N.J. Admin. Code § 8:43J-15.3

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 11, June 3, 2024

Section 8:43J-15.3 - Infection control policies and procedures

(a) The facility shall develop, implement and review, at least annually, written policies and procedures regarding infection prevention and control that are consistent with the following:

1. Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health-Care Settings: Recommendation of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee and the HICPAC/SHEA/APIC/IDSA Hand Hygiene Task Force, published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report at MMWR 2002; 51 (No. RR-16), incorporated herein by reference published by the Coordinating Center for Health Information and Service, available at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5116.pdf and at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5116a1.htm; and

2. The standard precautions for Bloodborne Pathogens at 29 CFR 1910.1030, incorporated herein by reference.

(b) The written infection control policies and procedures of the facility shall include, but not be limited to, policies and procedures for the following:

1. In accordance with N.J.A.C. 8:57, a system for investigating, reporting and evaluating the occurrence of all infections or diseases, which are reportable or conditions which may be related to activities and procedures of the facility and maintaining records for all children or personnel having these infections, diseases or conditions;

2. Exclusion from work, and authorization to return to work, for personnel with communicable diseases;

3. Surveillance techniques to minimize sources and transmission of infection;

4. Techniques to be used during each child contact, including handwashing before and after caring for a child;

5. Protocols for identification of children with communicable diseases and education of children regarding prevention and spread of communicable diseases;

6. The prevention of diaper rash; and

7. Cleaning, sterilization and disinfection practices and techniques to be used in the facility, that address, but are not limited to, the following:

i. Care of utensils, instruments, solutions, dressings, articles and surfaces;

ii. Selection, storage, use and disposition of disposable and nondisposable child care items and the fact that disposable items are not to be reused;

iii. Methods to ensure that sterilized materials are packaged, labeled, processed, transported and stored to maintain sterility and to permit identification of expiration dates; and

iv. Care of urinary catheters, intravenous catheters, respiratory therapy equipment and other devices and equipment that provide a portal of entry for pathogenic microorganisms.

(c) The facility shall use disinfection techniques for all reusable respiratory therapy equipment and instruments that touch mucous membranes consistent with the Centers for Disease Control requirements in the Guideline for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities: Recommendation of the CDC Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC), 2003, incorporated herein by reference, as amended and supplemented, available at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/pdf/guidelines/Enviro_guide_03.pdf and manufacturer's specifications.

(d) The facility shall ensure that disinfection procedures for items that come in contact with bed pans, sinks and toilets conform with the Centers for Disease Control requirements in the Guideline for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities: Recommendation of the CDC Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC), 2003, and manufacturer's specifications.

(e) Personnel who have had contact with a child's excretions, secretions or blood, whether directly or indirectly, in activities, such as performing a physical examination, providing catheter care or changing diapers, shall comply with the handwashing standards at 8:43J-15.2(a) immediately after such contact.

(f) The facility shall maintain equipment and supplies used for sterilization, disinfection and decontamination purposes according to manufacturers' specifications.

(g) The facility shall ensure that all needles and syringes are disposed of in compliance with N.J.A.C. 8:43E.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:43J-15.3