Health Center

The staff at the Student Health Center is committed to providing quality health care for the students of Delaware Valley University. In order to accomplish this, we need accurate and up-to-date information, including required immunization records. This requirement is for both full-time first-year students and transfer students who are new to DelVal. Complete your required health forms online and upload required health and athletic documents through the DelVal Student Health Portal. Forms are due no later than August 1 for the fall semester (the deadline is January 10 for the spring semester).

Student Health Portal (Opened June 1, 2024 for new students)

• Student Health Forms
• Student Immunization Requirements

Questions regarding these forms? Please contact the Student Health Center at 215.489.2252, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. or see the Athletic Training website.

Waive or Enroll in the Student Health Plan

Insurance verification information must be done yearly. All full-time (12 or more credits) undergraduate students in the 2024 fall term must enroll or waive the University's annual health insurance. If you do not go online starting June 1st, 2024 and verify your insurance plan or enroll in the University plan by the deadline of September 6, 2024, you will be put on registration hold. See accordion item number one below, which is labeled Insurance and Health Forms.

IMPORTANT: You will be charged a $200 late fee if you register as a first-time full-time student by July 31, 2024, and fail to either waive the insurance or make approved arrangements to pay the premium by that date, or if you register full-time after July 31, 2024 and fail to either waive the insurance or make approved arrangements to pay for the coverage before your arrival on campus.

If you do not waive or enroll online by September 6, 2024, the charge of $1,999.00 for the annual insurance will remain on your account and you will be automatically enrolled in the health insurance plan. This charge is non-refundable.

Students who waived the University health insurance plan are able to enroll in the plan by providing a certificate of coverage to the University. The University must be notified of the loss of coverage within 30 days of the event.

*Rates are subject to change.

Click here to Waive or Enroll starting June 1, 2024

You will need to have your student ID number and current health insurance card. If your record is not found, try and use your ID number with the leading zero. If your record still is not found, please contact the Office of the Bursar for assistance.
Click here for the 2024-2025 Health Insurance Plan Information.

Sexual health issues are among the most important health issues facing young adults. Many of these issues carry with them the potential for significant and long-term consequences. Since many of these complications can be either avoided or minimized through some simple measures (education, risk reduction, behavior modification, routine examinations and testing), the Student Health Center strongly encourages students to take advantage of the services made available.

The Student Health Center offers a confidential, non-judgmental environment where students can come to address these important issues. To set up a consultation, please call the Student Health Center at 215.489.2252.

Check out Student Health 101, a free online magazine about student health!

Meningococcal Meningitis

Meningococcal meningitis is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial infection that attacks the brain and spinal cord. It can result in permanent brain damage, hearing loss, learning disability, organ failure or death.

Recent studies show that college students, especially first-year students living in residence halls, are at increased risk for meningococcal meningitis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommend that college students and their parents are educated about meningococcal disease and consider vaccination.

As of July 2002, the State of Pennsylvania passed a law requiring all university students to either get the meningitis vaccine or sign a declination statement.

Cold & Flu Remedies - Do you know what you're taking?

The idea that drugs sold without a prescription are, by definition, "safe" is a common misconception. Over-the-counter (OTC) remedies are available directly to consumers not because they are without potential side effects, but because the Food and Drug Administration believes the benefits of the drug outweigh its risks. Almost all medications pose some risk when taken injudiciously, such as when taken too often, in too high a dose, or with the wrong foods, alcohol or other medications.

• Cough Suppressants Dextromethorphan, available in both liquid and pills, is the most common form available. It is effective for temporarily relieving cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation as may occur with a cold or bronchitis. Examples include Robitussin DM, TheraFlu and Tylenol Cold. Dextromethorphan is generally well tolerated, but should not be taken if you are currently taking a prescription medication known as a Monamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI). These medications are generally used for psychiatric or emotional conditions. If you do not know if your drug contains a MAOI, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking this cough suppressant.
• Decongestants Pseudoephedrine is the most widely used oral decongestant. It is available in pills that either contain only this medication (Sudafed) or combinations of other products (Tylenol Cold, Advil Cold & Sinus). It is also found in many liquid remedies as well (Dimetapp). Common side effects include restlessness, light-headed feelings and insomnia. More rare side effects include irregular heartbeat, hallucinations and convulsions. People with heart disease, hypertension, glaucoma or an overactive thyroid gland need to be careful with this medication.
• Pain/Fever Relievers Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and Aspirin (Anacin, Bayer) are among the most widely used drugs in the world. These drugs are used for a variety of reasons. They are used in all age groups and are available in many forms. In addition to pain relief, these drugs have the unique ability to also act as anti-pyretics or fever reducers. Ibuprofen also has anti-inflammatory properties that make it an excellent medicine for muscle aches, strains and sprains. Because of all these benefits, it is very hard to find cold and flu remedies that do not contain any of these ingredients. Common side effects of ibuprofen and aspirin include heartburn or indigestion, stomach cramps and occasionally nausea. Gastrointestinal bleeding may occur, although this is usually only seen with prolonged use. In excessive doses, kidney or liver damage may occur. Acetaminophen is well tolerated by most people. Long-term daily use may cause kidney damage.
• Expectorants Guaifenesin is another commonly used ingredient found in many OTC cough and cold preparations, e.g. Robitussin, Triaminic and TheraFlu. Simply put, expectorants help make thick phlegm thinner, making it easier for the individual to expectorate his or her secretions. These medications work better in the presence of large amounts of clear fluids. Common side effects include dryness, nausea or stomach ache.
• Antihistamines Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton) and Clemastine (Tavist) are all "old generation" antihistamines. Newer antihistamines include Claritin, Allegra and Zyrtec. These medications are very effective at drying up loose secretions. These ingredients are often found in medications that are labeled as "p.m." or "nighttime formula," as they can be sedating. People with a history of asthma, glaucoma or prostate problems should be cautious with these medications. These medicines interact very poorly with other drugs, namely sedatives and MAOIs, and in the presence of alcohol.

Over-the-Counter Pitfalls

• Misdiagnosis Proper self-treatment starts with proper self-diagnosis, which can sometimes be very difficult. Misdiagnosis is especially dangerous if a drug controls your symptoms while the real disease goes undiagnosed and untreated. It's reasonably safe to treat yourself only if you have a highly familiar symptom or if your doctor has previously diagnosed the same problem. If your symptoms seem different or more severe than can be reasonably expected, seek medical advice.
• Inadequate Therapy The ability to buy a drug over-the-counter sometimes distracts patients from getting proper care. There are some medical conditions in which there are no suitable over-the-counter remedies. If you have a serious or chronic condition, ask your doctor what role, if any, OTC drugs should play in your therapy.
• Side Effects Many OTC drugs can cause unpleasant and, in some cases, potentially dangerous side effects. Learn to read labels so you will know what to look for.
• Overdoses The presumed safety of nonprescription drugs tempts some people to use more than what the label recommends. In some cases, even a moderate overdose can cause harm. Some people exceed the recommended dose because they want the potency of a prescription drug without getting the prescription. Overdoses can also occur inadvertently when people are taking multiple nonprescription drugs. Be careful!
• Overuse Frequent repeated use of some over-the-counter medicines can cause dependency. After the drug wears off, you develop "rebound" symptoms even more pronounced than the original ones. This can create a cycle of increasingly frequent drug use and worsening symptoms. Side effects may also become more pronounced or more serious with prolonged use.
• Drug Interactions Without professional supervision, you're more likely to take drugs that can interact adversely with other medications. Foods, drinks or dietary supplements can also complicate the use of a drug. Again, read labels or ask your pharmacist.

Helpful Hints

To help minimize the risks of OTC drugs:

• Don't treat yourself unless you have a familiar symptom or your doctor has previously diagnosed you with the same problem.
• Choose products based on the active ingredient and generally stick to single-ingredient products.
• Read package inserts and product labels carefully.
• Don't take drugs in higher doses or for longer than recommended.
• If you are generally sensitive to medications, consider starting at the low end of the recommended dosage.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions, and ask your doctor if you need to avoid any nonprescription drugs.

Health-Related Resources

• Travel health: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/
• Seasonal flu: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/
• Lyme disease: http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/
• Antibiotic use: http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/index.html

Community Resources

• Crisis hotline/suicide prevention: Lenape Valley 24-hour crisis hotline - 215.345.5327 or 800.499.7455
• NOVA (Network of Victim Assistance): Free and confidential services and 24-hour hotline for victims of sexual assault or other serious crimes - hotline 800.675.6900 or office 215.343.6543
• Penn Travel Medicine: consultation, travel-related immunizations and prescriptions - 800.789.7366
• Bucks County Health Department: HIV and free and anonymous Sexually Transmitted Disease testing - 215.345.3281; immunizations - 215.345.3344
• Narcotics Anonymous: 866.996.8444 or www.na.org
• Alcoholics Anonymous: 215.923.7900 or www.aa.org

Pharmacies

• ACME
  Doylestown Shopping Center - 215.340.1983
• CVS
  South Main St. - 215.230.1690
  Rt. 313 & Rt. 611 - 215.348.7803
  Rt. 202 & County Line Rd. - 215.997.2852
  Rt. 313 & Ferry Rd. - 215.340.2612
  West Butler Pk. - 215.822.5381
• Rite Aid
  Rt. 202 - 215.348.3200
  Doylestown Shopping Center - 215.345.1020
• Walgreens
  Rt. 611 & Street Rd. - 215.491.0728

This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review the notice carefully.

Personal Health Information (PHI)

Each time you visit the Delaware Valley University Health Center office and see a clinician (nurse or nurse practitioner), a record of your visit is made. Your medical record is comprised of information about your symptoms, examinations, test results, medications you take, your allergies and the plan for your care. There are state and federal laws to protect the privacy of personal health information (PHI) that is contained in your medical record.

Uses and Disclosures of Health Information

Treatment

All the clinical staff involved in your care will document in your record about your examination and the care planned for you. We will provide another physician or a subsequent health-care provider who is treating you with copies of various reports from your medical record that should assist him or her in treating you. We may also use health information about you to call you to remind you about an appointment or to follow up with diagnostic test results.

Regular health-care operations

The Delaware Valley University nurses and nurse practitioners may look at your health information to complete a quality assurance review to assess the care and results in your case and others like yours.

Secretaries need access to the entire medical record in order to file all components of the chart. Secretaries also assist students with insurance questions and may need to access the entire record in order to determine dates of service.

Other Disclosures

Business Associates

There are some services provided through contacts with business associates, most notably radiology and certain lab tests. To protect your PHI, we require the business associate to protect your information.

Communication with others

Health professionals, using their judgment, may disclose to a parent, guardian or any person you identify, health information relevant to that person's involvement in your care or payment related to your care. Because parents often call the Health Center about a student's visit, we require a student to give written consent or decline permission for the staff to share information with a parent or guardian who might contact us.

As required by Law

We may also disclose health information to the following types of entities but not limited to:

• Public Health authorities charged with disease prevention when required by law
• Law enforcement as required by law
• Courts and/or attorneys in accordance with a valid subpoena; we will attempt to contact the patient to verify permission
• National Security and Intelligence Agencies
• To avoid a serious threat to the health and safety of a person or the public
• The Privacy Policy restricts releasing information for non-medical purposes, including marketing by pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Authorizations to Release PHI

Medical records will be sent only with a written authorization at the request of the patient. Authorization forms that can be used for faxing or sending medical information are available at the Health Center. Only the minimum amount of information necessary to satisfy the needs will be sent. In the event of referring physicians, information will be exchanged with the specific verbal consent of the patient. Emergency situations and public-safety concerns are exceptions to the usual authorization process.

Patient Rights

You have the right to:

• Request a restriction on certain uses and disclosures of your information; we are not required to agree to your request. If we do agree, we will comply with your request unless the information is needed to provide you emergency treatment.
• Obtain a paper copy of the notice of information practices upon request.
• Inspect and obtain a copy of your health record.
• Request an amendment to your health records.
• Obtain an accounting or disclosures of your health information.
• Request communication of your health information in a certain way or at a certain location. For example, you may request us to mail test results to a specific address rather than call you.
• Revoke your authorization to use or disclose health information except to the extent that action has already been taken.
• To exercise any of your rights, please inquire at the reception desk. We may ask you to submit your request in writing.

Our duties are to:

• Maintain the privacy of your health information
• Provide you with a notice as to our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to information we collect about you through this notice
• Abide by the terms of this notice
• Notify you if we are unable to agree to a requested restriction
• Accommodate reasonable requests you have to communicate health information by alternative means or at alternative locations

Security

Privacy measures are designed to protect the confidentiality of PHI. All staff will observe the following rules:

• Staff will observe due diligence to avoid being overheard when discussing PHI.
• All records will be kept secured. When the Center is closed, it is locked and alarmed.
• Individual charts are either in locked file cabinets or a locked room.

Privacy Contact

The Privacy Contact for the Delaware Valley University Health Center is Meredyth VanVreede, director of student health services, 215-489-2252, who will monitor regulations changes, oversee staff training and enforce policy.

Enforcement/Complaint Process

Each employee must sign and date the "Notice of Privacy Policies and Procedures." Failure to adhere to the privacy policy or breach of confidentiality is grounds for disciplinary action. Any patient who believes his or her rights have been violated may contact The Director of the Student Health Center and Coordinator of the Wellness Center at 215.489.2252.

For More Information or to Report a Problem

We reserve the right to change the terms of this notice and our privacy policies at any time. Before we make an important change to our policies, we will update this notice and make it available in our waiting room and on our web site. You may complain to the Student Health Center Privacy Contact, the Delaware Valley University Privacy Official and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.

• Meredyth VanVreede, MSN, Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner, Director of Student Health Services
• Grace Scotto, MSN, Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner
• Kelly McGovern, BSN, Registered Nurse
• Kelly Hamilton-Hepner, Patient Care Coordinator