Communicable Diseases
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL POLICY
The Clay County School System will work cooperatively with the Clay County Health Department to enforce and adhere to the West Virginia Codes: 18A-5-1, 16-3-4, 16-3-4a, 16-3-5, 18-5-22, for prevention, control, and containment of communicable disease in schools.
A. Students are expected lo be in compliance with the required immunization schedule. The building principal is required under State Statute 16-3-4 to exclude children from school attendance who are out of compliance with the immunization required by this act. School personnel will cooperate with county/state health personnel in completing and coordinating all immunization data, waivers and exclusions.
B. The Superintendent has the authority to exclude a student or staff member from school when reliable evidence or information from a qualified source confirms him/her of having a communicable disease or infestation that is known to be spread by any form of casual contact and is considered a health threat to the school population. (Casual contact refers to day-to-day interaction between infected individuals and others in the home, at school or in the work place. It does not include intimate contact, such as sexual or drug use interactions, and it implies closer contact than chance passing on a street or sharing a seat.). Such a student or staff member shall be excluded unless their physician approves school attendance and the condition is no longer considered contagious. All reportable communicable diseases will be referred to the Clay County Health Department.
C. When reliable evidence or information from a qualified source confirms that a student/staff member is known to have a communicable disease or infection that is known not to be spread by casual contact i.e., HIV Infections. Hepatitis B and other like diseases, the decision as to whether the affected person will remain in the school setting will be addressed on a case by case basis by a review panel to ensure due process. (Protocol and review panel membership outlined in Section 11.)
D. Mandatory screening for communicable diseases that are known not to be spread by casual contact is not warranted as a condition for school entry or for employment or continued employment.
E. Irrespective of the disease presence, routine procedures shall be used and adequate sanitation facilities will be available for handling blood or body fluids within the school selling or school busses. School personnel will be trained in the proper procedures for handling blood and body fluids and these procedures will be strictly adhered to by all school personnel. (See Section III, Routine and Standard Procedures for Sanitation and Hygiene-Handling Body Fluids).
F. All person's privileged with any medical information that pertains to students or staff members shall be required lo treat all proceedings, discussions and documents as confidential information. Before any medical information is shared with anyone in the school setting a "Need to Know" review shall be made which includes the parent/guardian, student if over 18, employee or their representative as outlined in the West Virginia Procedures for the Collection, Maintenance and Disclosure of Student Data.
G. Instruction on the principle modes by which communicable diseases, including, but not limited to, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are spread and the best methods for the restriction and prevention of these diseases shall be laugh1 to students and in-service education provided to all staff members.
II. PROTOCOL FOR COMMUNICABLE DISEASES KNOWN NOT TO BE SPREAD BY CASUAL CONTACT
A. The Review Panel
1. Communicable diseases that are known not to be spread by casual contact, e.g., AIDS, Hepatitis B, and other like diseases will be addressed on a case by case basis by a review panel.
2. Panel Membership
a. The physician treating the individual.
b. A health official from the State or County Health Department who is familiar with the disease.
c. A child/employee advocate (e.g., nurse, counselor, child advocate, social worker, employee representative, etc. from in or outside the school setting).
d. A school representative familiar with the child's behavior in the school setting or the employee's work situation (in most cases, the building principal or in the case of a special education student, a special education representative may be more appropriate).
e. Either the parent/guardian of the child, the student if over 18, employee, or their representative.
f. The county superintendent or designee.
3. The superintendent or designee will assign a panel member to record the proceedings.
4. The superintendent or designee will designate the chair of the panel. The Chair is responsible for assuring a due process hearing that is fair and just. The chair shall serve as a neutral hearing officer to ensure an impartial hearing for all interests concerned.
5. The chair of the review panel will designate the panel member who will write the "Proposal for Decision."
B. Case Review Process
1. Upon learning of a student/staff member within the Clay County School System who has been identified by a qualified source as having a communicable disease that is known not to be spread by casual contact, the superintendent shall:
a. Immediately consult with the physician of the student/staff member and/or health official from the State or County Health Department to obtain information as to whether the student/staff member is generally well enough to remain in school during the review panel process. The superintendent will confirm whether the student/staff member has evidence of an existing condition that could be transmitted by casual contact in the school setting.
1. If the student/staff member's physician or the health department physician indicates the student/staff member is well enough to remain in the school setting and poses no immediate health threat through casual contact lo the school population because of their illness, the student/staff member shall be allowed to remain in the school setting while the review panel meets.
2. If the student/staff member's physician or the health department official indicates the student/staff member is currently not well enough to remain in the school setting and/or that the affected individual currently has evidence of an illness or infection that poses a potential health threat through casual contact to the school population because of their illness, the student/staff member shall be excluded from the school setting while the review panel meets. If the health department official recommends exclusion because a public health threat exists the review panel will discuss the conditions under which the individual may return to school.
b. Immediately contact the review panel members lo convene a meeting to explore aspects of the individual's case.
c. Submit to the parent/guardian or infected person in writing a notice of their rights as a review panel member and the method of appeal.
2. The Review Panel Process
a. The Review Panel shall meet within 24-48 hours (excluding weekends or holidays) to review the case.
The following aspects should be considered in that review:
1. The circumstances in which the disease is contagious to others.
2. Any infections or illnesses the student/staff member could have as a result of the disease that would be contagious through casual contact in the school situation.
3. The age, behavior and neurological development of the student.
4. The expected type of interaction with others in the school setting and the implications to the health and safety of those involved.
5. The psychological aspects for both the infected individual and others concerning the infected person remaining in the school setting.
6. Consideration of the existence of contagious diseases occurring within the school population while the infected person is in attendance.
7. Consideration of a potential request by the person with the disease to be excused from attendance in school or on the job.
8. The method of protecting the student/staff member's right to privacy, including maintaining confidential records.
9. Recommendations as to whether the student/staff member should continue in the school setting or if currently not attending under what circumstances he/she may return.
10. Recommendations as to whether a restrictive setting or alternative delivery of school programs is advisable.
11. Determination of whether an employee would be at risk of infection through casual contact when delivering an alternative educational program.
12. Determination of when the case should be reviewed again by the panel.
13. Any other relevant information.
b. Proposal for Decision
1. Within three (3) school days after convening the panel, the superintendent shall be provided with a written record of the proceedings and the "Proposal for Decision." The Proposal serves as a recommendation to the superintendent. It is based on the information brought out in the review panel process and will include the rationale for the recommendation concerning school attendance for the student or continuation of employment for the staff member. If there is a minority viewpoint by panel members following the review process, they should also be included in the report.
2. If the Proposal for Decision is to exclude the affected person from the school setting because of an existing condition that is known to be spread by casual contact and is considered a health threat to the school community, the Proposal for Decision shall include the conditions under which the exclusion will be reconsidered.
3. The parent/guardian, or affected person will be given a copy of the Proposal. The review panel members will be given the opportunity to review the content of the Proposal for Decision.
c. The Superintendent's Decision
1. The superintendent shall affirm, modify, or take exception to the Proposal for Decision within three (3) school days after receipt of the Proposal for Decision unless a rehearing request on that Proposal has been made. (See Appeal Process, Rehearing Request.)
2. In the event the superintendent takes exception lo the Proposal of
Decision, he/she shall prepare a written statement that sets forth the reasons for the exceptions and the basis for that decision.
3. The parent/guardian or affected person and the Health Department official will be given a copy of the Superintendent's Decision. The other review panel members will be given the opportunity to review the content of the Superintendent's Decision.
d. If the affected person is a special education student, the superintendent shall convene an Individualized Education Planning Committee meeting to determine the appropriate program and services for the student based on the panel's recommendations arid the superintendent's decision. Placement of the student in the interim shall be based upon the recommendation of the superintendent and the attending physician.
C. Appeal Process
1. Rehearing Request
a. The parent, guardian, or affected person who considers the Proposal for Decision unjust may request a rehearing, in writing, directed to the chair of the review panel within three (3) school days of the date of the Proposal for Decision. Grounds for requesting a rehearing are limited to: (1) new evidence or information that is important to the decision; or (2) substantial error or fact.
b. The chair, within three (3) school days from the date of receipt of the request for rehearing shall either grant or deny the request for rehearing. If the request for rehearing is denied, the chair shall immediately submit the Proposal for Decision to the Superintendent. If the request for rehearing is granted, the chair shall reconvene the same panel that originally heard the matter within five (5) school days of the date the hearing is granted.
c. Within three (3) school days after the rehearing the chair shall submit the Proposal for Decision to the superintendent. The parent/guardian or affected person will be given a copy of the Proposal. The review panel members shall be given the opportunity to review the content of the Proposal for Decision.
2. Request for Reconsideration of Superintendent's Decision.
a. The parent, guardian or affected person may request a reconsideration of the Superintendent's Decision within three (3) school days of the date the Superintendent's Decision was issued. The request shall be in writing and shall allege that the Decision contains a substantial error of fact of that the Decision is against the great weight of the evidence as set forth in the Proposal for Decision.
b. An oral presentation by the parent/guardian, affected person or their representative may be granted by the superintendent.
c. The superintendent shall grant or deny the request for reconsideration within three (3) school days after receipt of the request or within three (3) schools days following the oral presentation, which ever is applicable.
3. Request for a Board Decision
The parent/guardian, affected person, or their representative may make a final written appeal to the president of the Board of Education within five (5) school days after the Superintendent's Decision. The Board shall' meet within three (3) school days and hear the student/staff member's appeal along with the Proposal or Decision and Superintendent's Decision. Within two (2) school days of the hearing, the Board shall render his decision in writing with copies sent to the superintendent, health department health official, and parent/guardian or affected person.
4. Review Panel Request for Appeal
If the Proposal for Decision or the Superintendent's Decision is contrary to the majority opinion of the review panel a majority of the panel has the right to appeal either the decision in the same manner stated in the "Appeal Process."
E. General
1. If the student with the disease is not attending school, the district will provide an alternative delivery of school programs.
a. If the review panel determines there is a risk of infection through casual contact to the employee while delivering this program, the employee may be allowed the option not to serve in the situation.
b. If the panel determines there is no risk of infection to the employee, the employee will be expected to participate in the delivery of the alternative program.
2. The review panel member who is serving as the advocate for the infected individual (or another person designated by the panel) will serve as the liaison between the student/staff member, family and attending physician as it relates to the school selling.
3. Employees of the district shall be expected to teach and provide other normal personal contract services in school to a student or to work with a school employee determined to have a disease known not to be communicable by casual contact unless a determination to the contrary has been made by the review panel.
F. Confidentiality
All persons involved in these procedures shall be required to treat all proceedings, deliberations, and documents as confidential information. Records of the proceedings and the decisions will be kept by the superintendent in a sealed envelope with access limited to only those persons receiving the consent of the parent/guardian or infected person as provided by the Employee Right to Know Act, and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Acts.
III. ROUTINE PROCEDURES FOR SANITATION AND HYGIENE WITH HANDLING BODY FLUIDS.
Purpose
To insure that body fluids involving blood, vomitus, urine, feces, semen, saliva, and nasal discharge are handled properly.
Those Affected
All school staff should be alerted to dangers of infections from body fluids. School nurses, custodians, bus drivers, school aids, and teachers should be particularly alert to the proper techniques in handling and disposal of materials.
Equipment Needed
Soap
Water
Paper Towels
Disposable Gloves
Disposal Bags
Dust Pans
Buckets
Mops
Disinfectants - should be one of the following classes:
a. Phenolic germicidal detergent in a 1% aqueous solution e.g., Lysol. (Brand names are used as examples and are not endorsement of products).
b. Sodium hypochlorite solution (household bleach), 1 part bleach to 9 parts water. Examples: 1-1½ cups bleach to one (1) gallon of water. Needs to be prepared each time used.
c. Quaternary ammonium germicidal detergent in 2% aqueous solution (e.g., Tri-quart, Mytar, or Sage).
d. Lodophor germicidal detergent with 500ppm available iodine (e.g. Wescodyne).
e. Sanitary absorbing agent (Chlora Sorb, X - O Odor Away).
Procedures
a. Wear disposable gloves before making contact with body fluids during care treatment, and all cleaning procedures.
b. Discard gloves after each use, or if they are torn.
c. Wash hands after handling fluids and contaminated articles, whether or not gloves are worn.
d. Discard disposal items including tampons, used bandages and dressings in plastic-lined trash container with lid. Close bags and discard daily.
e. Do not reuse plastic bags.
f. Use disposable items lo handle body fluids whenever possible.
g. Use paper towels to pick up and discard any solid waste materials such as vomitus or feces.
2. Hand washing
a. Use soap and warm running water. Soap suspends easily removable soil and micro-organisms allowing them to be washed 011.
b. Rub hands together for approximately 10 seconds to work up a lather.
c. Scrub between fingers, knuckles, backs of hands, and nails.
d. Rinse hands under warm running water. Running water is necessary to carry away debris and dirt.
e. Use paper towels to thoroughly dry hands
f. Now turn off water with towel.
g. Discard paper towels without touching waste container.
3. For Washable Surfaces
a. For tables, desks, etc:
1. Use Lysol, or household bleach solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts waters, mixed fresh.
2. Rinse with water if so directed or disinfectant.
3. Allow to air dry.
4. When bleach solution is used, handle carefully.
a. Gloves should be worn since the solution is irritating to skin.
b. Avoid applying on metal since it will corrode most metals.
b. For Floors:
1. One of the most readily available and effective disinfectants is the bleach solution (1-112 cups bleach to one (1) gallon water).
2. Use the two bucket system - one bucket to wash the soiled surface and one bucket to rinse as follows:
a. In bucket #1, dip, wring, mop up vomitus, blood.
b. Dip, wring, and mop once more.
c. Dip, wring out mop in bucket #l.
d. Put mop into bucket #2, (rinse bucket) that has clean disinfectant (such as Lysol, bleach solution).
e. Mop or rinse area.
f. Return mop to bucket #I, to wring out. This will keep rinse bucket clean for second spill in the area.
g. After all spills are cleaned up, proceed with #3.
3. Soak mop in the disinfectant after use.
a. Disposable cleaning equipment and water should be placed in a toilet or plastic bag as appropriate.
b. Rinse non-disposable cleaning equipment (dust pans, buckets) in disinfectant.
c. Dispose disinfectant solution down a drain pipe.
d. Remove gloves, i f worn, and discard in appropriate receptacle.
e. Wash hands as described in #2.
4. For Non-Washable Surfaces (rugs, upholstery)
a. Apply sanitary absorbing agent, let dry, vacuum.
b. If necessary, use broom and dust pan to remove solid materials.
c. Apply rug or upholstery shampoo as directed. Re-vacuum according to directions to shampoo.
d. If a sanitizing carpet cleaner only available by water extraction method is used, follow the directions on the label.
e. Clean dustpan and broom, if used. Rinse in disinfectant solution.
f. Air dry.
g. Wash hands as described in #2.
5. For soiled washable materials (clothing, towels, etc.)
a. Rinse item under running water using gloved hands, if appropriate.
b. Place item in plastic bag and seal until item is washed. Plastic bags contained soiled, washable material must be clearly identified if outside laundry service is used.
c. Wash hands as described in #2.
d. Wipe sink with paper towels, discard towels.
e. Wash soiled items separately, washing and drying as usual.
f. If material is bleachable, add 1/2 cup bleach to the wash cycle. Otherwise, add 1/2 cup non-chlorine bleach (Clorox II, Borateem) to the wash cycle.
g. Discard plastic bag.
h. Wash hands as described in #2, after handling soiled items.
Approved: October 1988