Safety Protocols for Lab Sessions and Personal Protective Equipment

USAHS campuses follow and employ health and safety guidelines in adherence to the  CDC Considerations for Institutions of Higher Education. USAHS protocols include the following actions:

Cleaning and Disinfection

• All surfaces (e.g., door handles, sink handles, drinking fountains, grab bars, hand railings, bathroom stalls) within facilities will be cleaned between use as often as possible. Any shared objects (e.g., lab equipment, computer equipment, desks) will be cleaned between each use.
• A schedule has been developed for increased routine cleaning and disinfection.
• Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to keep personal items (e.g., cell phones, other electronics), personal work, and living spaces clean. Students, faculty, and staff should use disinfectant wipes or disinfectant solution and disposable paper towels to wipe down shared desks, lab equipment, and other shared objects and surfaces before use. Disinfectant wipes or solution will be provided in classrooms.
• Hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, soap, and water are readily available to all individuals.
• All individuals must wash or sanitize their hands upon entering the classroom or laboratory.

Shared Objects

• Sharing items that are difficult to clean or disinfect is not permitted.
• Lab equipment and supplies will be assigned to each student to minimize sharing of high-touch materials when appropriate. Equipment will be cleaned and disinfected after each use by one group of students at a time.
• Sharing electronic devices, books, pens, and other learning aids should be avoided.

Modified Layouts

• Chairs/desks/tables will be placed at least 6 feet apart.
• The number of individuals in a classroom will be no more than 10 people.
• Online learning for laboratory activities will be provided when possible to reduce the time for in-person activity.
• All individuals will be required to maintain at least 6 feet of separation from other individuals. When such distancing is not feasible for hands on learning, universal healthcare precautions including face covering, hand hygiene, the use of gloves, cough etiquette, cleanliness, and sanitation will be rigorously practiced.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• USAHS is adhering to CDC recommended guidelines for PPE.
• All students, employees and visitors are required to wear a personal face covering on campus.
• USAHS will provide students and employees with procedural facemasks, disposable gloves and long-sleeved reusable gowns. Procedural facemasks and disposable gloves are recommended by the CDC for interactive settings with a presumed non-COVID patient.
• Though they are not required by the CDC, USAHS will also provide students and faculty with a face shield. Face shields provide an additional level of protection for the wearer.
• Since the provided face shields are reusable, students and faculty are instructed to follow cleaning procedures as recommended by the CDC that can also be found in the bag provided at the beginning of class
• PPE Reference List:
  • Personal Face Covering (including cloth masks) – recommended for general public situations, as they protect others from the wearer.
  • Procedural Face Mask – generally used for lower level and lower risk interventions, exposures, and examinations.
  • Face Shield – protects the wearer’s face, mouth, nose, and eyes in healthcare settings.
  • Gloves – protects the wearer’s hands in healthcare settings.
  • Gown – recommended creating a barrier in order to reduce contact and droplet exposure and helps prevent the transfer of microorganisms between patients and healthcare workers.
  • N-95 mask – Guidelines and norms do not suggest the use of N-95 masks for most settings USAHS students and faculty will encounter. N-95 masks will not be regularly provided as supply is limited; hospitals are reserving these masks for COVID-positive situations.