Specific Protocols for Program Areas

Protocols for: On-Campus Skills Labs and Clinical Experiences

This page will provide information for specific experiential learning opportunities. It will be updated as additional protocols are established by various colleges and departments.

  • College of Podiatric Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Applied and Technical Studies protocols and scenarios include:
On-Campus Labs
  1. Students, faculty and staff will wear a University-approved face covering while in the classroom/campus lab setting.
  2. Students, faculty, and staff must wash their hands or use hand sanitizer upon entering and exiting the lab and as appropriate while in the lab.
  3. No food or drink are allowed in laboratory setting.
  4. Labs should be clear of clutter. Supplies that are not being used should be placed in storage (as much as possible).
  5. Physical distancing should be practiced as much as possible.
  6. The number of students in the lab at one time will vary depending on the size of the lab. See recommendations from facilities managers for occupancy rates specific to your buildings/classrooms/labs).
  7.  Standardized patients may be used but must be screened upon entering the building. “Patients” must wear a face covering. 
  8. Students should supply their own stethoscopes, BP cuffs, or other faculty designated supplies.  Students will sanitize their own personal equipment upon completion of laboratory activities.
  9. While learning/practicing procedures in the lab, students will wear a University-approved face covering.       N-95 masks are not required.
  10. University-approved face covering, and face shields will be worn when there is a potential risk of splashing during a skill.
  11. The lab and any equipment will be sanitized by faculty/staff between student groups using approved cleaning agents. Gloves, University-approved face covering, and face shield will be worn when using cleaning agents.  Basic mannequins should be wiped with soap and water solution and then disinfected with 70% isopropyl alcohol and allowed to dry.
  12. Linen should be kept to a minimum. All linen will be changed at the end of the day and laundered.
  13. When the laboratory session has concluded, students should gather their other belongings and exit the lab.
  14. If a student or standardized patient develops signs and symptoms of illness (see #1), they must report this to their local health department for contact tracing purposes.
Simulation Labs
  1. Simulators should be cleaned according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
  2. Society for Simulation in Health Care https://www.ssih.org/ can be utilized as a resource.
Clinical Experiences
  1. Proper handwashing is critical.
  2. While caring for patients, students and faculty will follow the facility’s protocol.
  3. Students and faculty should minimize bringing personal items to the clinical site.
  4. Students must be provided PPE required by placement sites.  Programs are responsible for ensuring students have the PPE and appropriate training they need.  Students may receive PPE through their learning site or in other cases, the college may need to provide supplies. 
  5. If required, cloth face covering should be washed after each use.
  6. One disposable face covering should be used per day.  The disposable face covering should be removed and discarded if soiled or damaged.
  7. If required, reusable eye protection/face shields must be cleaned and disinfected prior to and after each use. 
  8. N-95 filter masks are not required unless required by the facility.  N-95 fit testing and proper use training will be required prior to N-95 use. 
  9. Students, faculty, and staff should be thoroughly familiar with Donning PPE and Doffing PPE and its appropriate use as well as cleaning/decontamination of PPE.
  10. Students may be assigned to patients in isolation.
  11. Students may be assigned to active COVID 19 positive patients.
  12. Students may be assigned to patients on ventilators.
  13. Faculty/clinical coordinators will make regular contact with the clinical sites to assure protocols are being followed.
  14. At the end of the clinical experience stethoscopes, pen lights, and other personal items will be cleaned.

Even after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination, students must continue to wear appropriate PPE.

References:

- Belk, W., Shablak, D. (Host). (2020, April 10). Cleaning and Disinfecting with special guest Nick Brauer [Audio podcast episode]. In SimGeeks. https://simgeekspodcast.podbean.com/

CDC Considerations for Higher Education: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/colleges-universities/consid...

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