4.2.9 Written Plan for Student Health and Safety

 

​Introduction

WWRC, a division of the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, and its 230 + full-time staff strive to provide a safe and secure living and learning environment for the 2,500 residential clients a year who come to its campus. WWRC's campus is staffed 24/7 with professional and paraprofessional staff who promote a community focused on safety, personal responsibility and positive social interactions.  A professional rehabilitation counseling staff can address problems that disrupt the campus atmosphere as a safe learning and living environment. The campus is a drug-free school zone and alcohol is not permitted on campus.  Although WWRC serves people with multiple and sometimes complex disabilities that have inherent personality and behavioral dynamics, no client who presents a danger to themselves or others will be permitted to remain on campus.

(Excerpt from WWRC School Safety Statement, Tim Woodward, WWRC Director)

Accountability for implementation and evaluation of WWRC's Student Health and Safety Program is shared through the Medical Rehabilitation Services Division and the Facilities/Operation Division Office of Safety & Risk Management and Police Department.   This written plan highlights details of the program and references relevant WWRC policies and procedures.   Relevant WWRC governance protocols are listed below. 

• AGM 2.2.4:  Campus Safety
• AGM 2.2.11:  Medical Emergencies
• AGM 2.2.23:  Consumer Travel To and From Campus
• AGM 2.3.3:  Authorization for Outside Goods and Services
• AGM 2.3.15:  Medical Services for WWRC Day Students
• AGM 2.3.16:  Mental Health Crisis Intervention for Clients
• AGM 2.3.25:  Management of Student Behaviors
• AGM 2.3.26:  Medication Management
• AGM 4.1.6:  WWRC Life, Safety, and Health Program
• AGM 4.1.8: Risk Management Program
  
   
  Health & Safety Program for Students in Case of Sickness, Accidents, and Emergency Health Care Needs

Student Health Program

WWRC's Student Health Services are available for residential and day students reflective of its philosophy to "to provide health care services that enable clients to achieve their potential for independence, education, and employment".   Hours of operation reflect realistic access to health care services found in the community and, as such, are part of the comprehensive "living and learning" experience for students enrolled in WWRC's vocational programs. 

Medication times: 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.; 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.   The medication window will be closed outside of these hours.

Walk-in nursing assessments/sick call: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.; 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. – 10 p.m. Sick call for off-campus training students (ETO; SIP) available prior to 7 AM, M-F.   Students are responsible for alerting the nurse that they are an off-campus training student.

Physician/Physician Assistant Appointments: by appt. only (no change)

Urgent/emergency issues:  Anytime

First Aid boxes are located in key locations throughout campus, including the training building and dorms for minor injuries or ailments.  Everyone shares the responsibility to encourage clients to problem solve minor issues.  They do not need to come to Student Health unless the client has questions or concerns.

For more serious emergency health care needs, students will be transported to the nearest community hospital, located less than 5 miles from WWRC.   

WWRC Student Health and Infection Control policies and procedures are maintained by the WWRC Medical Services Division and are available for review, upon request. 

Student Safety Program

WWRC maintains a Safety and Risk Management Program which:  identifies hazards in the environment; collects information from service delivery and support programs on incidents; coordinates safety education and the response to claims made against the Center; reviews or conducts investigation of serious incidents; provides loss control; and, reviews departmental level programs for compliance with safety standards and expectations.  The Office of Safety & Risk Management has the lead for implementation of this program, but accountability is shared with facility-wide managers and supervisors for safety policy, procedure and training within the respective areas and the delegation of specific responsibilities to subordinates.  Supervisory personnel are responsible for maintaining a safe work environment, enforcing safety regulations, and reporting accidents and incidents and training.  

 

Evaluation of Written Plan for Health and Safety of Students

The WWRC Medical Services Division routinely evaluates its Student Health and Safety Program and related policies and procedures through such mechanisms as the Infection Control Committee, QA Committee, Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF) Committee, and Compliance Committee.   In addition, the WWRC Office of Safety and Risk Management operates a Safety/Risk Management Committee, as authorized under written charter.