MANAGEMENT OF BLOOD-BORNE DISEASES

Background

Students and employees infected with blood-borne diseases will be attending schools in increasing numbers in the years to come.  It is important that District staff and parents understand that students and employees infected with these diseases do not pose a risk for others when basic hygiene procedures (Standard Precautions) are followed.

• There is no medical evidence to indicate that it is unsafe for a person with a blood-borne disease to attend school or work in a school
• Individuals with a blood-borne disease have a right to confidentiality and do not have to disclose that they have a blood-borne disease
• School staff have a responsibility to maintain confidentiality
• The Superintendent shall seek advice from the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) Medical Health officer to determine who has the right to know this information.

The District recognizes its responsibility to ensure the fair and compassionate management of students and employees infected with the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV), with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or with the Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C virus (HBV/HCV).

The District acknowledges its obligation to provide a safe school environment for all students and staff.  The District also recognizes that the student or employee with HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis requires support from an informed school and health community which has access to accurate, up-to-date information.  The purpose of this Administrative Procedure is to:

• Prevent uncertainty and fear
• Protect infected students and employees from discrimination
• Safeguard the right to privacy and confidentiality
• Facilitate the successful inclusion of students and staff with blood-borne diseases in the school system

The District will work in partnership with the employee, the student’s family, the School Medical Officer and other community resource personnel to support these individuals and to ensure the health and safety of the school community.

Definitions

AIDS - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is the result of a viral infection (HIV) that destroys the body’s natural defenses against many diseases.

Blood-borne diseases can be transmitted through blood and blood products (including AIDS, HIV, Hepatitis).  HIV is also transmitted through body fluids (including semen, vaginal secretions and sharing of contaminated needles).

Exposure is defined as contact with blood or blood contaminated body fluids through the broken skin or mucous membrane.

HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus that can cause AIDS.

Hepatitis - Infectious hepatitis is an acute inflammation of the liver caused by a virus.

Standard Precautions are recognized hygienic procedures to prevent the transmission of blood-borne diseases.

Staff are employees of the District.

School Medical Health Officer - is the Medical Health Officer for the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA)

Volunteer, as defined by the School Protection Program.

Procedures

1. Guiding Principles
   1. To provide for fair and compassionate management of students and employees infected with blood-borne diseases
   2. To provide blood-borne disease information to employees
   3. To promote a partnership between the students, parents, the District, public health system and community agencies in supporting students and employees infected with blood-borne diseases
   4. To promote a safe school environment for all students, employees and volunteers
2. Responsibilities
   1. Statistics indicate that in the District population there will be students and staff with blood-borne diseases.It is important to promote the use of Standard Precautions as outlined in Administrative Procedure 161 Appendix.
   2. It is the responsibility of the Principal in consultation with the Health and Safety Supervisor to ensure that all school staff be cognizant of and practice Standard Precautions when in contact with blood and body fluids.
3. Protocol Procedure in the Event of an Exposure
   If a worker has been stuck by a needle or has come in contact with blood/body fluids, the steps to be followed are:

    

   1. Wash wound immediately with soap and warm water
   2. Do not squeeze cut/wound
   3. Go to Emergency
   4. Report to Health and Safety Supervisor
   5. Complete Incident Report (Form 161-1) according to District guidelines
4. Protocol Procedure in the Event of a Disclosure
   1. Subject to clauses 4.1.1 and 4.1.2 below, the identity of a student or employee infected with a blood-borne disease shall remain strictly confidential.If confidentiality is not respected, legal liability may be incurred by the individual and the District.
      Disclosure will occur only where:
      1. The parent of the infected student or the employee has consented in writing to the disclosure of the information.In the written consent, the employee or parent will identify those individuals to whom this information may be provided by the District; or
      2. The Superintendent and Medical Health Officer, in consultation with the employee or parent, determine that the disclosure of the identity of the student or employee is necessary for the performance of the duties of an employee of the District, or for the protection of the health or safety of an employee of the District, or other individual.The decision to inform others in these circumstances is most often required when the employee’s or student’s health status requires consideration of alternative employment or educational arrangements.
5. Staff and Students’ Rights
   1. Students have the right to attend regular class and not to be excluded from school.
   2. If a student’s behaviour poses a safety risk to other students and staff, the Principal will request that the school Medical Health Officer conduct an assessment of the student to determine whether or not exclusion is necessary.
   3. Staff and students with a blood-borne disease have the right to be free from discrimination.
6. Obligation to Report
   1. The Canada Health Act requires that a person who knows or suspects that another person is suffering from a communicable disease (i.e., HIV) is legally obligated to report this to the VIHA Medical Health Officer.
7. Resource Materials
   1. Further information is available from the Health and Safety Supervisor to assist school staff with definitions and procedures to alleviate concerns with respect to blood-borne diseases.
   2. Information is also available from:
      1. BC Health Files
      2. B.C. Nurse Line – 24 hour line operated by registered nurses – 1-866-215-4700