Medical students are required to complete education and training on infectious and environmental hazards in each phase of their medical education to prevent exposure; manage incidents; and safeguard the health of students, patients, and the care team. Education and training topics may include but are not limited to: infection prevention, blood-borne illness exposures, needlestick injuries/exposures, N95 mask fitting, scrub training, and PPE. Updates to education and training may occur in accordance with regulatory, institutional, and affiliate requirements. Current compliance and training requirements are available in the Medical Student Handbook, and reminders to students are sent by the Office of Records and Registration as needed.

All Medical School students are required to follow standard protocol (e.g., hand washing before and after patient contact) and universal protocol when engaging in patient care. Students are expected to apply these principles in their routine practices throughout their training.

Medical students are required to receive all immunizations and blood tests as determined by the Rhode Island Department of Health regulations (216-RICR-30-05-3 (2022)) and Brown University Student Health Services (Health Services). These requirements may exceed the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Medical students rotating at affiliated health systems must adhere to their immunization requirements.

See the Medical Student Handbook and Health Services webpage for additional information. Students, including those on the Academic Scholars Program, are responsible for keeping current with their immunizations and submitting their immunization documentation to Health Services. 

Students who experience a needlestick or sharps injury, or are exposed to a patient's blood or other body fluid during clinical work, must promptly, as applicable:

• Inform the team (or the student’s supervisor and circulating nurse in the operating room) so the contaminated sharp/needle can be safely discarded to protect both patient and student;
• Wash needlesticks and cuts with soap and water for 15 minutes;
• Flush any splashes to the nose, mouth, or skin with water for 15 minutes;
• Irrigate the eyes with clean water, saline, or sterile eyewash (with help, if required); and
• Seek medical treatment at the nearest emergency department to the student’s rotation, and inform the triage team that they are presenting for possible exposure.

Medical students who are potentially exposed to a blood- or air-borne pathogen are required to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Students are encouraged to notify the clerkship leadership team.

Rhode Island law (R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-6.3-4 (2009)) permits unconsented HIV testing of source patients suspected of being HIV-positive and who may have exposed occupational workers (e.g., health care workers, medical students) in a licensed healthcare facility or healthcare setting.

Health care providers must comply with the Policy on Restricting Health Providers from Student Records and Assessment.

All occupational exposure treatment costs must be processed first through the student’s personal health insurance plan. Costs not covered by insurance may be eligible for financial support through the Office of Student Affairs. Students are not eligible for worker's compensation.

When seeking care, students must inform the emergency department triage team that they are presenting as students and not as employees.

Students diagnosed with a blood-borne disease (e.g., Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, or HIV) are not required to disclose this information to the Medical School; however, students may meet with a committee of infectious disease experts at Brown University Health to determine how to minimize risk of blood-borne pathogen transmission to patients.

For absences due to effects of disease, please consult the Excused Absence Policy. Students with disabilities may contact the Office of Academic Support to request disability-related accommodations as appropriate.

Initial TB screening is required upon hire or program entry using a two-step PPD placement protocol. Thereafter, Medical School students will be required to complete an annual screening protocol that includes a risk assessment, symptom checklist, and educational module to be compliant with the Brown University TB protocol. If any symptom review or screening questions suggest a possible exposure or infection, the medical student will be directed to either Health Services or their primary care provider for further assessment.

Health Services continues to provide clinical assessment including chest x-ray, treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), and certification of completion of LTBI treatment for all eligible students and can offer referral to Brown University Health’s RISE Clinic for Tuberculosis Treatment when needed. Screening for TB, including PPD placement or Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) Blood Testing, will remain available to all students if required by other organizations which may have different requirements (e.g., host institution for away rotations).

This annual TB assessment will be sent to students via their Health Services Patient Portal. Students are expected to complete the TB assessment promptly to ensure they remain eligible to participate in educational programs and employment without limitations. The Medical School is notified by Health Services of students who are not in compliance. Students who are not compliant with these vaccine requirements may receive a professionalism form.

• Policy on Provider Access to Student Assessment and Health Records

• Medical Student Handbook

• Excused Absence form (via the respective class Canvas page)

• Health Requirements FAQ

• Health Requirements for New Medical Students
• Rhode Island Department of Health Regulations (216-RICR-30-05-3 (2022))
• Rhode Island law (R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-6.3-4 (2009))
• Relates to accreditation Standard 12, Element 8 mandated by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), accrediting body for U.S. medical education programs.