Clinical Setting Policies and Procedures

Health/Illness/Injury Incident Policy

(Refer to university policy)

PURPOSE:

The University of Massachusetts (UMass) Amherst Elaine Marieb College of Nursing is committed to maintaining a safe, healthy and productive environment. This policy informs faculty, staff and students of the steps to follow to insure the immediate care of the student in the event of a health incident.

I. POLICY STATEMENT:

Any health/illness/injury incident, that occurs to a student in any teaching environment within the college or its affiliated clinical agencies must be documented and reported by the faculty member and student. All students must provide the college with emergency contact numbers during orientation, including a local number in case they require transportation from the college or clinical facility. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure a safe transportation alternative. The UHS website http://www.umass.edu/uhs/ mentions two transportation options that may be helpful. The UHS Shuttle offers free rides from any on-campus location to UHS (call 413- 577-7425). If the student is referred by the healthcare provider to off-campus services, then HealthRide is an option (email a voucher request to https://www.umass.edu/uhs/accesstocare/rides/healthride or another mode of transportation of the student’s choice.

II.  PROCEDURE:

A. On Campus

1. If the incident is an emergency, call 911. This will trigger EMS. If the incident is not an emergency, call the UMass Police Department at 413-545-2121. If the individual is in need of mental health services, call the Center for Counseling and Psychological Health at 413-545- 2337.

2. Notify the Dean’s office at 413-545-5093 or the Executive Associate Dean for Academics, Research and Engagement office at 413-545-9576 and report the location and nature of the incident as well as the faculty, staff or student’s name.

3. If necessary, the student’s emergency contact will be notified by the Office of the Dean or the Office of the Executive Associate Dean for Academics, Research and Engagement.

4. The student may be referred to University Health Services or the student’s healthcare provider

5. of choice. The student is responsible for all healthcare costs for her/himself incurred in treatment of said injury, both immediate care and any necessary follow-up care. The College is not financially responsible for any costs incurred by the student.

6. The faculty or staff member and student will complete the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing Health Incident Report Form within one business day (see Appendix F). This form includes a clear statement of the incident that occurred, who was involved, action that was taken, and any plan for follow-up. The description should be factual in nature and free of interpretation and impressions. If a student is unavailable to sign the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing Health Incident Report Form within one business day, the Nursing faculty member should indicate this on the form and obtain the student’s signature as soon as possible. The form must be submitted to the office of the Executive Associate Dean for Academics, Research and Engagement who will oversee any investigation or remediation necessary.

7. If warranted, the student must provide documentation from a healthcare provider stating that she/he can return to clinical without restrictions.

B. Off Campus

1. If the incident is in a clinical facility, the policies and procedures set forth by that site must be followed. Neither the faculty nor the CON is responsible for the cost of any treatment involved in the student’s care.

2. The faculty member will notify the office of the Executive Associate Dean for Academics, Research and Engagement at 413-545-9576 as appropriate and report the location and nature of the incident as well as the student’s name and contact information.

3. If necessary, the student’s emergency contact will be notified by the Office of the Dean or Office of the Executive Associate Dean for Academics, Research and Engagement.

4. The student may receive appropriate and necessary care at an acute facility emergency department, employee health office or be referred to University Health Services or the student’s healthcare provider of choice. The student is responsible for all healthcare costs for her/himself incurred in treatment of said injury, both immediate care and any necessary follow-up care. The College and clinical facility are not financially responsible for any costs incurred by the student.

5. The faculty member and student will complete the College of Nursing Health Incident Report Form within one business day, which includes a clear statement of the incident that

occurred, who was involved, action that was taken, and any plan for follow-up. The description should be factual in nature and free of interpretation and impressions. If a student is unavailable to sign the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing Health Incident Report Form within one business day, the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing faculty should indicate this on the form and obtain the student’s signature as soon as possible. The form must be submitted to the office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs who will oversee any investigation or remediation necessary.

6. If warranted, the student must provide documentation from a healthcare provider stating that she/he can return to clinical without restrictions.