STUDENT HEALTH SERVICE

The mission of the SFSU Student Health Service (SHS) is to encourage students to take responsibility for their health and to complement the academic mission of the university by providing unified services that are comprehensive, accessible, and result in a healthy campus environment. This purpose is pursued by the following goals:

By providing high quality, accessible, cost effective outpatient ambulatory health care services that meet the needs of the students along with preventive health care and educational programming which complement primary medical care.
By providing a professional and positive atmosphere for meeting students' health care needs; and
By maintaining a program philosophy that is sensitive to student needs.

The Student Health Service is built below ground adjacent to the Psychology Building, directly across from Burk Hall in the northwest corner of the campus. All services are provided by highly trained and experienced, professional staff. Information, including medical records, is confidential and will not be released without a student's written permission except as required by law. The Student Health Service is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). This accreditation recognizes the health service's and staff's success in meeting the highest standards of outpatient medical care and services.

Primary Care Services. Enrolled students at any CSU campus are entitled to use the Student Health Service, which is supported by the Student Health Service Fee each semester. These services, which are provided at little or no cost to the students, include:

Emergencies and Urgent Care--Care for conditions needing immediate medical attention by a physician.

Medical Services--Practitioners see patients by appointment for evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of a variety of medical and health problems. Services also include the evaluation of possible sexually transmitted diseases, dermatologic and endocrinologic disorders, and care for patients with acute exacerbation of chronic health conditions.

Women's Services--Services provided include routine gynecologic care and concerns; contraception; sexually transmitted disease detection and treatment; morning after pill treatment; and pregnancy detection. Information, education, and counseling related to STD, pregnancy, contraception, and sexual assault are also provided.

Cold Clinic--Care is provided for recent onset of colds, sore throats and flu, and ear and sinus problems. The clinic also helps students learn to distinguish the difference between the common cold and complications of the common cold.

Immunization Services--Immunization for the prevention and control of common communicable diseases is available.

Pharmacy--Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications are available at the pharmacy at a reasonable cost. Prescriptions from providers outside the Student Health Service may also be filled at the pharmacy upon availability, and legibility of the prescription.

Nutrition Services--Individual appointments and group/classroom presentations are available on topics such as sports nutrition, weight management, eating disorders, vegetarian diet, nutrition assessment, and other nutrition-related topics.

Preventive Medicine--Provides health promotion, lifestyle and health assessment, patient education, and disease prevention programs. The department also offers a Health Resource Center with books, articles, pamphlets, and multimedia resources on a variety of health issues.

Psychiatric Services--Diagnosis of mental health issues and medication management.

Sports and Performing Arts Medicine--Provides diagnosis and treatment of sports and performing arts related injuries and overuse syndromes to athletes, dancers, musicians, theater artists, and other performing artists.

Specialty Care Services. In addition to primary care services provided, the following specialty care services are available (some with a nominal fee): pre-employment and travel physicals, elective immunizations, optometry services, UCSF preventive dental screening, colposcopy services, allergy and immunology clinic, skin clinic, wellness clinic, podiatry clinic, and men's health assessment clinic.

Operating Hours. During the academic year, the Student Health Service is open Monday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.; Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.; and Tuesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Only emergencies are treated from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Student Health Service is closed on official university holidays. In case of emergency, contact the Department of Public Safety at 338-2222 or dial 911.

Care to Non-Students. Emergency first aid services, advice, and referrals to community health facilities are available to all San Francisco State University staff, faculty, and visitors.

Health Insurance. Although the Student Health Service may meet the majority of ambulatory health care needs, it is strongly recommended that students have medical insurance coverage for major surgery, hospital care, laboratory, and other services since no overnight, weekend, or long-term medical care is provided on campus, and the university does not assume responsibility for payment of outside medical care including ambulance services. All international students (F-1 and J-1 visa holders) and all students living in student housing are required to have health insurance. For more information on how to select the appropriate insurance, stop by the Student Health Service for additional information.

Athletic Injuries. The State of California, the university, and the Associated Students do not assume or acknowledge responsibility for injuries to students incurred during participation in athletic training, competition, or other activities. Students participate in these activities voluntarily and assume the risks involved. Members of varsity athletic teams have supplemental coverage for injuries received while participating in intercollegiate athletics; the team physician must authorize all treatment and expenses incurred. Further details regarding the types and extent of medical coverage offered are available from the office of the Director of Athletics who administers the program.

IMMUNIZATION ReQUIREMENT

All new and readmitted students born after January 1, 1957 will be notified of the requirement to present proof of measles and rubella immunizations. This is not an admission requirement, but shall be required of students by the beginning of the second term of enrollment at any CSU campus. Proof of measles and rubella immunity shall also be required for certain groups of enrolled students who have increased exposure to these diseases.

Persons subject to these health screening provisions include:

New and readmitted students enrolling Fall 1986 and later;
Students who reside in campus residence halls;
Students who obtained their primary and secondary schooling outside the United States;
Students enrolled in dietetics, medical technology, nursing, physical therapy, and any practicum, student teaching, or field work involving preschool-age children, school-age children, or taking place in a hospital or health care setting. Proof of immunity may be submitted to the Student Health Service's business office during operating hours. A $5.00 administrative processing fee will be charged upon submission of this document. For students unable to obtain acceptable proof of immunity, the Student Health Service shall provide the measles and rubella vaccine during scheduled immunization hours. For more information, call the immunization information line at 338-6000, x9090.