16 Del. Admin. Code § 3355-8.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 3, September 1, 2024

Section 3355-8.0 - Infection Control

8.1 The FSSC shall establish and implement an infection prevention and control program which shall be based upon nationally recognized infection control guidelines/standards (i.e. CDC, AORN, etc.).

8.2 The FSSC must provide and maintain a functional and sanitary environment for surgical services, to avoid sources and transmission of infections and communicable diseases.

8.3 The FSSC must maintain an ongoing program to prevent, control and investigate infections and communicable diseases. As part of this ongoing program, the FSSC must have an active surveillance component that covers both patients and personnel working in the FSSC. Surveillance includes infection detection through ongoing data collection and analysis.

8.4 The FSSC must designate in writing, a qualified licensed healthcare professional who will lead the FSSC's infection control program. The FSSC must determine that the individual has had training in the principles and methods of infection control.

8.5 The individual designated to lead the FSSC's infection control program must develop and implement a comprehensive plan that includes actions to prevent, identify and manage infections and communicable diseases within the FSSC. The plan of action must include mechanisms that result in immediate action to take preventive or corrective measures that improve the FSSC's infection control outcomes. The plan should be specific to each particular area of the FSSC, including, but not limited to, the waiting room(s), the recovery room(s) and the surgical areas.

8.6 The FSSC's infection control program must be integrated into its quality improvement program. Infection control data and program activities are an ongoing component of the quality improvement program and actions are taken in response to data analyses to improve the FSSC's infection control performance.

8.7 Specific Requirements for COVID-19

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

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

8.7.3 Facilities 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.

8.8 The FSSC shall amend their policies and procedures to include:

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

8.8.2 Staff refusals to participate in COVID-19 testing;

8.8.3 Staff refusals to authorize release of testing results or vaccination status to the FSSC;

8.8.4 Procedures to obtain staff authorizations for release of laboratory test results to the facility to inform infection control and prevention strategies; and

8.8.5 Plans to address staffing shortages and facility demands should a COVID-19 outbreak occur.

16 Del. Admin. Code § 3355-8.0

25 DE Reg. 627( 12/1/2021) (final)