Confidentiality

Student Health Services is dedicated to providing quality care in a private and confidential setting. HIPAA is a federal law that carefully protects private health information. Both HIPAA and the ethics of the physician/patient relationship guard each student’s privacy. No private health information can be given to Deans, professors, parents, significant others, friends, or other health providers without the explicit written consent of the student.

Please download the Authorization for Release of  Health Information form that must be completed for Student Health to discuss your health history with any other person. Please download the Authorization for Release of Health Information To Xavier University form to request medical information be sent to our clinic (e.g., old records, immunization records). The patient also has the right to revoke communication at any time. To do so, please download the Revocation of Authorization form. After filling out any of these forms, they should be brought to the SHC so they can become part of your record.

HIPAA does have a clause that allows for notification of next of kin in cases of emergency or life-threatening situations.

Medical Excuse Policy

Student Health Services does not provide excuses for everyday illnesses (such as colds) that may lead to missed classes or incomplete assignments. Xavier University expects that students are honest with their professors regarding their ability to complete work, and professors are expected to work with students on these issues.

In cases of more serious illness or injury, especially those that would require prolonged bed rest or hospitalization of three days or more, Student Health Services (with the student’s permission) will notify the student’s academic dean of the student’s illness so that the professors can be formally informed of the situation.

The following guidelines must be met for a student to receive a return to class note when absent from class due to illness/injury:

1) Students must call Student Health Services, prior to class on the day of illness/injury. This call will be documented by the staff in Student Health Services. In order to obtain a Return to Class note, the student must be seen by the physician or nurse practitioner in Student Health Services within 24 hours of notification.

2) Notes will only be given at the time of illness/injury, not at the end of the semester for an earlier illness/injury.

3) The academic dean will be notified via email by Student Health Services of absences of (3) three days or more with the student’s permission.

4) Students must request a Return to Class note from the provider who treated them for their illness/injury. Student Health Services providers will not issue a Return to Class note if they were not the treating provider.