16 Del. Admin. Code § 3380-7.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 5, November 1, 2024

Section 3380-7.0 - Infection Prevention and Control Program

7.1 The hospice program shall establish and implement an infection prevention and control program which shall be based upon Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other nationally recognized infection prevention and control guidelines.

7.1.1 The infection prevention and control program must cover all services and all areas of the hospice program, including provision of the appropriate personal protective equipment for all patients, staff and visitors.

7.2 The individual designated to lead the hospice program's infection prevention and control program must develop and implement a comprehensive plan that includes actions to prevent, identify, and manage infections and communicable diseases. The plan must include mechanisms that result in immediate action to take preventive or corrective measures that improve the hospice program's infection control outcomes.

7.3 All hospice program staff shall receive orientation at the time of employment and annual in-service education regarding the infection prevention and control program.

7.4 Specific Requirements for COVID-19

7.4.1 Before their start date, all new staff, vendors and volunteers must be tested for COVID-19 in accordance with Division of Public Health guidance.

7.4.2 All staff, vendors and volunteers must be tested for COVID-19 in a manner consistent with Division of Public Health guidance.

7.4.3 The hospice program must follow recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Division of Public Health regarding the provision of care or services to patients by staff, vendor or volunteer found to be positive for COVID-19 in an infectious stage.

7.5 The hospice program shall amend their policies and procedures to include:

7.5.1 Work exclusion and return to work protocols for staff tested positive for COVID-19;

7.5.2 Staff refusals to participate in COVID-19 testing;

7.5.3 Staff refusals to authorize release of testing results or vaccination status to the hospice program;

7.5.4 Procedures to obtain staff authorizations for release of laboratory test results to the hospice program to inform infection control and prevention strategies; and

7.5.5 Plans to address staffing shortages and hospice program demands should a COVID-19 outbreak occur.

16 Del. Admin. Code § 3380-7.0

25 DE Reg. 781( 2/1/2022) (final)