Preventative Medicine

UniSR Preventive Medicine Service

The work done for years by the Preventive Medicine Service at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University has been a key component in safeguarding the Health and Safety in the University and Hospital setting. The work is not limited to the duties laid out by the Legislation but is also comprised of a continuous prevention, supervision and promotion of a common safety philosophy.

Using specific medical visits, timed preventive measures and risks monitoring, the Service works daily to prevent critical issues and safeguard the well-being of those that study and work inside the University. Strategically working behind the curtain to guarantee a safe work environment, public safety protection and plays a major role in the smooth operation of clinical and academic activities.

The Service program and perform medical check-ups following the active legislative measures and in lines with the activities ascribed to the Occupational Physicians (D.Lgs. 81/2008) and to the Occupational Physician (specialized in radiation medicine) (D.Lgs. 101/2020).

• The Legislative Decree 81/2008 - Consolidation Law on Occupational Health and Safety – establish that the Health Surveillance is mandatory for all the workers and equivalents (e.g. pre and post graduate students) for whom the Risk Assessment Document determine an exposure to a certain risk.
  The Decree also establish that the students of universities and other educational institutions are considered equivalent to employees in regard to exposure to biological/chemical/radiological risk, and therefore the Health Surveillance is also compulsory for them
• The Legislative Decree 101/2020 protocol the health surveillance for all the workers exposed to ionizing radiation, introducing the role of the Occupational Physician (specialized in radiation medicine). In these cases, we call it medical surveillance and some specialized medical visits are required to safeguard the personnel working with X-Ray sources or machines.

The employer, by way of the Health and Safety Service and the Occupational Physician, is required to implement all the necessary measures to guarantee a safe workplace.
​​​​​​​Both students and workers have an active important role in assisting the Employer in this task. The best way for both to fulfil this obligation is for them to be present for the regular medical check-ups, attend training courses in an active, constructive spirit and make a correct and constant use of Personal Protective Equipment.

The main activities are:

• Preventive Medical Visit

Evaluate the eligibility of workers and student-equivalents before the start of the practical activities, with the purpose of eliminating possible limitations regarding a specific task

• Periodic Medical Visit

Checks across a period of time the health condition of those exposed to risks and confirm or revaluate the eligibility to work

• Tuberculosis Screening

Implementation of a Quantiferon blood test to detect early cases of either a latent or an active tuberculosis. This check-up is essential for managing the tuberculosis, particularly in high-risk groups.

• Vaccine prophylaxis for Hepatitis B Virus

Implementation of serology test to detect the presence of immunity and, if necessary, a new vaccination is recommended and planned. In the context of Occupational Medicine, the vaccine against Hepatitis B is highly recommended, especially for those with an occupational hazard.  

• Managing medical radiation protection

Mandatory health surveillance for all the workers exposed to ionizing radiation, as illustrated in the Legislative Decree 101/2020

• Post-exposure controls

Medical check-ups following an exposure to communicable diseases (infective, contagious, exanthematous)

• Diagnosing and Managing of statement regarding occupational illnesses