1003 Communicable Disease Procedure
Policy Details
Policy Name: Communicable Disease
Policy Number: 1003
Applicable Code/Law: WAC 246-100
Definitions:
Campus - Any Shoreline College owned or leased locations.
Communicable Disease (WAC 246-101-010) - A disease caused by an infectious agent which can be transmitted from one person, animal, or object to another person by direct or indirect means including transmission via an intermediate host or vector, food, water, or air. Communicable disease shall include, but not be limited to chickenpox (varicella), hepatitis, influenza, measles, meningitis, mumps, norovirus (viral gastroenteritis), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and tuberculosis.
Isolation - Separation of infected individuals (those who are sick) from those uninfected for the period of communicability of a particular disease.
Official College Business - Activities performed by faculty, staff or registered volunteers as directed in order to accomplish College programs or as required by the duties of their position or office. Included in this definition are study abroad and exchange programs and any other travel abroad program that is required, sponsored, organized, funded, endorsed or contracted by the College.
Outbreak Notice - Notification by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that an outbreak of a disease is occurring in a particular area. The risk for the individual traveler is felt to be definable and limited because transmission has occurred in defined settings or is associated with specific risk factors. There is no recommendation against non-essential travel to the area. The alert provides advice on precautions to safeguard travelers’ health. Pandemic Influenza Affected Area - Area identified by either the CDC or World Health Organization (WHO) as having a high risk of transmission of pandemic influenza.
Quarantine - Restriction of freedom of movement of apparently well individuals who have been exposed to infectious disease.
Travel Health Precaution - Notification by CDC that a disease outbreak of greater scope is occurring in a more widespread geographic area. The risk for the individual traveler is thought to be increased in defined settings or associated with specific risk factors (e.g., transmission in a health-care or hospital setting where ill patients are being cared for). There is no recommendation against non-essential travel to the area. The alert provides accurate information to travelers and Americans living abroad about the status of the outbreak (e.g., magnitude, scope, and rapidity of spread), specific precautions to reduce their risk for infection, and what to do if they become ill while in the area.
Travel Health Warning - Notification by CDC that a disease is occurring in a particular area and a recommendation against non-essential travel to the area. The risk for the traveler is considered to be much higher because of community transmission or inadequate containment. These travel health warnings are updated by CDC.
Procedural Guidelines
Persons who know or who have reason to believe that they are infected with a communicable disease have an obligation to conduct themselves in ways that minimize exposure in order to protect themselves and others.
- Students who know, or have reason to believe, that they have a communicable disease must inform the Vice President for Students, Equity, and Success who will then ensure the coordination of any necessary leave or restrictions.
- Employees unable to attend work due to a known or suspected communicable disease should both contact their health care provider and report their absence to the Office of Human Resources, who will then work with the employee regarding any necessary leave or restrictions.
- Individuals traveling for official College business will comply with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Travel Health Warnings that have been issued on their website for each country outside the U.S. they plan to visit.
- Persons with communicable diseases shall be excluded from enrollment or employment
or restricted in their access to College facilities, programs or services if a medically
based judgment, in an individual case, establishes that exclusion or restriction is
necessary to ensure the health and safety of the infected individual and/or other
members of the College community. Quarantine and isolation measures may be taken for
individuals who reside in campus housing and cannot be quarantined or isolated off-campus or
at their permanent residence.
- In cases involving exclusion or restriction and upon resolution of symptoms the individual must provide the Office of Human Resources with a medical release from their health care provider prior to return to work, classes, or other College access
- Appropriate confidentiality shall be maintained and the name of the individual with a communicable disease is only disclosed on a need-to-know basis in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and College policy.
- The Office of Human Resources will disseminate accurate and objective educational information on the communicable disease to the campus community when needed and as appropriate.
- The Vice President for Equity, Students, and Success (or designee) will make appropriate referrals as necessary to other health-care agencies.
Approvals
Procedures Approved by Executive Team: 10/3/17