Current through Register Vol. 41, No. 3, September 23, 2024
A. The
assisted living facility shall develop, in writing, and implement an infection
control program addressing the surveillance, prevention, and control of disease
and infection that is consistent with the federal Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and the federal Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) bloodborne pathogens regulations.
1. A licensed health care professional,
practicing within the scope of his profession and with training in infection
prevention, shall participate in the development of infection prevention
policies and procedures and shall ensure compliance with applicable guidelines
and regulations.
2. The
administrator shall ensure at least an annual review of infection prevention
policies and procedures for any necessary updates. A licensed health care
professional, practicing within the scope of his profession and with training
in infection prevention, shall be included in the review to ensure compliance
with applicable guidelines and regulations. Documentation of the review shall
be maintained at the facility.
3. A
staff person who has been trained in basic infection prevention shall
participate in the annual review and serve as point of contact for the program.
This person shall be responsible for on-going monitoring of the implementation
of the infection control program.
B. The infection control program shall be
applicable to all staff and volunteers and encompass all services as well as
the entire premises .
C. The
infection control program shall include:
1.
Procedures for the implementation of infection prevention measures by staff and
volunteers to include:
a. Use of standard
precautions;
b. Use of personal
protective equipment; and
c. Means
to ensure hand hygiene;
2.
Procedures for other infection prevention measures related to job duties
include:
a. Determination of whether
prospective or returning residents have acute infectious disease and use of
appropriate measures to prevent disease transmission;
b. Use of safe injection practices and other
procedures where the potential for exposure to blood or body fluids
exists;
c. Blood glucose monitoring
practices that are consistent with CDC recommendations. When assisted blood
glucose monitoring is required, fingerstick devices shall not be used for more
than one person;
d. The handling,
storing, processing, and transporting of linens, supplies, and equipment in a
manner that prevents the spread of infection;
e. The sanitation of rooms, including
cleaning and disinfecting procedures, agents, and schedules;
f. The sanitation of equipment, including
medical equipment that may be used on more than one resident (e.g., blood
glucose meters and blood pressure cuffs, including cleaning and disinfecting
procedures, agents, and schedules);
g. The handling, storing, processing, and
transporting of medical waste in accordance with applicable regulations;
and
h. Maintenance of an effective
pest control program;
3.
Readily accessible handwashing equipment and necessary personal protective
equipment for staff and volunteers (e.g., soap, alcohol-based hand rubs,
disposable towels or hot air dryers, and gloves);
4. Product specific instructions for use of
cleaning and disinfecting agents (e.g., dilution, contact time, and management
of accidental exposures); and
5.
Initial training as specified in
22VAC40-73-120 C 4 and annual
retraining of staff and volunteers in infection prevention methods, as
applicable to job responsibilities and as required by
22VAC40-73-210
F.
D. The facility shall
have a staff health program that includes:
1.
Provision of information on recommended vaccinations, per guidelines from the
CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), to facility staff and
volunteers who have any potential exposure to residents or to infectious
materials, including body substances, contaminated medical supplies and
equipment, contaminated environmental surfaces, or contaminated air;
2. Assurance that employees with communicable
diseases are identified and prevented from work activities that could result in
transmission to other personnel or residents;
3. An exposure control plan for bloodborne
pathogens;
4. Documentation of
screening and immunizations offered to, received by, or declined by employees
in accordance with law, regulation, or recommendations of public health
authorities, including access to hepatitis B vaccine; and
5. Compliance with requirements of the OSHA
for reporting of workplace associated injuries or exposure to
infection.
E. The facility
administrator shall immediately make or cause to be made a report of an
outbreak of disease as defined by the State Board of Health. Such report shall
be made by rapid means to the local health director or to the Commissioner of
the Virginia Department of Health and to the licensing representative of the
Department of Social Services in the regional licensing office.
F. When recommendations are made by the
Virginia Department of Health to prevent or control transmission of an
infectious agent in the facility, the recommendations must be
followed.
Statutory Authority: §§
63.2-217, 63.2-1732, 63.2-1802, 63.2-1805 , and 63.2-1808
of the Code of Virginia.
