Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 111 - RULES OF DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH
Chapter 111-8 - HEALTHCARE FACILITY REGULATION
Subject 111-8-22 - END STAGE RENAL DISEASE FACILITIES
Rule 111-8-22-.16 - Infection Control

Universal Citation: GA Rules and Regs r 111-8-22-.16

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through September 23, 2024

(1) The facility shall have an infection control committee composed of at least the facility administrator, a physician, and a registered nurse. The infection control committee shall develop and implement policies and procedures for preventing and controlling hepatitis and other infections at the facility, including but not limited to:

(a) Operational procedures for the prevention of the spread of infectious diseases, including identification of job classifications or work areas or tasks requiring the use of protective barriers and other universal precautions as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control;

(b) Procedures for facility-wide surveillance and reporting of infections, to include mechanisms for tracking infection rates and suspected pyrogenic reactions;

(c) Procedures for the safe handling of waste and contaminants, including the safe disposal of sharps;

(d) Specific procedures for the sterilization and disinfection of equipment, including dialysis machines;

(e) Procedures for maintaining a safe and clean physical environment;

(f) Procedures for the prevention of contamination by blood and other body fluids of facility areas outside the dialysis and dialyzer reprocessing areas;

(g) Procedures for prevention of cross-contamination in storage and treatment areas and in the dialyzer reprocessing area, if applicable;

(h) Procedures for providing dialysis for patients testing positive for hepatitis B surface antigen or other bloodborne infectious diseases as outlined by the CDC in its current guidelines for infection control in dialysis centers, including reservation or special disinfection of dialysis equipment;

(i) Procedures for providing dialysis for patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis or other active airborne infectious disease;

(j) Procedures for the protection of patient clothing, blankets, or other personal articles during the time when blood lines are opened or needles inserted or withdrawn; and

(k) Procedures for the investigation of infections.

(2) Reports of infections such as bacterimia, septicemia, hepatitis, any wound that may allow for cross-contamination of patients and any suspected pyrogenic reactions and other communicable diseases of patients shall be made to the infection control committee through established mechanisms, and noted in patient files. Reports maintained by the infection control committee shall include documentation of efforts to determine the origin of the infection, and, where the dialysis procedure or environment was found to be related to the transmission of the infection, shall include documentation of the actions taken to prevent recurrence.

(3) Facility policies and procedures shall require that all employees be tested upon employment and that attending physicians and physician extenders, be tested at the time privileges are granted for hepatitis B virus and tuberculosis infection and any other infectious diseases which the Centers for Disease Control have deemed to be endemic to the area served. The facility policy and procedures shall also require all employees, attending physicians and physician extenders to be tested for the diseases listed herein at least annually and when the health and safety of the patients require it. The facility shall have a mechanism for monitoring the health status of employees and referring for health evaluations and treatments as necessary to ensure the safety of patients.

(4) Dialysis patients shall be tested initially and at least annually for the presence of Hepatitis B surface antigen, and for tuberculosis and any other infectious diseases which the Centers for Disease Control have deemed to be endemic to the area served, to determine the need for special treatment precautions and surveillance of the infection. Results of the screenings, as well as any refusals to submit to such testing signed by the patient, shall be included in the patient's medical record.

O.C.G.A. § 31-44-3.

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