SOP HANDBOOK

AUHS SCHOOL OF PHARMACY POLICY ON HIV/AIDS AND OTHER BLOOD BORNE DISEASES

DEFINITIONS

HIV/AIDS
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a condition in which the body’s ability to defend itself against a variety of diseases is seriously reduced. This condition apparently is caused by a virus known most commonly as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). As yet, there is no known cure for AIDS.

HIV POSITIVE
When a person is infected with HIV, his or her immune system responds by producing antibodies against the virus. Antibodies can be detected by a laboratory test, though symptoms of illness may not be present. Antibodies generally develop within three (3) to twelve (12) weeks after exposure but may take as long as fourteen (14) months. Such an infection apparently cannot be reversed and may develop into AIDS.

PRINCIPLES UNDERLYING THE AUHS SCHOOL OF PHARMACY POLICY

  1. A primary objective of the AUHS School of Pharmacy HIV/AIDS policy is education for the prevention of any acquisition or transmission of HIV/AIDS.
  2. AUHS School of Pharmacy shall respond to any known case of HIV/AIDS as it would to any other life-threatening, contagious disease. At no time will the University discriminate against any persons because they are infected by HIV.
  3. AUHS School of Pharmacy personnel will act to combat fear, prejudice, discrimination, irrationality, paranoia, and/or hysteria commonly associated with HIV/AIDS.

POLICY ON HIV/AIDS AND OTHER BLOODBORNE DISEASES

  1. Responsibility for ongoing, educational programming on HIV/AIDS shall be assigned to the faculty and the Dean. Such educational programming shall be directed to all members of the AUHS School of Pharmacy community, including administrators, faculty, staff, and students.
  2. AUHS School of Pharmacy shall attempt to conform to all local, state, and federal laws and the Center for Disease Control guidelines.
  3. AUHS School of Pharmacy allows persons who are HIV-positive to remain on campus, but they must not engage in or endorse life-style practices which might pose a direct threat of transmitting the virus to others.
  4. AUHS School of Pharmacy will not undertake program screening to identify persons infected with HIV unless required to do so by law. Students and University employees desiring HIV testing are directed to seek assistance from their personal physicians or the public health departments.
  5. It is expected that all health care professional adheres to medically determined policies regarding the safe disposal of hypodermic needles, blood, and other bodily fluids. Adherence to these same precautions will be practiced in laboratory courses and whenever members of the AUHS School of Pharmacy community, including administrators, faculty, staff, and students encounter bodily fluids.
  6. AUHS School of Pharmacy employees will protect the confidentiality of any person who tests HIV positive, as mandated by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.
  7. Students and University employees involved in extra-curricular activities and/or activities, which place them at risk, shall take appropriate, precautionary measures to reduce risk to themselves or others.
  8. Due to the inherent risks of laboratory and pharmacy-clinical facilities, students are required to take appropriate precautionary measures in dealing with the blood and body fluids, handling of needles, and any laboratory or hospital equipment that may pose a threat to themselves or to other persons. In the event of an incident involving the risk of HIV or Hepatitis transmission, the student or University employee has an ethical duty to immediately report the incident to a designated University official. The Student Statement Regarding Hepatitis B, HIV, and other Infectious Diseases can be found in the appendix.
    Additional information on HIV/AIDS can be obtained from the Center for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov).

PROCEDURAL ADDENDUM TO AUHS SCHOOL OF PHARMACY’S HIV/ AIDS POLICY

In addition to the University HIV/ AIDS Policy, the following statement apply to pharmacy students and faculty in the School of Pharmacy in relation to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Hepatitis D Virus (HDV), and Hepatitis G Virus (HGV) since health care activities may put an individual at higher risk for these diseases.

  1. No individual shall be denied an opportunity for admission into the pharmacy program or employment in connection with the pharmacy program because that individual is infected with a dangerous communicable disease such as HIV, AIDS, HBV, HCV, HDV, or HGV, as long as (a) AUHS School of Pharmacy is able to make reasonable accommodations for the individual and (b) the disease does not create a direct threat, as both of the underlined terms are defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  2. Students and faculty should be aware that as novice practitioners with limited skills in practice settings, students may have a greater risk of unintended puncture with sharp medical instruments and are at a greater risk of exposure to HIV, AIDS, or Hepatitis.
  3. No pharmacy student or faculty may ethically refuse to treat a patient solely because the patient is at risk of contracting, or has contracted, an infectious disease such as HIV, AIDS, or Hepatitis.
  4. Pharmacy students and faculty must follow professional guidelines as well as guidelines of the health care agency relative to confidentially concerning the patient with HIV, AIDS, or Hepatitis.
  5. In order to reduce the possibility of exposure to Hepatitis B Virus, pharmacy students and faculty will follow the policies in effect for the AUHS School of Pharmacy.
  6. Students and faculty who are exposed to HIV, AIDS, or Hepatitis as a result of exposure to blood and body fluids such as a needle stick or other injury have the responsibility to notify their faculty or supervisor in the School of Pharmacy immediately after the occurrence and to follow post-exposure instructions under the guidance of their health care provider. Information on post-exposure prophylaxis may also be obtained from the Center for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov). Exposure should be considered an urgent medical concern in order to ensure timely post- exposure management. The student will be excused from clinical for the day in order to seek treatment as indicated.
    a. Before starting the practice experience rotation, pharmacy students are required to present verification that immunization for the Hepatitis B series has been started. Documentation that the series has been completed needs to be provided according to the appropriate time frame in order to continue in the clinical courses.
    b. Pharmacy faculty, who provide clinical supervision to students, will supply documentation of vaccination, immunity.
  7. Students are required to be tested for HIV when they are exposed to the patient’s blood. Positive test results should be communicated to the health care agency and the agency procedure followed.

POST-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS INSTRUCTIONS

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Surveillance Guidelines: Due to the circumstances and possible exposure to HIV, HBV, and HCV, a student enrolled in the nursing program is considered as being at risk for these viruses given the amount of clinical learning the student will be engaged in. While it is not anticipated that any students will acquire any of these illnesses, any student deemed to be exposed to any of these illnesses will need to be under surveillance for six months from the date of exposure. During the surveillance period, there are certain precautions that AUHS School of Pharmacy, the Center for Disease Control, and the World Health Organization recommend that the student practice to protect his/her-self and others.

  1. Each student is responsible for contacting his/her health care provider within two (2) to four (4) hours of exposure to discuss and arrange for the appropriate testing and post- exposure prophylaxis.
  2. If a student has not been vaccinated against Hepatitis B, he/she should start the series of vaccinations immediately.
  3. If a student was previously vaccinated for Hepatitis B and his/her blood test demonstrates adequate concentrations of HBs antibodies, he/she will be considered protected against the Hepatitis B virus. If they are shown to be lower than the required levels, the student should receive a Hepatitis B vaccine booster.
  4. For exposure to HIV, at student should have blood test done for HIV antibodies at a) time of exposure, b) four (4) to six (6) weeks after exposure, c) three (3) months following exposure, and d) 6 months (6) or as recommended by his/her health care provider. The student should also follow his/her health care provider’s recommendation for testing for Hepatitis B and C.
  5. If a student is exposed to the HIV virus, he/she should use condom protection whenever engaging in sexual intercourse and should take precautions to prevent pregnancy from occurring while under HIV surveillance.
  6. If a student has been exposed to any of the above named illnesses, he/she should temporarily remove themselves from being an organ donor, as indicated on the back of his/her driver’s license and refrain from donating blood until there is no longer any suspicion of infection.
  7. If a student is exposed to HIV, he/she should notify his/her health care provider and dentist that he/she is under the HIV surveillance program.
  8. Each student should be constantly diligent about practicing Universal Precautions as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control.
  9. A student entering any surveillance program for any of the above-mentioned illnesses should discuss the matter with his/her spouse or significant other.