Acknowledgement of Risk

Clinical experiences (practicum, clinical rotations, supervised practice, internships, or observations) are a required component of academic programs at The University of Tennessee. These experiences allow students to practice skills and techniques learned in didactic and lab courses as well as develop critical thinking skills that are important for healthcare providers. Clinical experiences occur in hospitals, clinics, schools, community organizations, and other appropriate settings where students can interact with patients and clients.

Sites selected for students clinical experiences are required to take reasonable and appropriate measures to protect students’ health and safety in the clinical setting. Faculty will develop appropriate policies and procedures relating to student safety and prevention of exposure to disease. Students will have access to appropriate PPE during their clinical experiences. Students will receive training related to potential hazards and prevention techniques. Students have the responsibility to report any potential exposures to the supervisor at their site as well as their UT faculty member.

However, even with such measures, there are risks inherent to clinical experiences. Potential risks of completing clinical experiences include, but are not limited to:

• Exposure to infectious diseases through blood or other body fluids via skin, mucus membranes or parenteral contact

• Exposure to infectious diseases through droplet or air-borne transmission

• Hazardous chemical exposure

• Radiation exposure

• Environmental hazards, including slippery floors and electrical hazards

• Physical injuries, including back injuries

• Psychosocial hazards

• Offensive, inappropriate, or dangerous conduct by patients or clients, including violence, harassment, and sexual harassment

• These risks can lead to serious complications, trauma, bodily injury or death.

Although anyone who contracts COVID-19 may experience severe complications, the CDC has found that individuals with certain underlying health conditions are at higher risk of developing severe complications from COVID-19. These medical conditions include: chronic lung disease, asthma, conditions that cause a person to be immunocompromised, obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and liver disease.

COVID-19 is believed to spread primarily by coming into close contact with a person who has COVID-19 and may also spread by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, and then touching one’s mouth, nose or eyes.

Much remains unknown about COVID-19. Further research may reveal additional information regarding the disease, including how it spreads and what health complications, including long-term complications, can result from contracting it.

Participating in clinical experiences, even when wearing recommended PPE, may increase the risk of contracting COVID-19, and these risks cannot be eliminated.

Students must accept responsibility to follow all faculty and clinical preceptor instructions and take all available precautions so that the risk of exposure is minimized.