Legal Issues and Health Fairs

Know WesternU policies and procedures for setting up health fair events

1. Find a preceptor

   • Must be WesternU faculty or approved; active pharmacy license in state of CA. 

2. Fill out approval form 

   • Health screening and physical exams.

   • Must submit 4 weeks before event.

3. Meet with University Student Affairs to discuss and pick sign ups/waivers

   • Student participant list is submitted 1 week after the event.

   • Participant waiver forms are submitted 1 week after the event. 

   • Screening results forms is optional. 

4. Must have a health fair binder with student organizer at all times

   • Policies and procedures for all health fair screenings.

   • Copy of WesternU’s CLIA waiver

   • Participant waiver forms (signed by faculty/preceptor), participant results forms

   • Student/faculty sign-in sheets

Identify student roles at health fair events

1. Coordination/set up

   • Health fair process form available to facilitate.

2. Patient intake

   • Participant informed consent/waiver form

   • Separate form for minors - need a guardian co-signer

   • Deliver participants to stations.

3. Provide services, interpret results, counseling

4. Facilitating patient traffic

Interpret the general regulations regarding CLIA and CLIA waived testing.

CLIA regulates all human lab testing.

• CLIA waiver is for simple lab examinations and procedures that are FDA approved for home use. For methodologies that are simple and accurate.

• E.g., need waiver for blood glucose and cholesterol testing.

Explain how to participate in health fairs without violating federal, state or university requirements.

1. Consent forms and waivers

2. Parent/guardian signature for any minors

3. Only give suggestions within scope of practice

Explain how to convey an appropriate amount of info to participants after a screening.

• Communicate results with units. E.g., mmHG, mg/dL. Must give goal and guideline.

• Scope of pharmacy practice does not include diagnosing (B&P code 4052). 

  • Must say “may” or “might” when counseling; cannot give diagnosis.

Compare & contrast between WesternU sponsored vs. non-sponsored health fairs

WesternU sponsored

• WesternU Faculty 

• Submit approval form 4 weeks before

• Can have professionalism credit

Non-sponsored

• Preceptor: WesternU faculty / licensed

• Submit approval form 4 weeks before

• Need own professional liability insurance

Explain how to handle blood or bodily fluids using proper precautions.

1. Universal precautions and safe work; wear PPE (gloves, mask optional)

2. Use sharps containers and biohazard waste bags and dispose properly

3. Transport safely back to WesternU for disposal