8.15 / Tuberculosis Prevention and Control

Effective: October 01, 2006Last Revised: October 01, 2011

  1. Purpose

    The purpose of this statement is to set forth University policy with regard to the implementation of a tuberculosis prevention and control plan at the University in compliance with state law.

  2. Preamble

    The Kansas Legislature has passed legislation and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has promulgated implementing regulations imposing requirements for college and university students who were born in or lived in or traveled in countries certified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as areas where tuberculosis is a health risk. See K.S.A. 65-129e and K.S.A. 65-129f.

  3. Policy

    1. The Student Health Center shall communicate and update information to the University community about countries which have been identified as a country where tuberculosis is a health risk.

    2. The Director of the Student Health Center shall be responsible for implementing the requirements of K.S.A. 65-129e and K.S.A. 65-129f and rules and regulations promulgated by the secretary of health and environment and shall be the designated official responsible for the oversight and implementation of the University's Tuberculosis (TB) Prevention and Control Plan.

    3. The University's Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Plan shall include the following elements:

      1. Each "high-risk"student shall be subject to evaluation and testing prior to attending any class at Wichita State University.

      2. Evaluation and testing may include one or more of the following components, as determined to be necessary by officials at the Student Health Center:

        1. Tuberculin skin testing;
        2. interferon gamma release assay;
        3. chest radiograph
        4. sputum evaluation;
        5. physical exam; or
        6. review of signs of symptoms.

      3. A "high-risk" student is any undergraduate or graduate student enrolled at Wichita State University who meets any of the following conditions:

        1. Has signs and symptoms of active Tuberculosis;
        2. Has been in contact with a person who has been diagnosed with active Tuberculosis; or
        3. Has traveled, resided in for more than three (3) months, or was born in any country where Tuberculosis is endemic.

      4. The Student Health Center will notify the Kansas Department of Health and Environment if any student is found to have Tuberculosis infection or active Tuberculosis disease.

      5. The Student Health Center shall keep and maintain Tuberculosis evaluation records for each high-risk student.

      6. The Student Health Center will provide the Vice President for Student Affairs with a report at the end of each semester regarding the number of "high-risk" students that were identified during the semester.

    4. University students who fail to comply with requirements implemented by the Student Health Center in accordance with this policy statement shall be subject to administrative withdrawal from classes at the University.

    5. Students are responsible for costs associated with any required evaluation.

  4. Implementation

    This policy shall be included in the WSU Policies and Procedures Manual and shared with appropriate constituencies of the University.

    The Vice President for Student Affairs shall have primary responsibility for publication, dissemination and implementation of this University policy.