Medical Student Handbook

Medical Student Education

Protective Barrier Precautions

Policy 670.50

Policy Statement

1. Appropriate protective barrier precautions must be used routinely to prevent skin and mucous membrane exposure when contact with blood or body secretions is anticipated.
   1. Gloves are indicated when contact with blood or body fluids, mucous membranes or non-intact skin is anticipated, for vascular access procedures, and for touching contaminated articles.
   2. Gowns or plastic aprons are indicated if soiling of clothing with blood or body secretions is likely.
   3. Masks and protective eyewear are indicated if splashing is likely.
2. Hands and other skin surfaces must be washed immediately and thoroughly, if contaminated with blood or body secretions. Hands must be washed immediately following any patient contact and after gloves are removed.
3. Disposable gloves should be available in all examination rooms, patient rooms and procedure rooms.
4. Protective eyewear, masks, and impervious gowns should be available for each clinical encounter where indicated. If, for any reason, protective equipment is not available for students, they must refrain from engaging in that clinical encounter.

Applicability of the Policy

All Medical Students

Related Larner College of Medicine Policies

• 670.00 Preventing Transmission of Infection in Clinical Settings and Instructions for Management of Exposure to Blood-borne Pathogens
• 670.10 Immunizations and Other Health Information
• 670.15 Infection Control Training
• 670.20 Tuberculosis Screening
• 670.30 Hand-washing
• 670.35 Students with Known Blood-borne Infections
• 670.45 Universal Precautions
• 670.55 Care and Disposal of Sharps
• 670.60 Clean-up of Spills
• 670.70 Reporting of Student Exposures and Injury-related Incidents
• 690.10 Fitness Committee Procedure and Review of Professional Performance
• 830.00 Health Insurance

Related University of Vermont Policies

• 5.2.4 Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control
• UOP28 Communicable Disease
• 5.17.3 Laboratory Health and Safety
• 5.19.2 Minors in Laboratories

Related Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) Standard(s)

12.8 Student Exposure Policies/Procedures

History

• 5/20/2014 Policy Adopted/Affirmed [Medical Curriculum Committee]
• 3/17/2020 Reformatted [Medical Curriculum Committee]
• 4/26/2022 Policy Edit [Medical Curriculum Committee]
• 2/21/2023 Policy Revised [Medical Curriculum Committee]
• 12/19/2023 [Medical Curriculum Committee]
• 12/17/2024 Policy Edit [Medical Curriculum Committee]

Policy Oversight

Associate/Assistant Dean for Students

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