Students are required to notify faculty as soon as possible if an incident occurs. Timely reporting is expected. Faculty are expected to assist students in completing a School of Nursing Incident Report: http://www.plu.edu/nursing/clinical-incident-report/ and possibly a University Injury Report: https://www.plu.edu/human-resources/wp-content/uploads/sites/141/2021/06/injury-report-form-printable-v4-2.pdf. Incidents that occur within a clinical setting will simultaneously follow facility policy on incident reporting. Faculty are required to work with the student to assist in determining appropriate action(s) for the incident. Situations or incidents resulting in safety concerns for a patient, significant injury, or potential for liability concerns/litigation must be reported directly to the SoN Dean at the earliest opportunity.
Incidents that may be reported may include, but are not limited to: needle stick injury, general injuries, errors, and hostile environment.
- Incident reports generated from an event occurring in the clinical setting will be submitted to the Clinical Placement Coordinator for tracking.
- Incident reports generated from an event occurring in the classroom or lab settings will be submitted to the Advising, Admissions, and Student Support Coordinator.
- Injury reports for on-campus injuries are to be submitted to the School of Nursing Lab Coordinator.
Needle Stick Injury
Injuries resulting from clean or dirty needle sticks must be reported within 1 hour of occurrence. Contaminated needle stick injuries should immediately be treated. Prophylaxis medication, if needed, should be started within 72 hours. Students are responsible for the cost of treatment for injuries sustained while in clinical/lab.
General injuries
General injuries as a result of poor ergonomics, slip-trip-falls, etc. need to be reported as soon as possible. If immediate medical care is necessary, notification of the faculty must be reported within 1 hour of occurrence. If the injury does not require immediate medical care then the injury should be reported as soon as possible. Students are responsible for the cost of treatment for injuries sustained while in classroom/clinical/lab. State of Washington NCQAC reporting is necessary for certain errors and injuries.
Errors
Errors resulting in the harm or potential harm of a patient must be reported to the faculty of record, or in the case of precepted clinical rotations, the contracted clinical preceptor, immediately. Students who are in precepted clinical rotations also need to report the error to their faculty of record within 24 hours. State of Washington NCQAC reporting is necessary for certain errors and injuries.
Hostile Environment
Hostile environment includes but is not limited to: bullying, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, lateral violence, discrimination, and physical violence. Incidents of hostile environment should be reported to the faculty of record. Any claims of hostile environment involving the SoN (classroom, lab, clinical sections, student peer relations) or a faculty member must be reported to the SoN Dean.