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> Bloodborne Pathogens Policy
Bloodborne Pathogens Policy
Bloodborne Pathogens Policy
New York University College of Dentistry is committed to addressing
issues related to bloodborne pathogens, such as Human Immunodeficiency
Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), in
a spirit of cooperation, compassion, flexibility, and sensitivity to
individual needs as well as to community welfare. The purpose of this
policy is to minimize the risk of transmission of a bloodborne pathogen
from an infected health care worker or student to a patient. Under New
York State regulations, a licensed health care institution is responsible
for ensuring that its health care workers do not have any physical impairments
resulting from infection by bloodborne pathogens that would interfere
with the performance of their clinical responsibilities or create a
health risk for patients.
The College of Dentistry recognizes that knowledge and information
about bloodborne pathogens continues to change. This policy, therefore,
will be reviewed by the New York University College of Dentistry Bloodborne
Pathogens Policy Committee annually, and changes will be recommended
as appropriate.
Admissions and Employment:
Discrimination against employees, students, and applicants for admission
or employment based solely on health status is unlawful.
Infection Control Procedures:
All health care workers and students are required to follow 'Universal
Precautions', which is the basis of the practices and procedures set
forth in the College of Dentistry's Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control
Program (available on file).
HBV Immunization:
Immunization for HBV is available and is recommended for all College
of Dentistry employees and is mandatory for all students.
HIV Testing:
Testing of health care workers and students for HIV is not required
by the College of Dentistry. However, health care workers and students
who perform invasive or exposure-prone procedures on patients are encouraged
to be tested voluntarily in order to know their HIV status.
Obligation to Report:
A health care worker or student, who is infected with HIV, HBV, HCV
or another bloodborne pathogen, is encouraged to report his/her status
to the College of Dentistry's Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs or
his designee. A health care worker or a student, who is infected with
HIV, HBV, HCV or another bloodborne pathogen, is not required to inform
patients.
Confidentiality:
All information concerning the health status of a health care worker
or student infected by a bloodborne pathogen shall be disclosed only
in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations,
including Article 27-f of the New York State Public Health Law and its
regulations concerning HIV and AIDS-related Information.
Limitation of Activity:
Each health care worker or student infected with HIV or another bloodborne
pathogen shall have his/her clinical practices evaluated by a panel
established by the College of Dentistry. The evaluation shall be confidential.
At the request of the student or health care worker, the evaluation
will be completed anonymously based on information presented to the
panel by the Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs or his designee. The
panel will provide timely advice and consultation concerning the student
or health care worker's clinical practices. The panel may recommend
practice limitations or modifications where evidence suggests that there
is a significant risk to the health of a patient or to the health of
the infected health care worker or student. The panel's determinations
may take into account the nature of the clinical activity, the technical
expertise of the infected individual, the risk of transmission, and
the infected individual's impairments. Recommendations by the panel
shall be based on criteria established by the New York State Department
of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The panel
will continue to periodically review the practices of any health care
worker or student who has been evaluated by the panel.
In completing its evaluation of an infected health care worker or
student, the panel shall include or consult with the following:
- a public health professional
- an infectious disease expert
- an infection control expert
- the individual's private physician
- a dentist with expertise in the procedures (to be) engaged in by
the infected student or employee
- a dental student (if a student is the subject of evaluation)
- a New York University or College of Dentistry administrator
Enforcement of Practice Limitations or Modifications:
Any student or health care worker who engages in unsafe and/or careless
clinical practices, which create risks to the health of patients, employees,
or students at the College of Dentistry, shall be subject to disciplinary
action under the rules of the University and the College of Dentistry.
When such actions are brought to the attention of the College of Dentistry
administration, the student or health care worker may be suspended immediately
from all patient care activities pending a full investigation of the
matter. Other sanctions may be imposed by state licensing agencies.
Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens:
Health care workers or students who are exposed to a bloodborne pathogen
in the course of their work at the College of Dentistry are expected
to follow the procedures set forth in the College of Dentistry's Bloodborne
Pathogen Exposure Control Program.
Patients who have been exposed to bloodborne pathogens while being
treated at the clinic shall be offered free counseling and testing.
Results from such testing shall be disclosed only in accordance with
applicable federal and state laws.
Reviewed and Updated, October 2004
Office of Clinical Affairs
New York University College of Dentistry
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