16 Del. Admin. Code § 3230-9.0
Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 7, January 1, 2025
Section 3230-9.0 - Communicable Diseases9.1 General Requirements 9.1.1 The facility shall follow Division of Public Health regulations for the Control of Communicable and Other Disease Conditions and Centers for Disease Control guidelines for communicable diseases.9.1.2 The facility shall establish written policies and procedures implementing the Division of Public Health regulations and Centers for Disease Control guidelines for communicable diseases.9.1.3 The Rest Residential Home shall ensure that the necessary precautions stated in the policies and procedures are followed.9.1.4 A resident, when suspected or diagnosed as having a communicable disease, shall be placed on the appropriate precautions as recommended for that disease by the Centers for Disease Control. Residents infected or colonized with the same organism may share a room based on current standard of practice.9.1.5 The admission of a resident with or the occurrence of a disease or condition on the Division of Public Health List of Notifiable Diseases/Conditions within a Rest Residential Home shall be reported to the resident's physician. The facility shall also report such an admission or occurrence to the Division of Public Health's Health Information and Epidemiology office and the Division of Long term Care Residents Protection.9.2 Specific Requirements for Tuberculosis9.2.1 A resident diagnosed with active tuberculosis in an infectious stage shall not continue to reside in a Rest Residential Home unless that facility has a room with negative pressure ventilation and staff trained to care for residents requiring respiratory isolation.9.2.2 A resident of any facility unable to provide care as described above who is diagnosed with active tuberculosis in an infectious stage shall be transferred to an acute care hospital and the facility shall notify the Division of Public Health's Health Information and Epidemiology office immediately.9.2.3 The facility shall have on file the results of tuberculin testing performed on all newly placed residents.9.2.4 Minimum requirements for new employee tuberculosis (TB) testing require all employees to have a base line two step tuberculin skin test (TST) or single Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA or TB blood test) such as QuantiFeron. Any required subsequent testing according to risk category shall be in accordance with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Should the category of risk change, which is determined by the Division of Public Health, the facility shall comply with the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control for the appropriate risk category.9.2.4.1 No person, including volunteers, found to have active tuberculosis in an infectious stage shall be permitted to give care or service to residents.9.2.4.2 Any person having a positive skin test but a negative X-ray shall receive an annual evaluation for signs and symptoms of active TB if they cannot provide documentation of completion of treatment for LTBI (latent TB infection).9.2.4.3 Persons with a prior BCG vaccination are required to be tested as set forth in 9.2.4.9.3 Specific Requirements for COVID-19 9.3.1 Residents 9.3.1.1 All residents should be tested upon identification of another resident with symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or if facility staff have tested positive for COVID-19.9.3.1.2 All other resident testing should be consistent with Division of Public Health guidance for the duration of the public health emergency.9.3.1.3 All testing and test results must be documented in the resident medical record.9.3.1.4 Facilities must report all resident testing and test results, to the Delaware Division of Public Health.9.3.2 Staff, vendors and volunteers9.3.2.1 Prior to their start date, all new staff, vendors and volunteers must be tested in accordance with the Delaware Division of Public Health guidance.9.3.2.2 All staff, vendors and volunteers who test negative must be retested consistent with Division of Public Health guidance for the duration of the public health emergency.9.3.2.3 Facilities must report all staff, vendor and volunteer testing and test results, to the Delaware Division of Public Health.9.3.2.4 Facilities must follow recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Division of Public Health regarding the provision of care or services to residents by staff, vendor or volunteer found to be positive for COVID-19 in an infectious stage.9.3.2.5 Facilities shall amend their policies and procedures for communicable disease to include: 9.3.2.5.1 Work exclusion and return to work protocols for staff tested positive for COVID-19.9.3.2.5.2 Staff refusals to participate in COVID-19 testing.9.3.2.5.3 Staff refusals to authorize release of their testing results to the facility.9.3.2.5.4 Procedures to obtain staff authorizations for release of laboratory test results to the facility so as to inform infection control and prevention strategies.9.3.2.5.5 Plans to address staffing shortages and facility demands should a COVID-19 outbreak occur.16 Del. Admin. Code § 3230-9.0
24 DE Reg. 584( 12/1/2020) (Final)