Student policy on AIDS, HIV, HBV, HCV
All students will be issued a copy of Xavier University School of Medicine, Aruba’s official policy on AIDS, HIV, HBV, and HCV. Xavier University School of Medicine (XUSOM) recognizes blood borne pathogens and in particular, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV),
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) as serious public health threats and is committed to encouraging an informed and educated response to issues and questions concerning HIV/AIDS, HBV, and HCV. In furtherance of its commitment, XUSOM has adopted a policy and procedural steps to both prevent the spread of infection and to protect the rights and well-being of those students, employees, and patients who may be infected with HIV, HCV, or HBV.
Any work done at XUSOM which exposes students or employees to blood borne pathogens is performed in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Blood borne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030, http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=stan-dards&p_id=10051).
OSHA Standard requires that XUSOM develops an Exposure Control Plan, to protect employees from blood borne pathogens by reducing occupational exposure and providing appropriate treatment and counseling for employees potentially exposed to these pathogens. The plan covers all students and employees who could reasonably anticipate contact with blood and other potentially infectious materials during the course of their work or studies. These infectious materials include body fluids, such as semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal, synovial, pleural, peritoneal, pericardial, and amniotic fluid; any body fluid where blood is apparent; saliva from dental procedures; body fluid where it is difficult to differentiate body fluids; unfixed human tissues and organs other than intact skin and human cell line.
XUSOM recognizes the US Federal guidelines that discuss the interpretation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) particularly as amended in 2008 (ADA Amendments Act of 2008, Pub. L. No. 110- 325, 110th Congress, Second Session), and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as it concerns coverage for people with HIV/AIDS and make a note of the fact that a disability, including those such as early HIV disease with no visible manifestations, is the basis for protection from discrimination against those who, while living with a disability, are otherwise able to work or participate in programs and services.