Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine (NSU MD) 2024–2025 165 diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic care for medical students who sustain needlestick injuries and/ or other exposures. Regardless of where the exposure occurs, NSU MD provides (and requires of all its affiliated clinical care sites) a system in which all medical students must report all accidental exposures to blood and other potentially hazardous biological fluids that occur including, but not limited to, accidental needlestick injuries. This process is necessary for the following reasons: • to quickly evaluate the risk of infection • to inform the exposed student about treatments available to help prevent infection • to monitor for side effects of treatments • to determine if infection subsequently occurs This process initially involves the immediate provision of appropriate first aid, including ample washing of the exposed area that was punctured by the needle, or otherwise exposed, with soap and water. The subsequent steps are determined based on whether the exposure occurred at an NSU laboratory or clinical setting on an NSU campus, or if the exposure occurred at an NSU affiliate hospital or clinical setting not located on an NSU campus and not owned nor operated by NSU. Confidentiality and Testing As with any blood-borne exposure, appropriate documentation is necessary. The affiliated clinical site and NSU MD require that a formal report of the exposure incident or unusual occurrence be filed. The student will need to complete the NSU Medical Student Exposure Incident Form as discussed above. NSU MD shall respect the confidentiality of individuals with blood-borne or airborne pathogens to the extent permitted by state and federal law. Students and personnel will not be tested for HIV without their knowledge or consent, except that in certain circumstances testing may be a condition of employment or may be required by occupational exposure incident protocols. In cases of nonoccupational exposure, confidential testing is available through NSU Student Medical Center, the student’s private health insurance plan, or the Broward County Health Department. Students with Blood-Borne and Airborne Infections Acquisition of infection from patients and staff members, particularly due to respiratory pathogens, is a frequent and avoidable event. To help protect students from this risk of nosocomial-acquired infection, NSU MD has implemented an educational program on respiratory pathogens. Students are taught about blood-borne and respiratory pathogens and protection guidelines during their first week of orientation. A second presentation on blood-borne and respiratory pathogens and guidelines for prevention is given preceding the beginning of clinical rotations in the third year. In addition, all thirdyear medical students undergo N95 respirator fit testing before the beginning of clinical rotations. Instruction on the technique of using this personal protective equipment is taught. Participation in Clinical Care Activities Students infected with blood-borne or other pathogens shall not, solely because of such infection, be excluded from participation in any phase of medical school life, including educational opportunities,
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