either intentional or inadvertent exposure to latex and related products may lead to these consequences. Although the Program will do all it can to provide latex-free gloves during laboratory session, it cannot guarantee a latex-free environment because other students may not be using latex-free gloves and other materials. Furthermore, we cannot guarantee a latex-free environment at every clinical training site.
If a student chooses to proceed with training in the face of significant risk, the student will be required to sign a waiver stating that he or she understands the risk. This waiver will be forwarded to each of the student’s clinical sites.
Program as Healthcare Providers Policy
The Program Director, Assistant Program Director, Medical Director, Didactic Education Director, Clinical Education Director, Principal faculty and/or Instructional faculty are prohibited from participating as health care providers for students in the Program, except in an emergency situation.
