Infectious Diseases Procedures and General Health
Information on Infectious Diseases Procedures and General Health For Medicine & Radiography Students
Background
Students and practitioners in the health care professions have always faced the possibility of exposure to infectious diseases such as Hepatitis B and TB. Equally, both have had a responsibility to protect their patients from infections which the carers might introduce. Although the recommendations of the Medical Council do not apply to Medical / Radiography students, the relevant advice to doctors from the Medical Council is printed below for your information. While the risks are small, the increasing efficiency of preventive measures such as vaccination has highlighted the importance of these diseases and measures to deal with them. The School of Medicine & Medical Science has introduced procedures to offer both students and patients protection against Hepatitis B, Tuberculosis and common viral diseases; protective measures against other diseases are under review.
Students have a responsibility to protect the interests of the public and to inform the School of Medicine & Medical Science if any form of physical, mental or other ill-health appears to seriously affect competence and responsibility to patients.
Prior to admission to the School of Medicine & Medical Science, Medicine and Radiography students must satisfy the School that:
- They agree to appropriate tests for Hepatitis B
- They agree to vaccination for Hepatitis B and follow-up testing, if deemed necessary
- They agree to screening for Tuberculosis if necessary
- They agree to screening for immunity to measles, mumps, rubella and chicken-pox and to subsequent vaccination for these if necessary
- They agree to the School of Medicine and Medical Science providing evidence of compliance with these procedures to affiliated clinical practice sites when requested.
Hepatitis B
- Before admission students must attend for a blood test (Hepatitis B Surface Antigen) taken by the UCD Student Health Service and further analysed by the Virus Reference Laboratory, UCD.
- Non-immune students are required to be vaccinated against Hepatitis B through the programme carried out by the UCD Student Health Service or another recognised centre in Ireland. Follow-up serology for evidence of immunity must be taken by UCD Student Health Service.
- Students who show evidence of Hepatitis B infectivity will be admitted to the School of Medicine & Medical Science but may be restricted from participation in certain exposure-prone activities. Infectivity will be assessed in accordance with the Department of Health and Children’s current guidelines in relation to infectivity in healthcare workers.
Measles, Mumps and Rubella
- Students must provide evidence of having received two doses of MMR.
- Students who cannot provide evidence of having received two doses of MMR will receive a booster dose of MMR carried out by the UCD Student Health Service or other recognised centre in Ireland.
- Student without any prior vaccination should receive two doses of MMR, given at least one month apart, unless otherwise contra-indicated.
Chicken pox
- Students will be tested for the presence of immunity to Varicella Zoster virus.
- Non-immune students will need vaccination against VZV through the programme carried out by the UCD Student Health Service or other recognised centre in Ireland. Vaccination via Student Health will incur an additional cost to the Healthcare screening fee of €225.
Tuberculosis
- Students should have documented proof of prior BCG vaccination or on examination show a BCG vaccination scar.
- If neither of the above is present then base line Mantoux testing should be performed in line with the procedure outlined in the National Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland 2008.
- If the Mantoux test is interpreted as negative the students will be offered BCG vaccination.
- If the Mantoux is interpreted as other than negative ( >6mm) the student will be referred for advice and/or clinical assessment and clinical contact cannot occur until this assessment has taken place.
Students who show evidence of active infection at any stage of their medical career will be required to withdraw from patient contact, undertake treatment and demonstrate non-infectivity before re-admission to the School of Medicine & Medical Science.
ADVICE TO DOCTORS WITH SERIOUS CONTAGIOUS / INFECTIOUS DISEASES
It is unethical for doctors who believe that they might be infected with a serious contagious disease (e.g. Hepatitis, HIV etc.) not to seek and accept advice from professional colleagues as to how far it is necessary for them to limit their practice in order to protect their patients. Colleagues who are consulted have a dual role. They must counsel and support the doctor concerned, but they must ensure that the doctor does not pose a risk to patients and others. If such a risk exists, the Fitness to Practice Committee must be informed as soon as possible.
A Guide to Ethical Conduct and Behaviour, 1998
The Medical Council
Information on Infectious Diseases Procedures and General Health For Biomedical, Health & Life Science Students
Prior to admission to the Medical School, all students entering the BSc Biomedical, Health and Life Sciences programme must satisfy the School that they agree to vaccination for Hepatitis B and follow-up testing
Hepatitis B