16 Del. Admin. Code § 3335-5.0

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

Section 3335-5.0 - Infection Control

5.1 The facility must provide and maintain a functional and sanitary environment to avoid sources and transmission of infections and communicable diseases.

5.2 The facility shall establish and implement an ongoing infection prevention and control program which shall be based upon nationally-recognized infection control guidelines/standards (i.e. CDC, AORN, etc.) to prevent, control and investigate infections and communicable diseases.

5.2.1. The ongoing infection prevention and control program must:

5.2.1.1 Include an active surveillance component that covers both patients and personnel working in the facility.

5.2.1.1.1 Surveillance includes infection detection through ongoing data collection and analysis.

5.2.1.2 Include mechanisms that result in immediate action to take preventive or corrective measures that improve the facility's infection control outcomes.

5.2.1.3 Target its plan to be specific to each particular area of the facility, including, but not limited to, the waiting room(s), the recovery room(s) and the procedure areas.

5.3 Specific Requirements for COVID-19

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

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

5.3.3 The facility 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.

5.4 The facility shall amend their policies and procedures to include:

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

5.4.2 Staff refusals to participate in COVID-19 testing;

5.4.3 Staff refusals to authorize release of testing results or vaccination status to the facility;

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

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

16 Del. Admin. Code § 3335-5.0

25 DE Reg. 770( 2/1/2022) (final)