N.J. Admin. Code § 8:39-19.4

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 7, April 1, 2024

Section 8:39-19.4 - Mandatory general policies and procedures for infection control and sanitation

(a) The facility shall develop, implement, comply with, and review, at least annually, written policies and procedures regarding infection prevention and control which are consistent with the most up-to-date Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publications, incorporated herein by reference, including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Guidelines for Handwashing and Hospital Environmental Control;

2. Guidelines for Isolation Precautions in Hospitals;

3. Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in Facilities Providing Long-term Care to the Elderly;

4. Prevention of Nosocomial Pneumonia;

5. Prevention of Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections; and

6. Prevention of Intravascular Infections.

(b) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publications can be obtained from:

National Technical Information Service

U.S. Department of Commerce

5285 Port Royal Road

Springfield, VA 22161

Superintendent of Documents

U.S. Government Printing Office

Washington, D.C. 20402

(c) The facility shall comply with applicable current Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements.

(d) The infection control coordinator shall provide continuous collection and analysis of data, including determination of nosocomial infections, epidemics, clusters of infections, infections due to unusual pathogens or multiple antibiotic resistant bacteria, and any occurrence of nosocomial infection that exceeds the usual baseline levels.

(e) The infection control coordinator shall make recommendations for corrective actions based on surveillance and data analysis.

(f) The facility shall have a system for investigating, evaluating, and reporting the occurrence of all reportable infections and diseases as specified in Chapter II of the State Sanitary Code (N.J.A.C. 8:57-1 ).

(g) The facility shall maintain listings of all residents and personnel who have reportable infections, diseases, or conditions.

(h) The facility shall document evidence of annual vaccination against influenza for each resident, in accordance with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control most recent to the time of vaccination, unless such vaccination is medically contraindicated or the resident has refused the vaccine, in accordance with 8:39-4.1(a)4. Influenza vaccination for all residents accepting the vaccine shall be completed by November 30 of each year. Residents admitted after this date, during the flu season and up to February 1, shall, as medically appropriate, receive influenza vaccination prior to or on admission, unless refused by the resident.

(i) The facility shall document evidence of vaccination against pneumococcal disease for all residents who are 65 years of age or older, in accordance with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control most recent to the time of vaccination, unless such vaccination is medically contraindicated or the resident has refused offer of the vaccine in accordance with 8:39-4.1(a)4. The facility shall provide pneumococcal vaccination to residents who have not received this immunization, prior to or on admission unless the resident refuses offer of the vaccine.

(j) The facility shall implement a policy for tuberculosis screening of all residents which begins prior to admission and concludes within 30 days following admission. If the admission screening is conducted through chest X-ray within three months prior to admission, the resident shall receive a two-step Mantoux skin test within three months after admission.

(k) If used, all reusable respiratory therapy equipment and instruments that touch mucous membranes shall be disinfected or sterilized in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention publication "Guidelines for Handwashing and Hospital Environmental Control," and with manufacturer's recommendations.

(l) Disinfection procedures for items that come in contact with bed pans, sinks, and toilets shall conform with established protocols for cleaning and disinfection, in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control publication "Guidelines for Handwashing and Hospital Environmental Control," and with manufacturer's recommendations. All resident care items shall be cleaned, disinfected, or sterilized, according to the use of the item.

(m) All residents shall be provided with an opportunity to wash their hands before each meal and shall be encouraged to do so. Staff shall wash their hands before each meal and before assisting residents in eating. Handwashing practices shall be monitored at least monthly by the infection control coordinator.

(n) Personnel shall wash their hands with soap and warm water for between 10 and 30 seconds or use other effective hand sanitation techniques immediately prior to contact with residents.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:39-19.4

Amended by R.2002 d.58, effective 3/4/2002.
See: 33 N.J.R. 2751(a), 34 N.J.R. 1040(b).
Added new (h) and (i) and recodified former (h) through ( l) as (j) through (n).