CM-8 Procedure on AIDS (HIV) and Hepatitis Virus (HBV)
PROCEDURE ON AIDS (HIV) AND HEPATITIS (HBV)
HIV/HBV INFECTED INDIVIDUALS
It is a policy of LSUHSC to encourage preventive and early care for faculty, staff, employees and
trainees with HIV/HBV. These individuals are encouraged to seek regular medical care in keeping with
current standards from their private physician, or, if unavailable, to access these services through
Student Health, Comprehensive Health Clinics or the Employee Assistance Program for initial evaluation
and referral.
LSUHSC will not discriminate against blood-borne infected persons in employment, education, and the
use of public facilities. Discrimination against persons with disabilities is prohibited in accordance
with Section 504 of the 1973 Vocational Rehabilitation Act, and the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act.
Individuals have access to intra-institutional channels through the Office of Human Resource
Management to appeal and obtain redress of allegedly discriminatory policies, procedures, or
administrative actions.
Objective
The objectives of the LSUHSC HIV/HBV policy are as follows:
- To provide guidelines for a safe patient care environment;
- To protect the personal rights of HIV/HBV infected individuals, including the right to freedom from
unwarranted disparate treatment and improper handling of private information;
- To provide information, education, and counseling that promotes the personal and professional well
being of students, trainees, faculty and employees;
- To provide for the implementation of laws of regulations pertaining to public health and welfare,
and employment practices.
This policy has been developed with guidance from various national organizations and academic health
care institutions. Portions of the following documents have been incorporated into this policy: AAMC
Policy Guidelines for Addressing HIV Infection in the Academic Medical Community (AAMC 1988), Morbidity
and Mortality Weekly Report (MMRW, Vol.40, No.RR-8, July 12, 1991), and the Consensus Statement by the
Workgroup on HIV/HBV Transmission in the Health Care Setting (Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals,
September 12, 1991).
It should be considered flexible and subject to updates as new and additional knowledge is acquired.
DEFINITIONS
- Healthcare Workers (HCWs) - students of the Health Sciences Center and faculty/staff of
LSUHSC.
- LSUHSC - Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport.
- Blood-borne Disease - infections known to be transmitted by blood, including such organisms
as Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
- Invasive Procedures - as defined by the American Medical Association, Association of
American Medical Colleges, American Dental Association, Association of American Dental
Schools, American Nursing Association, and the Center for Disease Control as they relate to
the specific discipline.
- Exposure-prone Procedure - certain invasive surgical or dental procedures already
implicated in the transmission of HBV from infected HCW's to patients. Examples include certain oral,
cardiothoracic, colorectal and obstetric/gynecologic procedures. Characteristics of exposure-prone
procedures include digital palpation of a needle tip in a body cavity or the simultaneous presence
of the HCW's fingers and a needle or other sharp instrument or object in a poorly visualized or highly
confined anatomic site. Performance of exposure-prone procedures presents a recognized risk of
percutaneous injury to the HCW and if such an injury occurs, the HCW's blood is likely to contaminate
the patient's body cavity, subcutaneous tissues and/or mucous membranes.
- Universal Precautions - recommended guidelines written by LSUHSC in the LSUHSC Universal
Precautions Policy for HBV and HIV.
- Documented Occupational Exposures - where either the HCW has contact with a patient's
blood/body fluids or where the patient had contact with HCW's blood/body fluids. The incident is
documented by completing a "First Report of Injury" form.
APPENDIX
Signed: John C. McDonald, M.D. Chancellor
June 1, 2001
PROCEDURE ON AIDS (HIV) AND HEPATITIS (HBV)
