Department Policy

Effective 2/3/2025

The Student Health Center provides medical excuses for students who are unable to attend class due to illness or injury. To receive a medical excuse, students must follow these guidelines:

1. Timely Notification: Students must contact the Student Health Center on the day of the missed class to request a medical excuse. This can be done by:
   • Calling the Student Health Center at 412-392-3800
   • Sending an email to studenthealth@pointpark.edu
   • Visiting the clinic in person on the 3^rd floor of the Student Center
2. Day-by-Day Excusal: Medical excuses are issued on a day-by-day basis. The Student Health Center will not issue excuses for multiple days or an entire week at a time.
3. Retroactive Excuses: If a student fails to contact the Student Health Center on the day of their absence, they will not be eligible for a medical excuse for that day.
   • If a student receives care from a physician, urgent care, or hospital, a physician’s excuse must be submitted to the Student Health Center within three (3) days of discharge for the appointment to be processed.
4. Excuse Limit Per Semester: Students are limited to three (3) non-physician medical excuses per semester from the Student Health Center. After reaching this limit, students must provide documentation from a physician for any additional absences.
5. Proper Contact for Requests: All medical excuse requests must be sent to studenthealth@pointpark.edu. Requests sent to individual staff emails, including Nurse Rebecca’s email, will not be processed.

Student Health Center Note-Writing Policy

The Student Health Center provides documentation for medical clearance when necessary but does not issue physical notes for academic or workplace accommodations.

1. Academic Notes: The Student Health Center does not provide written notes for professors excusing absences or missed coursework. All excuses are submitted to the finishline program and disseminated to professors using this process.
2. Work Notes: The Student Health Center does not issue notes excusing students from work responsibilities. Students should follow their employer's policies regarding absences and medical documentation.
3. Athletic Clearance: The Student Health Center does provide medical clearance for student-athletes returning to practice after illness or injury, as required by athletic department policies.

This policy ensures fairness and maintains accountability while providing students with appropriate support during illness. If a student requires extended medical leave, they should consult with a healthcare provider and the university’s academic support services for additional guidance.

The Student Health Center at Point Park University is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all students' health information. This Privacy Policy outlines how personal health information (PHI) is collected, used, and protected in accordance with applicable laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

1. Confidentiality of Health Information

• All health information provided to the Student Health Center is confidential and will not be shared with anyone outside of the Health Center unless written consent is obtained from the student.
• Students' health records are protected under HIPAA, and the Health Center adheres to strict policies regarding the handling of sensitive information.

2. Collection of Health Information

• The Student Health Center collects personal health information (PHI) when students visit for healthcare services. This may include details such as medical history, symptoms, diagnoses, treatment plans, prescriptions, and immunization records.
• Immunization Records: Starting Fall 2025, students will submit their vaccination records via the Practice Fusion patient portal. These records will be stored securely for use by Health Center staff in providing care.

3. Use of Health Information

• The information we collect is used solely for the purpose of providing healthcare services, including diagnosis, treatment, and medical referrals. This may include:
  • Clinical Treatment: Information is used by healthcare professionals to provide appropriate care.
  • Insurance and Emergency Purposes: Health insurance information may be used in emergency situations or for student health needs that require referral to off-campus providers.
  • Administrative Purposes: The Health Center may use certain health information for administrative purposes such as scheduling appointments, reminders for follow-up care, or contacting students about health-related issues.

4. Sharing of Health Information

• We do not share personal health information without your consent, except in the following cases:
  • Medical emergencies: When necessary to provide emergency care, such as when a student requires off-campus services.
  • Legal requirements: If required by law, such as in the case of reporting certain infectious diseases or complying with a subpoena.
  • Referrals: If students are referred to external healthcare providers (e.g., for specialized treatment or emergency care), the necessary health information may be shared with those providers to ensure continuity of care.

5. Access to Health Information

• Students have the right to access their own health information. Upon request, students can:
  • Review their records: Students can ask to see the information we have on file, and request copies of their health records.
  • Request corrections: Students can request corrections to any inaccurate or incomplete information in their health records.

6. Security of Health Information

• The Student Health Center takes appropriate physical, administrative, and technical measures to protect health information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.
• All health information is stored securely, whether in electronic or paper format, and is accessible only to Health Center staff who are involved in a student's care.
• Electronic Health Records (EHR) are stored in a secure online system, Practice Fusion, which complies with HIPAA privacy and security standards.

7. Retention of Health Information

• Health information will be retained for a period of time as required by law and university policy. After this period, records will be securely disposed of or archived in compliance with applicable regulations.

8. Privacy of Communications

• When communicating with students (whether via phone, email, or in person), the Health Center will maintain the privacy of conversations to the extent possible.
• Students who wish to discuss sensitive health information with Health Center staff are encouraged to schedule private appointments or use secure means of communication.

9. Student Rights

• Right to Privacy: Students have the right to privacy regarding their healthcare and medical information.
• Right to Opt-Out: Students may request to opt-out of specific communications, such as appointment reminders, if they wish.

10. Policy Changes

• The Student Health Center reserves the right to update this Privacy Policy as needed to comply with changes in laws or regulations. Any changes will be communicated to students, and updated policies will be available on the Health Center’s website.

11. Contact Information

• If you have any questions or concerns about your privacy rights or how your health information is handled, please contact the Student Health Center:

The Student Health Center is dedicated to providing a safe, supportive, and professional environment where students can access healthcare services. All students, staff, and visitors are expected to adhere to the following Code of Conduct to ensure respectful interactions and maintain a positive, productive atmosphere within the Health Center.

1. Respectful Behavior

• All individuals are expected to treat Health Center staff, students, and other visitors with kindness, respect, and professionalism.
• Disruptive, disrespectful, or abusive behavior (including but not limited to verbal or physical abuse, intimidation, or threats) will not be tolerated and may result in dismissal from the Health Center or a referral to university conduct services.

2. Confidentiality and Privacy

• The privacy and confidentiality of all Health Center visitors are of utmost importance. All patients’ health information is protected by applicable laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Students are expected to respect the confidentiality of others within the Health Center. Sharing another student’s medical information or using the Health Center’s resources for personal gain is prohibited.

3. Appointment Etiquette

• Timeliness: Students are expected to arrive on time for scheduled appointments. Late arrivals may result in the rescheduling of the appointment.
• Cancellations: If a student needs to cancel an appointment, they must notify the Health Center at least 24 hours in advance. This allows us to offer the appointment time to another student in need.
• No-Show Policy: Repeated missed appointments (without notification) may lead to a restriction of future appointments or referral to other services.

4. Substance Use and Conduct

• The use of alcohol or illegal substances is not permitted within the Health Center or on the premises.
• Students must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol when seeking care at the Health Center. Individuals exhibiting signs of being under the influence may be asked to leave the premises and seek care elsewhere.

5. Personal Hygiene and Safety

• All visitors to the Health Center should maintain appropriate hygiene and attire, particularly in health-related settings. This ensures a safe and professional environment for both staff and patients.
• In case of emergency situations, students are expected to follow staff instructions promptly to ensure their safety and the safety of others.

6. Respecting Health Center Property

• Students should treat Health Center property (including medical equipment, supplies, and facilities) with respect. Vandalism or misuse of any Health Center property will be subject to disciplinary action.

7. Compliance with Health Center Policies

• All students are required to comply with the policies set forth by the Health Center. Failure to follow these policies may result in restricted access to services or referral to campus conduct services for further action.

8. Harassment and Discrimination

• Harassment, discrimination, or intimidation of any kind, whether based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected status, is strictly prohibited.
• The Student Health Center is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students and staff.

9. Personal Responsibility

• Students are responsible for keeping accurate health records, providing necessary information for treatment, and following instructions from Health Center staff.
• Students must ensure that their insurance information is updated and provided for emergency purposes. Failure to provide accurate information may impact the Health Center’s ability to assist in emergencies.

10. Violation of the Code of Conduct

• Violations of this Code of Conduct may result in restricted access to services, referral to university conduct services, or other actions as deemed necessary by the Health Center leadership.

Contact Information and Questions

For questions or more information regarding the Health Center’s Code of Conduct, please contact the Student Health Center

The Student Health Center is committed to maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of all student health records and medical information. Our policies align with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) to ensure the protection of student health information.

1. Confidentiality of Health Records

• All medical records and health information are strictly confidential and will not be shared without the student’s written consent, except in cases outlined by law.
• Electronic Records: Beginning Fall 2025, all student health records will be stored securely in the Practice Fusion Patient Portal and will only be accessible by authorized Student Health Center staff.
• Paper Records: Health records for students seen before Fall 2025 are securely stored in locked filing cabinets within the Student Health Center.

2. Release of Medical Information

• Medical information will only be released to third parties (e.g., faculty, parents, employers) with a signed authorization form from the student.
• Exceptions to confidentiality include:
  • Medical emergencies where sharing information is necessary for treatment.
  • Legal requirements, such as public health reporting for communicable diseases.
  • Threats to self or others, in which case appropriate action will be taken to ensure safety.

3. Access to Medical Records

• Students have the right to request and review their own medical records.
• Requests for copies of records must be submitted in writing and may take up to 5 business days to process.
• The Student Health Center does not provide medical records directly to faculty for class accommodations; students must obtain and share their own records as needed.
• Students with records before Fall 2025 should request copies from the secure paper filing system.

4. Communication of Health Information

• To protect privacy, the Student Health Center does not discuss confidential health information via email.
• Students will be contacted through secure messaging in the Practice Fusion Patient Portal for appointment details, test results, and follow-ups (starting Fall 2025).
• Phone communication will only be used for general reminders or when secure messaging is unavailable.

5. Parental Notification

• For students over 18, parents or guardians will not be notified of medical visits unless the student provides written consent or in cases of emergency.
• For students under 18, limited information may be disclosed to parents in accordance with state laws and university policies.

6. Privacy in the Clinic

• Discussions between students and health providers take place in private settings to maintain confidentiality.
• Students are encouraged to discuss concerns about their privacy with health center staff at any time.

By using the Student Health Center’s services, students acknowledge their right to privacy and the center’s commitment to protecting their health information.