New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules
He - Department of Health and Human Services
Subtitle He-P - Former Division of Public Health Services
Chapter He-P 800 - RESIDENTIAL CARE AND HEALTH FACILITY RULES
Part He-P 802 - RULES FOR HOSPITALS
Section He-P 802.22 - Infection Control

Universal Citation: NH Admin Rules He-P 802.22

Current through Register No. 40, October 3, 2024

(a) The licensee shall develop and implement an infection control program that educates and provides procedures for the prevention, control, and investigation of infectious and communicable diseases.

(b) The infection control program shall include written procedures for:

(1) Proper hand washing techniques;

(2) The utilization of universal precautions;

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

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

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

(6) Evaluating and revising the infection control program in accordance with current CDC recommended actions;

(7) Maintenance of a sanitary physical environment; and

(8) Infection control policies specific to each department.

(c) Education on the infection control program shall be completed by all personnel on an annual basis and address the:

(1) Cause of infections;

(2) Effect of infections;

(3) Transmission of infections; and

(4) Prevention and containment of infections.

(d) Personnel infected with a disease or illness transmissible through food, saliva, or droplets, shall not work in food service or provide direct care in any capacity without personal protective equipment until they are no longer contagious.

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

(f) Pursuant to RSA 141-C:1, personnel with a newly positive Mantoux tuberculosis skin test or a diagnosis of suspected active pulmonary or laryngeal tuberculosis shall be excluded from the workplace until a diagnosis of tuberculosis is excluded or until the personnel member receives tuberculosis treatment and has been determined to be noninfectious by a licensed practitioner.

(g) 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 and durable bandage with secure edges.

(h) The licensee shall immunize all consenting patients for influenza and pneumococcal disease and all consenting personnel for influenza in accordance with RSA 151:9-b and report immunization data to the department's immunization program.

(i) The licensee shall have available space, supplies, and equipment for proper handling of suspected or actual infectious conditions.

(j) The licensee shall require that licensed practitioners evaluate all patients at risk for an infection or communicable disease to ensure the detection or presence of same.

(k) The administrator shall appoint an infection control officer who shall:

(1) Receive reports of communicable and infectious diseases; and

(2) Report to the director of the division of public health services all diseases for which reporting is required under RSA 141-C.

(l) The licensee shall have a policy requiring personnel to make a report to the infection control officer if he or she suspects that a personnel member, including him or herself, or patient has a communicable disease.

(m) The licensee shall identify, track, and report infections and process measures, as required by RSA 151:33 and He-P 309.

#9580, eff 10-24-09

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