In Case of Emergency

Emergency Procedures for Students on Clinical Rotations:

Emergency situations may arise. We have provided guidance and contact information for you below. This is not an all inclusive list, but should be used as a starting point. In the event of any emergency situation a student should make their health and safety the priority.

Students should follow emergency procedures and protocols at their specific clinical site at all times.

**In the event that your rotation schedule is interrupted due to hazardous weather conditions or another emergency situation, please notify the Office of Clinical Education as soon as possible via email. In the case of an emergent situation outside normal business hours that requires you to evacuate your location or relocate for a period of time, please the Office of Clinical Education emergency line at 817-735-0431.**

Emergency Preparedness

In the event of a hazardous weather or emergency situation, students should follow protocols and procedures at your specific clinical site. Hazardous weather advisories/directions from local & county services and the National Weather Service should be followed.

Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens/Needlestick

Policy/Procedure:  If a TCOM medical student is exposed to bloodborne pathogens either by direct contact with blood or other body fluids via the eyes, mucous membranes, human bite, or sharps (e.g., needle stick, lancet stick, scalpel cut, etc.) while on rotation, it is to be handled as an EMERGENCY SITUATION.

Post Exposure Protocol

  • Immediately wash exposed areas with soap and water.
  • If splashed in eyes or mouth, flush with large amounts of water.
  • Treatment is Critical within first 2 hours.
  • Notify supervisor and follow rotation site exposure protocols (see below for addresses).
  • If facility is not equipped to handle exposure, contact HSC Student Health Clinic or appropriate remote site location listed below.
  • If Student Health Clinic or remote site listed is not available, or you are more than 30 minutes from campus, go to the nearest ER and use your student health insurance.
  • You must notify Student Health and the Clinical Education Office of any care received at another facility.

REPORT A NEEDLE STICK

All students should report needle sticks to Student Health  via the Needle Stick Form (lower left hand side of page) and via email to the Office of Clinical Education 

Dallas Fort Worth & Weatherford Area students with exposures to bloodborne pathogens

which occur M-F, 8-5 should report to:
HSC Student Health
855 Montgomery St., 3rd Floor
Fort Worth, TX 76107
T: 817-735-2273 F: 817-735-0651

For exposures occurring after hours, students should report to the nearest emergency room and use your student health insurance.

Conroe remote site students with exposures to bloodborne pathogens

which occur M-F, 8-5, should report to the Nurse Manager at :
Lone Star Family Health Center
605 S. Conroe Medical Dr.
Conroe, TX 77304
936-539-4004

For exposures occurring afterhours, students should report to :

Emergency Department
Conroe Regional Medical Center
504 Medical Center Dr.
Conroe, TX 77304
936-539-1111

Longview remote site students with exposures to bloodborne pathogens

which occur M-F, 8-5, should report to:

CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Medical Center Employee Health
1621 N 4th St, Suite 1
Longview, TX 75601
903-315-5154

For exposures occurring afterhours, students should report to:

Emergency Department
CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Medical Center
700 E Marshall Ave.
Longview, TX 75601
903-315-2000

Corpus remote site students with exposures to bloodborne pathogens should report to:

Christus Spohn
OCC Health Nurse at Christus Spohn
also immediately report to your attending and Dr Hinojosa

Bay Area report to charge nurse and medical education office proceed directly to emergency room for treatment