The district recognizes that some employees with a communicable disease, as defined by law, may be able to attend to their customary employment duties without creating a risk of transmission of the illness to the students or other employees. The district also recognizes that there may be a greater risk of transmission of some communicable diseases for some employees with certain conditions than for other employees infected with the same disease.
Employees with a communicable disease will be allowed to perform their customary employment duties, provided they are able to perform the essential functions of their position and their presence does not pose a direct threat. A direct threat occurs when an individual poses a significant risk of substantial harm to him/herself or others, and the risk cannot be reduced below the direct threat level through reasonable accommodations.
Prevention and control of communicable diseases is included in the school district's blood-borne pathogens exposure control plan. The procedures will include scope and application, definitions, exposure control, methods of compliance, universal precautions, vaccination, post-exposure evaluation, follow-up, communication of hazards to employees and record keeping. This plan is reviewed annually by the superintendent and school nurse.
An employee who is at work and who has a communicable disease that poses a direct threat, as defined above, shall report the condition to the superintendent any time the employee is aware that the employee’s condition poses a direct threat. Any individual who has information that a district employee may have a communicable disease is encouraged to report the information to the superintendent.
The superintendent shall determine on a case-by-case basis whether the presence of an employee with a communicable disease in the district environment constitutes a direct threat. In making this determination, the superintendent shall consider credible, objective evidence. If the superintendent, after reviewing the credible, objective evidence, determines the employee’s presence may constitute a direct threat, the superintendent may request additional medical information from the employee’s physician (with the employee’s consent), a physician chosen by the district or public health officials, to confirm the superintendent’s determination.
Health data of an employee is confidential and it will not be disclosed to third parties. Employee medical records are kept in a file separate from their personal file.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the school nurse, to develop administrative regulations stating the procedures for dealing with employees with a communicable disease.
The superintendent is authorized to maintain staff compliance with requirements of required continuous learning provided during any remote learning period pursuant to the District's Return to Learn Plan or for staff working remotely to provide remote continous learning options to participating students.
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Approved: 6/12/89 |
Reviewed: 10/14/19 |
Revised: 2/9/09; 4/8/13; 8/10/20 |
The Disease
Hepatitis B is a viral infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) which causes death in 1- 2% of those infected. Most people with HBV recover completely, but approximately 5-10% become chronic carriers of the virus. Most of these people have no symptoms, but can continue to transmit the disease to others. Some may develop chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis. HBV may be a causative factor in the development of liver cancer. Immunization against HBV can prevent acute hepatitis and its complications.
The Vaccine
The HBV vaccine is produced from yeast cells. It has been extensively tested for safety and effectiveness in large scale clinical trials.
Approximately 90 percent of healthy people who receive two doses of the vaccine and a third dose as a booster achieve high levels of surface antibody (anti-HBs) and protection against the virus. The HBV vaccine is recommended for workers with potential for contact with blood or body fluids. Full immunization requires three doses of the vaccine over a six-month period, although some persons may not develop immunity even after three doses.
There is no evidence that the vaccine has ever caused Hepatitis B. However, persons who have been infected with HBV prior to receiving the vaccine may go on to develop clinical hepatitis in spite of immunization.
Dosage and Administration
The vaccine is given in three intramuscular doses in the deltoid muscle. Two initial doses are given one month apart and the third dose is given six months after the first.
Possible Vaccine Side Effects
The incidence of side effects is very low. No serious side effects have been reported with the vaccine. Ten to 20 percent of persons experience tenderness and redness at the site of injection and low grade fever. Rash, nausea, joint pain, and mild fatigue have also been reported. The possibility exists that other side effects may be identified with more extensive use.
CONSENT OF HEPATITIS B VACCINATION
I have knowledge of Hepatitis B and the Hepatitis B vaccination. I have had an opportunity to ask questions of a qualified nurse or physician and understand the benefits and risks of Hepatitis B vaccination. I understand that I must have three doses of the vaccine to obtain immunity. However, as with all medical treatment, there is no guarantee that I will become immune or that I will not experience side effects from the vaccine. I consent to be vaccinated for Hepatitis B.
________________________________________________ ___________________
Signature of Employee (consent for Hepatitis B vaccination) Date
________________________________________________ ___________________
Signature of Witness Date
REFUSAL OF HEPATITIS B VACCINATION
I understand that due to my occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials I may be at risk of acquiring the Hepatitis B virus infection. I have been given the opportunity to be vaccinated with Hepatitis B vaccine at no charge to myself. However, I decline the Hepatitis B vaccination at this time. I understand that by declining this vaccine, I continue to be at risk of acquiring Hepatitis B, a serious disease. If in the future I continue to have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials and I want to be vaccinated with the Hepatitis B vaccine, I can receive the vaccination series at no charge to me.
________________________________________________ ___________________
Signature of Employee (refusal for Hepatitis B vaccination) Date
________________________________________________ ____________________
Signature of Witness Date
I refuse because I believe I have (check one):
_________ started the series __________ completed the series
RELEASE FOR HEPATITIS B MEDICAL INFORMATION
I hereby authorize ____________________________ (individual or organization holding Hepatitis B records and address) to release to the Spirit Lake Community School District, my Hepatitis B vaccination records for required employee records. I hereby further authorize release of my Hepatitis B status to a health care provider, in the event of an exposure incident.
______________________________________________ _____________________
Signature of Employee Date
______________________________________________ ______________________
Signature of Witness Date
CONFIDENTIAL RECORD
_____________________________________________ _________________________
Employee Name (last, first, middle) Social Security No.
Job Title: _____________________________________________________________________
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Hepatitis B Vaccination Date |
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Additional Hepatitis B status information: ___________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Post-exposure incident: (Date, time, circumstances, route under which exposure occurred)
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Identification and documentation of source individual: _________________________________
Source blood testing consent:
_____________________________________________________________________________
Description of employee's duties as related to the exposure incident: ______________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Copy of information provided to health care professional evaluating an employee after an exposure incident: ______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Attach a copy of all results of examinations, medical testing, follow-up procedures, and health care professional's written opinion.
Training Record: (Date, time, instructor, location of training summary)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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Approved: 6/12/89 |
Reviewed: 10/14/19 |
Revised: 2/9/09; 4/8/13 |
The board authorizes the development of a comprehensive hazardous chemical communication program for the school district to disseminate information about hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
Each employee will annually review information about hazardous substances in the workplace. When a new employee is hired or transferred to a new position or work site, the information and training, if necessary, is included in the employee's orientation. When an additional hazardous substance enters the workplace, information about it is distributed to all employees, and training is conducted for the appropriate employees.
The superintendent will maintain a file indicating which hazardous substances are present in the workplace and when training and information sessions take place.
Employees who will be instructing or otherwise working with students will disseminate information about the hazardous chemicals with which they will be working as part of the instructional program.
Spirit Lake Community School Right To Know information is located at Spirit Lake Community Schools website www.spirit-lake.k12.ia.us, All Resources Tab, choose District Operations, Right to Know – Training Link.
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Approved: 2/9/09 |
Reviewed: |
Revised: 4/8/13; 10/14/19 |
Universal precautions (UP) are intended to prevent transmission of infection, as well as decrease the risk of exposure for employees and students. It is not currently possible to identify all infected individuals, thus precautions must be used with every individual. UP pertain to blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) containing blood. These precautions do not apply to other body fluids and wastes (OBFW) such as saliva, sputum, feces, tears, nasal secretions, vomitus and urine unless blood is visible in the material. However, these OBFW can be sources of other infections and should be handled as if they are infectious.
The single most important step in preventing exposure to and transmission of any infection is anticipating potential contact with infectious materials in routine as well as emergency situations. Based on the type of possible contact, employees and students should be prepared to use the appropriate precautions prior to the contact. Diligent and proper hand washing, the use of barriers, appropriate disposal of waste products and needles, and proper decontamination of spills are essential techniques of infection control. All individuals should respond to situations practicing UP followed by the activation of the school response team plan. Using common sense in the application of these measures will enhance protection of employees and students.
Hand Washing
Proper hand washing is crucial to preventing the spread of infection. Textured jewelry on the hands or wrists should be removed prior to washing and kept off until completion of the procedure and the hands are rewashed. Use of running water, lathering with soap and using friction to clean all hand surfaces is key. Rinse well with running water and dry hands with paper towels. The following are general guidelines regarding hand washing:
Barriers
Barriers anticipated to be used at school include disposable gloves, absorbent materials and resuscitation devices. Their use is intended to reduce the risk of contact with blood and body fluids as well as to control the spread of infectious agents from individual to individual. Gloves should be worn when in contact with blood, OPIM or OBFW. Gloves should be removed without touching the outside and disposed of after each use.
Disposal of Waste
Blood, OPIM, OBFW, used gloves, barriers and absorbent materials should be placed in a plastic bag and disposed of in the usual procedure. When the blood or OPIM is liquid, semi-liquid or caked with dried blood, it is not absorbed in materials, and is capable of releasing the substance if compressed, special disposal as regulated waste is required. A band-aid, towel, sanitary napkin or other absorbed waste that does not have the potential of releasing the waste if compressed would not be considered regulated waste. It is anticipated schools would only have regulated waste in the case of a severe incident.
Needles, syringes and other sharp disposable objects should be placed in special puncture-proof containers and disposed of as regulated waste. Bodily wastes such as urine, vomitus or feces should be disposed of in the sanitary sewer system.
Clean Up
Spills of blood and OPIM should be cleaned up immediately. The employee should:
Laundry
Laundry with blood or OPIM should be handled as little as possible with a minimum of agitation. It should be bagged at the location. If it has the potential of releasing the substance when compacted, regulated waste guidelines should be followed. Employees who have contact with this laundry should wear protective barriers.
Exposure
An exposure to blood or OPIM through contact with broken skin, mucous membrane or by needle/sharp stick requires immediate washing, reporting and follow-up. An employee should:
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Approved: 6/12/89 |
Reviewed: 10/14/19 |
Revised 2/9/09; 4/8/13 |