Clinical Skills Lab (CSL) Policies
Isidore Cohn, Jr., M.D. Student Learning Center

 Attendance

1. Attendance at all scheduled CSLs is required.
2. Students who report late to the CSL will not be allowed to participate.  They will be required to attend another scheduled session or complete a research paper.
3. A completed pre-test is required for the medical student (ticket into class) to attend a scheduled or make-up session.  Students who fail to complete the pre-test will not be allowed to participate.  They will be required to attend another scheduled session or complete a research paper.
4. Students must turn in a completed pre-test with their name in the space provided. If a student copies the work of a colleague, both students will be subject to disciplinary actions.  
5. Students who are unable to attend their scheduled CSL due to prior commitments should make arrangements to switch labs with a classmate in another group.  An email must be sent to the CSL coordinator to confirm all changes. 
6. Students who fail to attend their scheduled CSL session for a family emergency or for medical reasons must email the CSL coordinator as soon as possible and request to attend another session. 
7. Due to scheduling difficulties, not all CSL sessions have make-up sessions.  Students who miss their scheduled session will be required to complete a research paper if no make-up session is available.
8. Students that miss a CSL session that has a required competency milestone to be evaluated and signed will be required to attend a competency make-up session.  Competency make-up session will be scheduled at the discretion of the coordinator.    

CSL Grading Policy

SPM 100 Pre/Post Test: (50% of total grade) 

When calculating the final grade for the SPM 100 CSL - total number of pre/post test questions yield a total of 113 possible answers.  Each answer is worth 0.885 points.  (113 x 0.885 = 100%)

SPM 200 Pre/Post Test: (50% of total grade)

When calculating the final grade for the SPM 200 CSL - total number of pre/post test questions yield a total of 120 possible answers.  Each answer is worth 0.834 points.  (120 x 0.834 = 100%)

SPM 100 and 200 Professionalism Score for the CSL: (50% of total grade)

Each student starts with a Professionalism Score totaling 100 points.  Below is a list of possible deductions for a student displaying poor professionalism. 

1. Missed scheduled CSL without prior notification or a Family/Medical emergency - 20 points deduction per event. 
2. Arrival to scheduled CSL late - student required to attend another group's session - 10 points deduction per event.
3. Reporting to the CSL without a completed pretest and remaining in lab session without notifying the lab coordinator - 20 point deduction per event. 
4. Failed to turn in CSL Competency Slip within 10 days after his/her scheduled session - 5 points deduction per event. 
5. All pretests must be completed online prior to scheduled lab session- 40 points deduction per event
6. Failure to complete a make-up assignment on time - 30 points deduction point deduction per event. 

Clnical Skills Lab Grade (20% of SPM Final Grade):

SPM 100 - There are 7 pretests and 1 group practical quiz over the duration of the year - all questions are of equal value. 

SPM 200 - There are 8 pretests and 3 group practical quizes over the duration of the year - all questions are of equal value. 

An average of 90 -100 is honors; 80 - 89 is high pass; 70 - 79 is pass; < 70 is fail. 

Competency Milestones Booklet

The competency milestones booklet must be brought to each lab that requires the student to be evaluated for competency and obtain required signature.  If the student fails to bring his/her booklet and/or get the required signature during their scheduled session, the student has 10 days from last scheduled session to obtain required signature.  If competency slip is not signed within 10 days, the student will be required to complete a research paper on a related lab topic. 

Missed Make-up Clinical Skills Labs

1. Students who fail to complete an assigned CSL will be required to write a research paper on a related topic.  The paper must be five to seven typed (doubled space) pages in length and have at least three (3) references cited.  Five multiple choice questions that relate to the research topic should be provided at the end of the paper.  The questions must be single best answer with five choices (‘all of the above’ or ‘multiple correct answer’ questions are not acceptable). 
2. The paper must be completed by due date assigned by the CSL coordinator or prior to attending the student’s next scheduled lab session. 
3. Further unexcused absences from the CSL are grounds to fail the SPM course.

BLS (AHA Healthcare Provider) Clinical Skills Lab (CSL)

The policy for current BLS (AHA Healthcare Provider) card holders: 

1. If a student’s BLS (AHA Healthcare Provider) card will expire before December 1st of their sophomore year, the student is required to attend BLS training in the CSL (CSL # 3).  This policy will insure that the medical student has a current BLS card throughout their medical education.
2. If a student’s BLS (AHA Healthcare Provider) card will expire after December 1st of their sophomore year, the student is not required to attend CSL # 3.  However, the student is required to complete CSL # 3 pre-test and provide a copy of their BLS card. 
3. All the above information must be given to the CSL coordinator prior to the student’s assigned SPM 100 CSL # 3.  If a student does not comply with the above course requirements, the student will be required to attend CSL # 3 or another AHA Healthcare Provider (BLS) course. 
4. All medical students are responsible for maintaining a current BLS (AHA Healthcare Provider) card throughout their medical education.
5. Students who are BLS Instructors may be asked to assist teaching their classmates in lieu of attending CSL # 3. 

Advance Cardiac Life Support Lectures (ACLS)

Attendance at the sophomore ACLS lectures and small group sessions is required for all students regardless of whether they have been previously certified.

LSUHSC Needle Stick Exposure Policy

In Case of Needle Stick Injury:

1. Wash and clean injury / flush mucous membranes immediately.
2. Assess Risk

   A. Charecterize exposure

   B. Evaluate exposure by medical history (see below link)

   C. Evaluate and test exposed individuals

3. Perform quick HIV test - This test is usually availible at your nearest hospital ER.  The rapid HIV test should be performed on the source patient.
4. Decide whether or not prophylaxis is needed. 

The decision to initiate post exposure prophylaxis is a clinical judgement.  For assistance, please contact the Center for Disease Control at 1-888-232-6348 or Dr. Angela McLean of Student Health (504) 525-4839 or Pager (504) 679-8257. 

LSUHSC Needle Stick Exposure Link:

http://www.lsuhsc.edu/no/organizations/campushealth/studenthealth/needlestickinjury.asp

The CSL Coordinator will communicate with students via email.  This includes notification of schedule changes, make-up labs or other course requirements.   

(Updated: 7/14/2010)