N.J. Admin. Code § 8:43D-15.4

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 12, June 17, 2024

Section 8:43D-15.4 - Employee health and resident policies and procedures for infection prevention and control

(a) A pediatric community transitional home shall require all personnel who provide direct care to residents, which include those employed by, hired under contract with, and who volunteer at, a facility, to be tested upon employment for Tb infection using either a two-step Mantoux tuberculin skin test or an IGRA in accordance with the publication cited at 8:43D-15.2(a)3.

1. A facility's medical director may grant personnel a written exemption from the requirements at (a) above consistent with the facility's infection control policies and procedures and the guidance cited at 8:43D-15.2(a)3.

i. The facility shall maintain a record of this exemption on site.

ii. Prior to beginning work, and annually thereafter, the facility shall require personnel exempt from Tb testing to submit a signed written statement from a primary care provider advising that the person exhibits no sign of active Tb disease.

2. A facility shall maintain the results of Mantoux tuberculin skin tests and/or IGRAs for all personnel tested.

(b) Questions regarding tuberculosis control may be directed to:

New Jersey Department of Health

Tuberculosis Program

PO Box 369

Trenton, NJ 08625-0369

(609) 588-7522

(c) A pediatric community transitional home shall require all personnel who provide direct care to residents, which include those employed by, hired under contract with, and who volunteer at, a facility, to be tested upon employment for exposure to measles and rubella, and to receive vaccinations for the same, in accordance with Immunization of Health-Care Personnel: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), MMWR, November 25, 2011, 60(RR7), 1-45.

(d) If a communicable disease prevents the employee from working for a period of more than three days, a primary care provider's statement approving the employee's return shall be required prior to the employee's return to work.

(e) The facility shall develop and implement procedures for the care of employees who become ill while at work or who have a work-related accident and volunteers who became ill or have an accident while volunteering their time.

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

(g) High-level disinfection techniques shall be used for all reusable respiratory therapy equipment and instruments that touch mucous membranes.

(h) Disinfection procedures for items that come in contact with bedpans, sinks, and toilets shall conform to facility established protocols for cleaning and disinfection.

(i) Facility staff shall encourage handwashing prior to meal time and provide all residents an opportunity to wash their hands before each meal.

1. Staff shall wash their hands before each meal and before assisting residents with eating.

(j) Personnel who have had contact with resident excretions, secretions, or blood, whether directly or indirectly, in activities such as performing a physical examination, providing catheter care, and emptying bedpans, shall wash their hands with soap and warm water for between 10 and 30 seconds or use other effective sanitation techniques immediately after such contact.

(k) Equipment and supplies used for sterilization, disinfection, and decontamination purposes shall be maintained according to manufacturers' specifications.

(l) The facility shall maintain records documenting communicable diseases contracted by employees during employment or residents during their stay in the facility and complete required reporting, as specified at 8:57-1.3(a) and (b), 2 or 5, as applicable.

(m) Employees as well as volunteers who have signs or symptoms of a communicable disease shall not be permitted to perform functions that expose residents to risk of transmission of the disease.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:43D-15.4

Amended by 48 N.J.R. 2336(a), effective 11/7/2016