Student Health Services

ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICES
All students enrolled in classes at Eastern Kentucky University may utilize Student Health Services, which is supported by a portion of the tuition costs, for their health care. See the Student Health Services web site for more details regarding covered services (http://www.healthservices.eku.edu/). Students who have graduated and have a record on file may visit Student Health Services within 30 days of graduation in order to arrange for continuation of care and transfer of necessary medical records.

Change of Student Status
If a student withdraws from school, is suspended or expelled, they will no longer be eligible for services at Student Health Services. If the student has a record on file they may visit Student Health Services within 30 days of leaving the university in order to arrange for continuation of care and transfer of necessary medical records.

Minors
By Kentucky law, students under 18 years of age cannot be treated at Student Health Services without parental consent except in true emergencies. So that underage students with routine problems are not inconvenienced, parents are advised to write a general letter of consent for treatment at Student Health Service. Students should bring this letter of consent to Student Health Services the first time they seek medical care. A parental approval form is also available on line (http://www.healthservices.eku.edu/).

Summer Eligibility
Student Health Services is available for health care during the summer to any student enrolled in summer classes. EKU students not registered for classes in the summer months may utilize Student Health Services if they were registered in the spring semester and are pre-registered for the fall. This arrangement allows continuity of care for students during the summer months. Continuing students not enrolled during the summer do not pay the tuition cost that supports Student Health Services, and may be charged $10 per office visit at Student Health Services.

New students may utilize Student Health Services at no additional charge up to thirty days prior to the first day of classes if they become ill or are injured while on campus for a University sponsored event or conference.

OUTPATIENT CLINIC -
The SHS will is open from 8am to 5pm Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays; on Tuesday 8am to 6pm; and on Fridays, 8am to 4:30 pm, during the regular academic sessions. Staffed by physicians, nurses and certified medical assistants, it provides general medical care and preventive health education to students. All students are seen by appointment only. Walk-ins, except for emergencies, can no longer be accommodated. For appointments call 622-1761. There is no service after normal office hours. Pattie A. Clay Hospital Emergency Department (623-3131) and Instant Care Center (623-1950) are available for emergencies and urgent medical care when SHS is closed. This care is at the student’s expense. The SHS hours and staff are more limited during the summer sessions.

LABORATORY
There is a medical laboratory which offers most testing provided by a physicians office or a small clinic, i.e., urinalysis, urine cultures, throat cultures, blood glucose testing, tests for sexually transmitted diseases, mononucleosis, anemia, and pregnancy.
When more sophisticated laboratory tests are needed, students are referred to P. A. Clay Hospital. Charges for tests performed at the hospital lab are the student’s responsibility.

PHARMACY
All medications must be obtained from a local pharmacy. The cost of these medicines is the student’s responsibility. The Student Health Services is not a licensed pharmacy, and therefore, cannot fill prescriptions from physicians outside the Student Health Services.

TUBERCULOSIS SKIN TESTING - NEW HOURS in effect
TB skin testing will be available to students Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm. No appointment is necessary. Please call 622-1761 for details.

ALLERGY SHOTS- NEW HOURS in effect
Allergy shots will be given Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm. No appointment is necessary. It is the student’s responsibility to furnish the serum and written orders from his or her physician. Please call 622-1761 for details.

IMMUNIZATIONS NEW HOURS in effect

All immunization will be available Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm. No appointment is necessary.

Tetanus shots are administered at the SHS following certain types of injuries, as determined by the staff physician. Tetanus booster immunizations are recommended every 10 years, or more often with certain wounds.

Hepatitis B immunizations are available to students, at cost. These immunizations are strongly recommended for college age students. Please call the SHS for additional information.

Meningitis vaccine is available, at cost. This vaccine is highly recommended for 1st year students living in residence halls. Please call 622-1761 for additional information.

Flu vaccine is available annually for a small fee. It is highly recommended for students with chronic diseases of the lung, heart, or kidneys, diabetes or other debilitating medical conditions, women in the third trimester of pregnancy, immunocompromised individuals etc. Those allergic to eggs should avoid the Flu vaccine.

FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES
Family planning services are available through Planned Parenthood of the Bluegrass each Monday while SHS is open. They may be reached at 859-252-8494 for an appointment. The cost of these services is the student’s responsibility. The Madison County Health Department (623-7312) also offers family planning services.

Pregnancy tests are available at Student Health Services for confirmation of pregnancy. Prenatal care is not offered at the SHS. Once pregnancy is diagnosed, the student is counseled, and a referral to an OB-GYN is made.

MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC
A psychiatrist is available one day a week at the EKU Counseling Center. Students are seen by appointment only. Please call 622-1303 for information and appointments.

HEALTH EDUCATION
A variety of free pamphlets, booklets, and other materials are available at the SHS. Students may utilize the computer terminal with Internet access in the SHS lobby to look up health related topics of interest.

X-RAYS
When the SHS physician determines that an X-ray is required for proper diagnosis and treatment, the student is sent to Pattie A. Clay Hospital with an order. The cost of the X-ray is the student’s responsibility. An x-ray cannot be performed without a physician’s order.

AIDS
Students with concerns regarding AIDS should see a physician at the SHS for consultation. All information is kept strictly confidential. Students desiring AIDS testing may do so at the Madison County Health Department 623-7312.
Information on HIV/AIDS, including its signs and symptoms, ways of contracting it, and methods of avoiding it, are available at the SHS front lobby.