Medical Surveillance

POLICY: Columbia University, in its commitment to the health and safety of its personnel, has established a medical surveillance program to address workplace hazards including exposure to biological, chemical and physical agents. As well as laboratory investigators and animal care personnel, the medical surveillance program includes healthcare workers and athletics and physical education personnel who are at risk of acquiring and/or transmitting communicable diseases to patients, visitors and colleagues because of their exposure in the workplace. The program provides for an assessment of health risks associated with certain positions and a determination of appropriate medical testing and recommended vaccines. Medical surveillance will be required of certain positions, and additionally in certain cases, mandatory testing, immunization or other preventive procedures. Medical surveillance will be performed in the Workforce Health and Safety (WHS) clinic at the time of hire or transfer into a position with such hazards and periodically as required. There is no cost to the employee for this service.

APPLICABILITY: This policy is applicable to faculty and staff who routinely work with hazardous biological, chemical and physical agents including employees who work with patients, laboratory animals, bloodborne pathogens, other infectious agents, formaldehyde, xylene, class 3b or 4a lasers, and/or those whose work requires the use of a respirator. Positions that require participation in the medical surveillance program will be identified in job descriptions and postings.

PURPOSE: Medical surveillance is intended to reduce the risk of exposure to workplace hazards.

PROCEDURE:

Pre-placement medical surveillance visit. Personnel hired in identified positions will be scheduled for pre-placement baseline medical surveillance in WHS. The evaluation may consist of a medical and occupational history, a physical examination and any necessary blood testing and/or immunizations. For those with potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens, the HBV vaccine will be offered to non-immune personnel. Personnel working with human subjects or non-human primates will be required to demonstrate immunity to infectious diseases, such as measles, and screened for tuberculosis exposure. Appointments are scheduled using the Human Resources medical surveillance form.

Clearances. Some pre-placement medical surveillance visit result in a clearance being provided, for example, to have contact with laboratory animals, to enter BSL-3 laboratories or to be fitted to wear an N95 respirator. Upon clearance by WHS, a form will be given to the employee to give to their supervisor for their personnel files, or a clearance statement will be sent to a departmental administrator. For clearance requests, check the applicable box on the Human Resources medical surveillance form.

Post-exposure evaluations. Following potential occupational exposure to biological hazards such as infectious agents, bloodborne pathogens, viral vectors or non-human primate body fluids. Personnel should seek immediate medical attention at WHS, or the NYPH Emergency Room outside of WHS business hours. Promptly administered post exposure prophylaxis can mitigate the consequences of such exposures. Post-exposure evaluations are provided more readily if a pre-placement medical surveillance visit has been made which results in generation of a patient medical record at WHS.

Periodic surveillance. When indicated for a job title, periodic health review, typically annually, may be necessary. The employee’s supervisor will notify employees when a periodic evaluation is indicated.

Hours and location of WHS. Mon. - Fri. 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Harkness Pavillion, CUIMC.

RESPONSIBILITY: Human Resources, Environmental Health & Safety, Faculty Affairs and Supervisors