Rule 111-8-37-.12 - Infection ControlThe hospice must have an effective infection control program designed to reduce the transmission of infections in patients, health care workers, caregivers, families, visitors and volunteers.
(a) The hospice must develop an infection control surveillance plan that is tailored to meet the needs of the hospice and the hospice patients and includes both outcome and process surveillance.(b) The hospice must develop and implement effective policies and procedures that address infection control issues in all components of the hospice. These policies and procedures shall be based on accepted standards of infection control, approved by the administrator and the medical director, and shall address at least the following:7.Cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing patient care equipment;9.Handling, transport, and disposal of medical waste and laboratory specimens;10.Requirements for initial and annual health screenings for staff, including tuberculosis surveillance and required immunizations;11.Use of personal protective equipment and exposure reporting/follow-up;12.Work restrictions for staff with potentially infectious diseases;13.Evaluation of the patient and the home environment related to infection control risks;14.Outbreak investigation procedures;15.Dietary practices in hospice care facilities; and16.Reporting of communicable diseases, as required by law.(c) The infection control program must be evaluated at least annually to ensure effectiveness of the program related to the prevention of the transmission of infections to patients, health care workers, caregivers, families, visitors and volunteers.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 111-8-37-.12
O.C.G.A. §§ 31-7-170et seq.
Original Rule entitled "Infection Control" adopted. F. May 26, 2015; eff. June 15, 2015.