N.H. Admin. Code § He-P 826.21

Current through Register No. 45, November 7, 2024

Section He-P 826.21 - Infection Control

(a) The SUD-RTF shall develop and implement an infection control program that educates and provides procedures for the prevention, control, and investigation of infectious and communicable diseases, to include:

(1) Proper hand-washing techniques;

(2) The utilization of universal precautions;

(3) The management of clients with infectious or contagious diseases or illnesses;

(4) The handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of those items identified as infectious waste in Env-Sw 103.28 and regulated by Env-Sw 904;

(5) The reporting of infectious and communicable diseases as required by He-P 301; and

(6) Maintenance of a sanitary physical environment.

(b) The infection control education program shall address:

(1) Causes of infection;

(2) Effects of infections;

(3) Transmission of infections; and

(4) Prevention and containment of infections.

(c) Personnel infected with a disease or illness transmissible through food, fomites, or droplets, shall not work in food service or provide direct care in any capacity without personal protection equipment to prevent disease transmission until they are no longer contagious.

(d) Personnel infected with scabies or lice shall not provide direct care to clients or work in food services until such time as they are no longer infected.

(e) Pursuant to RSA 141-C:1, personnel with a newly positive tuberculosis test or a diagnosis of suspected active pulmonary or laryngeal tuberculosis shall be excluded from the SUD-RTF until a diagnosis of tuberculosis is excluded or until the person is receiving tuberculosis treatment and has been determined to be noninfectious by a licensed practitioner.

(f) Personnel with an open wound who work in food service or provide direct care in any capacity shall cover the wound at all times by an impermeable, durable, tight fitting bandage.

(g) Each licensee caring for clients with infectious or contagious diseases shall have available appropriate isolation accommodations, equipment, rooms, and personnel as specified by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings," June 2007, available as listed in Appendix A.

(h) The licensee shall arrange for and document the immunization of all consenting clients for pneumococcal disease, as applicable, and all consenting personnel and clients for influenza in accordance with RSA 151:9-b and report immunization data to the department's immunization program.

(i) The SUD-RTF shall develop and implement a point of care testing policy, if they provide POCT that educates and provides procedures for the proper handling and use of POCT devices, as well as prevention, control, and investigation of infectious and communicable diseases.

N.H. Admin. Code § He-P 826.21

Derived From Volume XXXVIII Number 45, Filed November 8, 2018, Proposed by #12658, Effective 11/1/2018, Expires 11/1/2028.