Crisis Management for Health-Related Issues

Kutztown University Policy STU-007

1. Purpose

   To provide protocols during health-related crisis situations. 

2. Scope

   The University Health and Wellness Center is accountable for meeting responsibilities to the following in times of health-related crises:  
   
   Students  
   
   Faculty and staff that may be impacted by the health-related issue.  
   
   Berks County and Lehigh Valley health agencies including Health Department, hospitals, etc.  The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and Commonwealth of PA agencies.

3. Keywords and phrases 
   

   none

4. Policy & Procedures
   
   Typically, health crises will come to the attention of the Health and Wellness Center staff through direct contact or consultation with another health care provider/agency.  

   1. Health Center Staff will immediately contact the Director of Health and Wellness Services.  

   2. The Director will:  

      1. Contact the agency for specific details and information regarding the health issue.

      2. Contact the Medical Director to inform and consult with them about the incident.

      3. Contact Medical Director and the Dean of Students to relate circumstances and subsequent actions that must be taken to protect students and others.  The Dean of Students will contact the Provost, Policy STU-007 Page 2 of 3 President, and Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs to disseminate information regarding the situation. 

   3. Campus Communication

      1. The Dean of Students or designee will meet with the Director and University Relations to develop a medically correct statement regarding the event and the University’s response. This statement will be distributed through KU Alert consistent with established protocols.  The Director of University Relations is the designated spokesman for the University and will also make ongoing reports to the Chancellor's Press Secretary and Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education institutions as necessary.

      2. The Director, in consultation with appropriate health agencies and the Medical Director, will develop detailed informational statements for distribution to students, staff, and faculty. 

      3. Campus informational meetings will be scheduled through the Dean of Students or designee.  The Director or designee will attend these meetings to reiterate information and answer questions.  Written information guides will be available for distribution at these meetings. 

      4. A campus hotline will be established from the Health and Wellness Center to deal with those phone calls requiring medical information rather than basic information.  The Health and Wellness Center staff will utilize written guidelines when providing this information. 

      5. Follow-up letters to students, staff, faculty, and Kutztown University families will be developed and distributed, as needed, through University Relations in conjunction with the Dean of Students or designee and the Director of Health and Wellness Services.
         
         Resource Pools

         1. The Dean of Students or designee will approve priority funding for the following as needed:

            1. Paper products, printing, etc., for distribution.  

            2. Medications or health supplies needed to manage the crisis.

            3. Clerical support within the Health and Wellness Center to direct calls, manage increased student visits, etc.  Policy STU-007 Page 3 of 3

            4. Emergency nursing staff through overtime and/or personnel pool to assist with increased student visits seeking medical evaluation/treatment.  

            5. Miscellaneous as needed. 

5. Effective Date:

   1994
   Revised 7/5/2007
   Revised 8/2018
   Revised 7/10/2019

6. Last Review

   August, 2010
   August, 2012
   August, 2013
   August, 2014
   August, 2015
   August, 2016
   August, 2018
   July, 2019