UTMB HANDBOOK OF OPERATING PROCEDURES

Section 8 Health and Safety Subject 8.1 Preventive, Occupational and Environmental Medicine Policy 8.1.17 Travel From Areas At Risk for Acquisition of SARS

08/22/03 -Originated -Reviewed w/ changes -Reviewed w/o changes Healthcare Epidemiology -Author

Travel From Areas at High Risk for Acquisition of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Audience

All employees of UTMB hospitals and clinics, contract workers, volunteers, and students.

Policy Statement

The University of Texas Medical Branch strongly requests that its employees and students not travel to areas designated as high risk for SARS. [This includes travel through an airport in a high-risk area.] Upon return from travel to a high-risk area, the health of these individuals will be monitored for the development of this contagious respiratory infection. For a list of high-risk areas, see: www.utmb.edu/hce. If employees or students decide to travel to these areas in spite of the above request not to do so, they must contact the Department of Healthcare Epidemiology prior to departure. At that time, their name, employee or student number, department name, telephone number, dates of travel, and countries visited will be recorded. They will be given an educational handout on SARS. UTMB employees or students who return from a high-risk area will not be allowed on campus for ten (10) days after leaving the high-risk area. Employees will be required to use their leave accruals or leave without pay for the ten (10) day furlough. The only exception to this policy is that employees who are invited to travel to high risk areas for humanitarian reasons will be placed on emergency leave. No other exceptions to this policy will be granted without approval of the President. Upon return to the UTMB campus, employees or students must contact the Department of Healthcare Epidemiology. A member of the staff of the Department of Healthcare Epidemiology will ask each returning employee or student if they have a fever (greater than 100.4°F), shortness of breath, cough or any other respiratory symptoms. For persons ill on return, arrangements will be made immediately for them to be seen in Urgent Care or the Emergency Department.

Policy, cont’d

If persons become ill while on furlough, they should contact the Department of Healthcare Epidemiology. Arrangements will be made immediately for the person to be seen in Urgent Care or the Emergency Department. Persons on furlough must contact the Department of Healthcare Epidemiology at the end of ten (10) days to determine whether or not they have symptoms. If cleared, the employee or student may report to work or class. For new employees and students who are arriving from a high risk area, the International Office, Enrollment Services, or the sponsoring department will advise them to contact the Department of Healthcare Epidemiology prior to reporting for duty or attending class. Employees and students will be advised that there will be a 10-day waiting period prior to beginning employment or enrollment. If the employee or student is not feeling well on arrival in Galveston, a telephone call should be made instead of a personal visit. They will be asked if they have a fever (greater than 100.4°), shortness of breath, cough or any other respiratory symptoms. If the person is ill, arrangements will be made immediately for them to be seen in Urgent Care or the Emergency Department. The new employees and students will be advised that they are not allowed on campus for ten (10) days after leaving the high-risk area. If they develop fever or respiratory symptoms while on furlough, the Department of Healthcare Epidemiology should be contacted. A visit to the UTMB Emergency Department or Urgent Care will be arranged immediately. Persons on furlough must contact the Department of Healthcare Epidemiology at the end of ten (10) days so that it may be determined whether or not they remain free of symptoms. If cleared, the employee or student may report to work or class.

Violation

Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action, which may result in termination for employees and suspension for students.