Protect Purdue Health Center Overview

Who is eligible to utilize the Protect Purdue Health Center?

All West Lafayette faculty, staff and students — as well as family members of faculty and staff directly affiliated with the West Lafayette campus — can utilize PPHC at no cost.

When should I contact the Protect Purdue Health Center?

If you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you should immediately contact the Protect Purdue Health Center at 765-496-INFO (4636) or toll-free at 1-833-571-1043 (press option 1).

How do I contact the Protect Purdue Health Center?

You may contact PPHC 24/7 at 765-496-INFO (4636) or toll-free at 1-833-571-1043 (press option 1) to connect with a registered nurse case manager.

Why should I contact the Protect Purdue Health Center?

Being a part of the Boilermaker community means that each of us must take extraordinary steps to stay well and persistently protect each other, on campus and in the community. We expect all faculty, staff and students to work with the PPHC to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 and to protect the health of the entire campus community.

It is critically important that all students, faculty members and staff monitor and report any COVID-19-related symptoms to the PPHC.

Even if you choose to seek health care outside the PPHC, it is still important to contact the PPHC.

What is the process when I contact the Protect Purdue Health Center?

  • A PPHC nurse case manager will speak with you and determine a course of care. They will guide individuals based on the approved medical protocols for Purdue University.
  • If it is determined that further healthcare is necessary, PPHC nurse case managers will coordinate with on-campus or community health care providers to ensure the individual receives appropriate attention.
  • When testing is recommended, the nurse case manager will schedule testing and contact you with test results. 
  • If your test results are positive:
    • They will walk you through the next steps, discussing the quarantining/isolating options and process.
    • Connect you with the contact tracer team, who will discuss any close contacts you have had. The contact tracer team will reach out to those close contacts of anyone who tests positive. Please note, individuals contacted by tracers will not be made aware of the individual who tested positive.
    • They will continue to monitor your daily symptoms to ensure you do not need further care. If necessary, the nurse case manager will interact closely with the Purdue University Student Health Service (PUSH), Purdue’s Center for Healthy Living and/or outside medical providers to help manage care and treatment.
    • They will also assist with return to work or school processes, providing documentation if necessary.

What happens if I test positive for COVID-19?

Dedicated nurse case managers from the Protect Purdue Health Center will provide guidance and help coordinate next steps for individuals who test positive for COVID-19. Positive individuals will be required to self-isolate and be on campus or participate in public activity for any reason until they receive medical clearance from the Protect Purdue Health Center. Contact tracers will identify and, when necessary, contact individuals who have been in high-risk close contact with someone who has tested positive. Academic case managers will be assigned to students who test positive to help ensure they don’t fall behind academically.

The case manager will work with the individual through the entire process to ensure a safe return to work or the classroom.

All positive tests are reported to the CDC by the Department of Health or the laboratory processing the test. To protect your personal health information, please do not email or call, or post on social media your test results.

Is there a cost associated with the PPHC?

No. Testing and case management associated with PPHC is free for students, employees and family members of faculty and staff directly affiliated with the West Lafayette campus.

Will PPHC provide treatment if I test positive?

If an individual tests positive, PPHC nurse case managers will continue to monitor the individual while in isolation. If it is determined that further healthcare is necessary, PPHC will help coordinate care for the individual. Get more information about quarantine and isolation.

Do I have to use the PPHC? Can I seek treatment from my own physician or preferred medical facility?

We are asking all faculty, staff and students to work through the PPHC. If you utilize your own physician, you should still work with the PPHC for the purposes of contact tracing.