Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-4-3-.02

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 420-4-3-.02 - Definitions

When used herein, the following words and terms shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them except where the context prohibits.

(a) "Affected institution: means any health care facility at which the infected health care worker routinely and commonly practices.

(b) "CDC" means the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States Public Health Service.

(c) "CDC Recommendations" means the July 21, 1991, CDC document (MMWR, Volume 40. No. RR-8) entitled "Recommendations for Preventing Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis B Virus to Patients During Exposure-Prone Invasive Procedures" or equivalent guidelines developed by the Alabama Department of Public Health and approved by the CDC and any appropriate supplements or revisions thereto.

(d) "Department" means the Alabama Department of Public Health.

(e) "Expert review panel" (ERP) means a panel of experts in composition and function as defined in the CDC recommendations and appointed or approved by the Department.

(f) "Health Care Worker" (HCW) means any individual who provides or assists in the provision of medical, dental or nursing services regardless of whether that individual is formally licensed.

(g) "Hepatitis B Virus Infection" (HBV) means the presence of the hepatitis B virus as determined by the presence of hepatitis B e antigen for six months or longer or by other means as determined by the State Board of Health.

(h) "Hepatitis C Virus Infection" (HCV) means the presence of the HCV as determined by the presence of antibodies to HCV or by other means as determined by the rules of the State Board of Health.

(i) "HIV Infection" (HIV) means the presence of antibodies to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus as determined by enzyme immunoassay and Western Blot, the presence of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus as determined by viral culture, or other means determined by the State Board of Health.

(j) "Infected health care worker" (IHCW) means any HCW as defined in (e) who is infected with HIV or HBV as defined in (f) and (g).

(k) "Internal Department Review" means investigation by Department staff with advice and consultation of individuals and organizations with expertise in a specified discipline to determine if an IHCW performs invasive procedures.

(l) "Invasive Procedures" include digital palpation of a needle tip in a body cavity or the simultaneous presence of the HCW's fingers and needle or other sharp instrument or object in a poorly visualized or highly confined anatomic site.

1. Invasive dental procedures shall include those that provide the opportunity for an intraoral percutaneous injury to the dental HCW and could result in the blood of the HCW coming in contact with the blood or mucous membrane of the patient as adopted by the Board of Dental Examiners in rules developed pursuant to Section 11.

2. These procedures shall not include physical examinations; blood pressure checks; eye examinations; phlebotomy; administering intramuscular, intradermal, or subcutaneous injections; needle biopsies; needle aspirations; lumbar punctures; angiographic procedures; vaginal, oral, or rectal exams; endoscopic or bronchoscopic procedures; or placing and maintaining peripheral and central intravascular lines, nasogastric tubes, endotracheal tubes, rectal tubes, and urinary catheters.

(m) "Licensing Board" means the health professional licensing boards which are state agencies and which license and regulate specific HCWs such as the Board of Medical Examiners, the Medical Licensure Commission, the Board of Nursing, the Board of Dental Examiners and the Board of Podiatry.

(n) "Public law" means Public Law 102-141, Section 633, enacted October 28, 1991.

(o) "State Health Officer" as defined in the Code of Ala. 1975, Chapter 2, Section 22-2-8.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-4-3-.02

New Rule: Filed: November 18, 1994; effective December 23, 1994. Amended: Filed November 17, 1995; effective December 22, 1995.

Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIV, Issue No. 07, April 29, 2016, eff. 6/4/2016.

Authors: Charlotte E. Crysel, Director, Division of Infection Control, Alabama Department of Public Health, Mary G. Mclntyre, MD, Assistant State Health Officer for Disease Control and Prevention

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 22-2-2 (6), 22-11A-2, 22-11A-7, 22-11A-13, 22-11A-14(g), 22-11A-70.