STUDENT CONDUCT
AT THE CLINICAL EDUCATION CENTERS,
CLINICAL, AND HOSPITAL SITES

Patient Confidentiality

Students and residents are expected to maintain patient confidentiality at all times.  Patient problems should not be discussed in any public area where there would be the most remote possibility of being overheard.  In discussing patient problems, names of patients, relatives, attending physicians, or other identifying words should be avoided unless absolutely essential to the conduct of the case.

 Professional Attire

Students and residents are expected to dress in a professional manner whenever they are in the hospital, clinic, or CEC for any reason.  The following guidelines should be followed:

  1. Hospital Identification.  Official photo ID's must be worn by all students at Carle and Provena-Covenant.  The ID must reflect the appropriate clerkship location. 

  2. Lab Coats.   Medical students need to wear a short lab coat (residents wear long coats) and identification badge at all times. 

  3. Scrub Attire.  In compliance with infection control policy, scrubs should not be worn outside of, nor removed from, hospital premises.  Scrubs may be worn in surgery, the emergency room and for night call.  However, in the ER and patient areas, students must wear lab coats with nametags over the scrub attire.

  4. Grooming.  Mustaches, long hair and beards, must be clean, well trimmed and neat.  Hairstyles are expected to be conservative and in good taste as defined by the community.  Students with long hairstyles who render patient care should wear hair back off the face and neck.  This requirement ensures that long hair will not interfere with procedures or come in contact with the patient in course of treatment.

  5. Footwear.  Shoes must provide safe, secure footing, offer protection against hazards and be quiet for the comfort of patients.  Canvas or leather sport shoes (i.e., tennis shoes, running shoes are not considered to be appropriate professional footwear).  Hose or stockings MUST be worn at all times!

  6. General Attire.  Lab coats, uniforms, and street clothes shall be clean, neat, and moderate in style and appropriate for the type of work being performed.

  7. Clothing NOT Considered Acceptable Professional Attire.  The following items of clothing may not be worn under any circumstances:  halter tops, blue jeans, and tank tops.  A tie is expected for men when not in scrub attire.

  8. Cosmetics.  Use moderately.  Strong perfumes and after-shave lotions are to be avoided, as patients may be sensitive to these fragrances.

  9. Jewelry.   Should not be functionally restrictive, dangerous to employees or patients, nor excessive.  Dangling earrings, bracelets or necklaces can be tugged by confused or angry patients.