Ohio Administrative Code
Title 4723 - Ohio Board of Nursing
Chapter 4723-20 - Prevention of Disease Transmission
Section 4723-20-01 - Definitions pertaining to prevention of disease transmission and infection control

Universal Citation: OH Admin Code 4723-20-01

Current through all regulations passed and filed through September 16, 2024

For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

(A) "Aseptic technique" means practices used to reduce or eliminate microorganisms.

(B) "Exposure-prone activity" means an activity in which there is a risk of disease transmission by virtue of any of the following:

(1) Direct contact with a disease source that includes:
(a) Airborne transmission or droplet;

(b) Eating or drinking contaminated food or water;

(c) Being bitten by an insect or other disease carrying agent;

(2) Invasive procedure;

(3) Any other direct contact with disease source, including bodily contact; or

(4) Contact with contaminated environmental surfaces.

(C) "Hand washing" as that term is used in division (K)(1) of section 4723.07 of the Revised Code is a component of hand hygiene achieved by washing and rinsing hands with non-antimicrobial soap or antimicrobial soap and water, or by using alcohol-based waterless hand sanitizers or other antimicrobial agents.

(D) "Invasive procedure" means any procedure involving manual or instrumental contact with, or entry into, any blood, body fluid, cavity, internal organ, subcutaneous tissue, mucous membrane or percutaneous wound of the human body. If percutaneous injury occurs to a licensee or certificate holder during an exposure-prone activity, the licensee's or certificate holder's blood is likely to contact the patient's body cavity, subcutaneous tissues, or mucous membranes.

(E) "Respiratory hygiene" is an element of standard precautions that requires the licensee or certificate holder to engage in source control practices to control the spread of respiratory infection, including but not limited to:

(1) Covering coughs or sneezes, promptly disposing of used tissues, and performing hand hygiene;

(2) Source control measures, including but not limited to using masks on a coughing patient when tolerated and appropriate; or

(3) Spatial separation of patients and other persons with respiratory infections in common waiting areas when possible.

(F) "Universal and standard precautions" are infection prevention practices that apply to all patients, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status, in any setting in which healthcare is delivered, and include but are not limited to the following:

(1) Practices used to mitigate exposure to disease-causing agents when exposure-prone activity occurs;

(2) Hand hygiene;

(3) Disinfection and sterilization of equipment;

(4) Appropriate handling and disposal of needles and other sharp instruments; and

(5) Appropriate use of personal protective equipment, including wearing and disposal of gloves and other protective barriers or devices.

Effective: 2/1/2020
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 10/22/2023
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: ORC 4723.07
Rule Amplifies: ORC 4723.07
Prior Effective Dates: 10/01/1993, 04/01/1999, 02/01/2001, 02/01/2004, 02/01/2009, 02/01/2014

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Ohio may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.