Student Injuries, Bitewounds and Student Health
Student Health Services and Health Insurance
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the University of Pennsylvania's Student Health Services. Please visit their comprehensive site at www.vpul.upenn.edu/shs/ for information regarding the many services offered and health insurance polices available to you.
All students must have some form of health insurance
or the University will block your registration.
University health insurance information and enrollment forms are
generally mailed directly to each student in late summer.
However, if you do not receive this information, please call the
Insurance Office directly at (215) 746-3535 (option 3).
Student Health is located at 3535 Market Street, Suite 100 (Corner of 36 th & Market Sts.). To reach Student Health, please dial (215) 746-3535.
Student Injury/Illness Incident Report
The following is very important information regarding the health and well-being of students at the Veterinary School. Please read this information.
While uncommon, injuries to students do occur. All injuries and/or illness to students must be immediately reported to the Hospital Director's Office. For student injuries at New Bolton Center , please contact Dr. Corinne Sweeney; for student injuries at the MJRyan VHUP, please contact the Hospital Director's Office at 898.4161. These Offices are considered the “First Responder” in a student emergency and will contact the Office of Student Affairs regarding the student's status. Faculty and Staff are encouraged to call a rescue service immediately if a student loses consciousness regardless of reason.
A STUDENT INJURY/ILLNESS INCIDENT REPORT FORM is to be completed for any incident involving a student. These forms will be available in the following areas:
MJRyan VHUP: Emergency Service, Hospital Director's Office, Intensive Care Unit, Third Floor Ward Nursing Desk
New Bolton Center : Hospital's Director Office, Departmental Chair's Office, Hospital's Admission/Reception Desk
It is imperative that a staff or faculty member complete this form on behalf of the student and return it to the appropriate campus Hospital Director's Office.
STUDENTS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR WORKMAN'S COMPENSATION, therefore, do not go to Occupational Health. Ill or injured students should go to Student Health. If the incident occurs on an evening or weekend, or at New Bolton Center , the student should go to one of the following two hospitals:
Chester County Hospital
701 East Marshall Street
West Chester, 19380
610-431-5000
Jennersville Regional Hospital
1015 West Baltimore Pike
West Grove, PA 19390
610-869-1000
Students should not be permitted to go to Student Health or the hospital alone: a member of the Hospital staff or faculty should accompany the student.
Students with University Student Health Insurance should contact Student Health as soon as possible after an injury or illness to ensure that they will be fully covered for any medical costs incurred and to determine if referrals are necessary for additional medical treatment. Also, if the Emergency Room refers you to a specialist, you must contact Student Health prior to the visit to inform Student Health Staff that you have a referral. **If you do not do this, you will be billed for the cost of the referral visit**. Please if you have University Student Health Insurance, always call Student Health and apprise them of your situation as soon as possible after your injury or illness and before keeping your referral appointment.
If you do not have University Student Health Insurance, you must contact your private health insurance provider regarding payment of medical bills incurred as a student.
SUMMARY: If you are ill or injured and require medical attention:
Inform a faculty or staff member
Ensure that the faculty or staff member completes a Student Injury/Illness Incident Report Form on your behalf
Do not go to Occupational Health. Go to Student Health or the nearest Hospital Emergency Room
If the Emergency Room Staff suggest you need a referral with another physician or specialist, and you have University Student Health Insurance, call Student Health prior to your referral visit to ensure that your visit will be covered by Student Health Insurance.
Students are encouraged to cooperate with faculty and staff regarding the need for immediate and appropriate medical care. It is far better to miss a few hours of your clinical rotation, than to risk your health by refusing treatment.
**Note to Externs Only: You cannot use the University of Pennsylvania Student Health Services unless you are willing to pay **CASH UPON RECEIPT OF SERVICES**. In the case of an Emergency, your only option is to go the nearest hospital Emergency Room, where you will be treated and your Health Insurance Provider billed.
Bite Wound Policy
All bite wounds occurring at Ryan are to be reported to Joe Rogowski and the appropriate forms filled out. Bite wound kits are available in Emergency Service, Surgery, the Intensive Care Unit, the Director's Office, and the Wards. Information on action following a bite wound in VHUP is available in the kit, along with instructions detailing care for a bite wound until professional assistance is obtained.
All bite wounds should be treated by the Penn Hand Specialists (Penn Orthopaedic Institute at Presbyterian Medical Center, 39th and Market Street, 1st Floor Cupp Building - phone: 800-789-PENN), Student Health or the HUP Emergency Room. Please see above regarding emergency treatment and referrals.
Please remember to report the incident to Joe at 898-3329 or have him paged. 2/14/12