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Health Policy for Medical Students
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Health Policy for Medical Students |
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Health care for students and institutional documentation of immunizations and infection surveillance are administered separately at Drexel University College of Medicine. The Student Immunization and Surveillance office is responsible for maintaining the health and immunization records for students in the College of Medicine. The Student Immunization and Surveillance Office is located on the Queen Lane Campus, Room 102 (phone 215-991-8560, fax 215-991-0214). Therapeutic and diagnostic Student Health Services for Drexel University College of Medicine are provided by the Department of Family, Community and Preventive Medicine located near the College of Medicine Campus in the Manayunk area of Philadelphia at 10 Shurs Lane, Suite 203. Student Health Services are also provided at the Drexel Student Health Center located at 3201 Arch Street, Philadelphia on main Drexel Campus.
Health Insurance
All Drexel University students who are enrolled in full-time degree or certificate programs must carry comprehensive health protection meeting minimum specific, benefit standards. To satisfy the health insurance requirement, students may obtain coverage through the University-sponsored group plans or maintain equivalent health insurance through a plan administered elsewhere. For information, contact Eric Soto, Office of Student Accounts at (215) 991-8268.
Students are responsible for any co-payments or the cost of uninsured services. Students may choose to use health care providers in the area other than the Department of Family, Community and Preventive Medicine.
Monitoring and Documentation of Health Policy Requirements:
The
university follows the recommendations of the CDC and the American College
Health Association concerning required immunizations. Students are required
to document immune status with appropriate titers which are obtained through
the students’ health care provider. Students with deficits in either immunizations
or immune status, receive appropriate immunizations and boosters through the
Drexel University Student Health Center (3201 Arch St)or through their primary
care provider. Students may also receive immunization services at NovaCare
Occupational Health Services located at Hahnemann University Hospital, Bobst
Bldg, Rm 131.
Documentation and
Monitoring of compliance with health policy requirements is conducted by the
Student Immunization Surveillance Office. All student health and immunization
records are maintained by the Coordinator of Student Health Records, who communicates
directly with students. Students are notified of any deficit and are directed
to primary care providers or to Drexel University Student Health Center where
they can receive immunizations or obtain titers for proof of immunity.
Students requesting
documentation of immunization/titer records submit a written request to the
Student Immunization Surveillance Office. Records are mailed directly to the
student and not to programs or institutions. It is the responsibility of the
individual student to forward records as needed, and to maintain copies of
records for future need.
Disease Surveillance And Immunization Requirements
Tuberculin Testing
The school of medicine requires annual tuberculin (intradermal) testing for actively enrolled students. All students, including those who have received BCG vaccine, must have a documented intradermal tuberculin test unless a previously positive reaction can be documented, or unless completion of adequate preventive therapy or adequate therapy for active disease can be documented. For students who are studying for the entire third and/or fourth year at the Allegheny General Hospital, testing and documentation may be arranged at that site. Plans for the evaluation and management of medical students with positive tests or of those whose tests become positive during medical school will be made in conjunction with Occupational Health Services. Because of the increasing prevalence of tuberculosis and the appearance of multiple drug resistant strains, students who are not in compliance may be barred from participation in clinical activities at the discretion of the Dean's Office. Should a student develop symptoms suggestive of tuberculosis, a chest radiograph will be required before the student is allowed to resume clinical activities.
Micro-Particulate Respirators
Because of the increasing prevalence of tuberculosis and the appearance of multiple drug resistant strains, some of the hospitals and sites where students train require that the student be fitted for a micro particulate respirator. At this time, these masks are not required at all clinical sites. The student going to a site requiring micro-particulate respirators should make an appointment for fitting with Occupational Health Services.
Immunizations
Hepatitis B
All medical students are required to have been immunized against Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B immunization consists of a series of three injections that should be completed prior to or as soon as possible after matriculation to insure safety at the time of patient contact. Students who are not in compliance may be barred from participation in clinical activities at the discretion of the Dean's Office.
Rubella
Rubella immunity via history or documented vaccine or serologic titer is required before a student will be allowed to participate in clinical activities.
Rubeola
Rubeola immunization is required for all students born after 1957. Students must provide physician documentation of 1) the natural disease, 2) receipt of two (2) doses of vaccine, or 3) serologic evidence of immunity is required before a student will be allowed to participate in clinical activities.
Mumps
Mumps immunization is required. A physician documented history of immunization; disease or documented evidence for immunity must be met is required before a student will be allowed to participate in clinical activities.
Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria
Students should be current in immunization against polio, tetanus and diphtheria is required before a student will be allowed to participate in clinical activities.
Varicella
Students with a history of varicella should have a it documented. Students without a history of varicella must have a titer for varicella antibody determined. Students with a negative titer are recommended to undergo varicella immunization. Non-immune students will not be permitted on some clinical services, for example, rotations at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.
Pertussis (Adult)
Immunization with adult pertussis vaccine is required.
Follow-up for Student Immunization and Disease Surveillance Compliance
Annually, the Coordinator of Student Health Records will notify students who are in non-compliance with immunizations. The Coordinator of Student Health Records will provide the Associate Dean for Student Affairs with a list of students deficient in one or more areas of required infection surveillance or immunization. Students who do not correct deficiencies may be barred from classes and/or clinical activities by being placed on an Administrative Leave of Absence until the deficiency is resolved.
Student Health Care
The Department of Family, Community and Preventive Medicine provides diagnostic and therapeutic student health services. The number for appointments is 215-844-2880. The office is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM. Office hours on Tuesday and Thursday are from 8:30 AM until 8:00 PM. Visits are by appointment only. For urgent problems, students can usually be accommodated on the same day. Student insurance is billed and students are responsible to cover the cost of any co-pay or uninsured services.
Counseling, Psychiatric Evaluation and Treatment
There are several resources for mental health care in the school of medicine and the University. Janet Moore, PsyD, Director of Student Assessment and Enrichment Programs in the School of Medicine, is a trained psychologist, licensed to provide therapy. Students who feel they need more intensive emotional support may receive psychiatric care or referral to another mental health professional through Brenda Butler, M.D. Dr. Butler will provide an initial evaluation at no cost and provide appropriate referral for any recommended ongoing care. In addition to the services offered by Drexel University College of Medicine, group and individual counseling is available through the University Student Counselling Center. (see also Student Services - Center City Campus)
Alcohol and Drug (AOD) Services (see also Policies on Alcohol and Other Drugs)
Alcohol and Substance Impairment
Alcohol and drug abuse is a serious problem among physicians. If a student needs help, or feels that a friend or family member needs help, there are many resources available. They include the professional staff in the Office of Educational Affairs. Vincent Zarro, M.D., Ph.D., certified by the American Society for Addiction Medicine, is available for confidential referral. Other resources include the Pennsylvania Medical Society and Alcoholics Anonymous (Philadelphia number: 215-545-4023.) The University Counseling Center Staff are available to provide assessment and evaluation for students concerned about problem drug or alcohol use. All services provided through the University Counseling Center are free of charge and confidential. Students who recognize a problem in one of their peers are encouraged to reach out a hand and lend support.
Disability Insurance:
Students in the school of medicine are covered by a disability insurance policy provided by funding from student fees. The policy provides disability income insurance, which pays a monthly benefit in the event that a student becomes disabled. The plan is portable after graduation. While in medical school, students are insured under a group insurance policy issued by The United States Life Insurance Company.
Definition of Disability: A student is considered totally disabled if, as a result of injury or sickness, he/she is under the regular care of a physician and unable to fulfill the requirements of a full-time student.
A student will be considered partially disabled if he/she is unable to fulfill the requirements of a full-time student, but is able to perform at least one of the duties of another occupation on a part-time basis, or he/she is performing some, but not all, of the duties of another occupation on a full-time basis.
In either case, the disability must start while the student is insured, and the student must satisfy a waiting period of 180 consecutive days during which he/she is totally or partially disabled.
If a student remains disabled after the waiting period, benefits are payable to age 65, or the period specified in the policy, if the disability starts on or after age sixty (60).
Monthly Benefit Provided:
First and second year students: $1000 per month.
Third and fourth year students: $1500 per month.
The monthly payment will be reduced by benefits the insured received for that same disability from Social Security, Workers’ Compensation or other plans required by law that are intended to replace income, government agencies such as the VA, or other group disability plans purchased for the insured by the University.
If a student is partially disabled, the monthly payment will be reduced by wages he/she receives from an employer as well as benefits from any of the plans mentioned above.
Survivor Benefits
In the event of the insured’s death while receiving disability benefits, a surviving spouse (or dependent children) will receive a lump sum benefit equal to three times the last monthly benefit paid to the insured. In calculating this benefit, there would be no reduction for earnings received while partially disabled.
Exposure to Infectious and Environmental Hazards (see also Exposure Instructions)
Mandatory educational sessions on universal precautions for blood-borne pathogens are provided at the orientations for entering students and for students as they enter the core clinical clerkship year of studies. Information about safety and response to exposure to infectious agents or hazardous substances is presented online during the orientation programming for entering students and at entry into the second and third years of the curriculum. Each student is required to complete a review of the laboratory safety presentation and manual on line and complete the on-line survey for documentation Information is also provided during course orientations for those specific courses in which students may be exposed to infectious agents and/or toxic substances, and in the student manuals for those courses.
Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure (see also Exposure Instructions)
Students who have been exposed to a blood borne pathogen, for example, a needle stick:
There may be some differences in the procedures after exposures to blood borne pathogens at each clinical training site. Students should learn the policy and procedure at each training site. Guidelines for action at the time of exposure are provided. See Exposure Instructions.
HIV Testing
HIV testing is not required. The HIV Testing Policy for health care workers, including students is provided in a manner that protects patient rights and is consistent with other relevant hospital policies and Pennsylvania ACT 148. No student will be tested without his/her consent. Some highlights follow:
HIV Testing of Health Care Workers Who Are University Employees or Students:
Health care workers who are employees or students of the University who need to be tested will be referred to Hahnemann University Hospital Occupational Health Services during regular work hours or the Emergency Center after hours and on weekends or holidays.. The student will be assigned a random code number from a list of code numbers that will be kept in a locked file in Employee/Student Health. The confidential code will be listed on the health care worker consent form, which will be kept in the student/Health care worker’s record. The student/health care worker will have his/her blood drawn in Employee/Student Health and the sample will be delivered from Employee/Student Health directly to the lab for processing. The confidential code will be used in place of the health care worker’s name in registration, test ordering, specimen labeling and results reporting.
Test Results
To provide confidentiality, written test results will be mailed (in an envelope marked "confidential") or given in person to the ordering health care provider. Results will not be given verbally, by phone or by fax.
The HIV test results of exposed health care workers who are employees or students of the University who have been assigned a random code will be returned to Employee/Student Health, who will decipher the random code, assign the appropriate name to the result and record the result in the health care worker medical record.
The physician who ordered the test or his/her representative will inform the tested individual of the test result face-to-face, whether positive or negative, and provide post-test counseling. If the tested individual is to be discharged from the hospital before test results are available, this individual must be given a follow-up appointment with his/her primary physician or designee in the appropriate out patient setting for receipt of this information.
updated 02/08/08