Medical Emergencies, Minor Injuries/Illnesses

I. POLICY AND GENERAL STATEMENT

When a member of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (“University”) community incurs, or encounters someone who has incurred, an injury or illness on University property, the incident should be handled expediently, efficiently and calmly. 

II. PROCEDURE

     A. Life-threatening Injuries/Illnesses

If an employee, resident, student, visitor, guest or patient incurs an injury/illness that appears to be life-threatening, the person reporting the incident should immediately call 911 and provide the dispatcher with requested information.

Unless otherwise requested or indicated, the injured/ill person should be transported by ambulance to the appropriate health care facility.

1. Employees, Residents, or Students

If the injury or illness involves an employee, resident or student, the immediate supervisor, class instructor or appropriate Student Affairs office must prepare a Supervisor’s First Report of Injury form as soon as possible. Please note that, while emergency care for employees may be provided at an appropriate health care facility, all follow-up care must be provided at an IMO Health Care Network facility. Residents who are employed by The University of Texas Medical Foundation are provided workers' compensation insurance through a separate commercial insurance policy. Students are not covered by the University under any insurance including, but not limited to, Worker’s Compensation or health insurance. They should seek care through their personal health insurance.

2. Visitors, Guests, Patients and Externally-Funded Postdoctoral Research Fellows

If the injury or illness involves a visitor, guest, patient or externally-funded postdoctoral research fellow, the department supervisor or class instructor of the area in which the incident occurred should be informed of the incident immediately. The Visitor/Guest Incident Accident Investigation Form should be completed as soon as possible. Visitors, guests, patients or externally-funded postdoctoral research fellows are not covered by the University under any insurance, including, but not limited to, Worker’s Compensation or health insurance.

     B. Minor Injuries/Illnesses

          1. Employees

If an employee incurs a minor injury, the injured employee's supervisor must prepare a Supervisor’s First Report of Injury form. Supervisors must offer to contact an appropriate health care facility for an injured employee. The employee has the right to refuse medical treatment. The employee’s refusal should be noted on the Supervisor’s First Report of Injury form by having the employee initial the line indicating refusal of treatment. If the health care provider is not a member of UT System’s IMO Health Care Network, the employee may be responsible for the medical costs associated with the claim. A list of providers in the IMO Health Care Network can be found on the network’s website. The injured employee must take a copy of the Supervisor’s First Report of Injury form with him or her when visiting a healthcare provider.

If an employee experiences symptoms of a non-work related injury or illness, the employee should contact his or her personal healthcare provider to obtain instructions on how to handle the situation. Due to privacy and other considerations, neither UT Health Services staff nor the employee's supervisor is able to contact an employee's personal healthcare provider directly. If the ill or injured employee has no personal healthcare provider, the employee may be directed to UT Health Services or to an emergency treatment center. For more detailed information regarding employee injuries/illnesses, refer to HOOP 100, Workers' Compensation Insurance.

          2. Residents

Residents who are employed by The University of Texas Medical Foundation are provided workers' compensation insurance through a separate commercial insurance policy. If a resident incurs a minor injury, the resident needs to complete a Supervisor's First Report of Injury for all injuries except needle stick and/or blood borne incidents. In those cases, the resident should call the 24/7 Needle Stick Hotline (1-800-770-9206) provided by the UT Health Services Clinic and speak directly to the nurse on duty.

If a resident experiences symptoms of a non-work related injury or illness, the resident should contact his or her personal healthcare provider to obtain instructions on how to handle the situation. Due to privacy and other considerations, neither UT Health Services staff nor the resident's supervisor is able to contact an employee's personal healthcare provider directly. If the ill or injured resident has no personal healthcare provider, the resident may be directed to UT Health Services or to an emergency treatment center.

          3. Students

If a student incurs a minor illness or injury, the supervisor/instructor of the area in which the incident occurred must be advised immediately. The Supervisor’s First Report of Injury form should be completed. Students are not covered under Worker’s Compensation insurance and should seek treatment from a healthcare provider of their choice. Students are encouraged to first seek an evaluation at Student Health Services, when possible. If the student chooses to seek medical attention through the University, the supervisor/instructor should contact Student Health Services to schedule an appointment for the injured student. Students experiencing needle sticks or other occupational exposure should call the 24/7 Needle Stick Hotline (713-500-OUCH(6824)) provided by the Student Health Clinic and speak directly to the nurse on duty.

          4. Visitors, Guests, Patients or Externally-Funded Postdoctoral Research Fellows

If a visitor, guest, patient or externally-funded postdoctoral research fellow incurs a minor injury or illness, the department supervisor or class instructor of the area in which the incident occurred should be informed immediately. The Visitor/Guest Incident Accident Investigation Form should be completed as soon as possible. Visitors, guests, patients and externally-funded postdoctoral research fellows are not covered under any University insurance including, but not limited to, Worker’s Compensation or health insurance. Treatment should be sought from a healthcare provider of his or her choice.

III. CONTACTS

• • Risk Management and Insurance (regarding injuries to employees)
  • 713-500-8100
  • https://www.uth.edu/safety/
• • The University of Texas Police - Houston
  • 911 (emergency) 713-792-2890 (non-emergency)
  • https://www.utph.org/

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