(a) Infection prevention and control policies and procedures.

1. (1) Infection prevention and control policies and procedures of a certified skilled nursing facility are governed by federal regulations at 42 C.F.R. § 483.80 and applicable subregulatory guidance issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

2. (2)

   1. (A) Each intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities, intermediate care facility, and noncertified skilled nursing facility shall establish and administer written policies and procedures for investigating, controlling, and preventing infections.
   2. (B) These policies and procedures shall be consistent with:

(i) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published guidelines on infection prevention and control applicable to long-term care facilities; and

1. (ii) Department of Health rules and guidance.
2. (3) Tuberculosis screening, testing, and treatment of facility personnel must follow the published joint recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Tuberculosis Controllers Association.

(b) Care and treatment of residents with contagious disease. Any facility caring for a resident with a contagious disease or diseases shall follow applicable Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and department rules and guidance on infection control or generally accepted clinical guidelines concerning treatment, consistent with orders and guidance from the facility medical director or the resident’s physician if attending.

1. (c) Communicable disease reporting.
2. (1) A facility shall report cases of communicable diseases to the department as required by State Board of Health rules.

3. (2)

   1. (A) Additional infectious disease reporting requirements for certified skilled nursing facilities are governed by federal regulations at 42 C.F.R. § 483.80 and applicable subregulatory guidance issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
   2. (B) These federal reporting requirements are in addition to the required reporting of communicable diseases to the department.

4. (3)

   1. (A) Under these licensing regulations, facility participation in the National Healthcare Safety Network, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracking system for healthcare-associated infections, is optional.
   2. (B) However, a certified skilled nursing facility may be required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to participate in or submit data to the National Healthcare Safety Network under 42 C.F.R. § 483.80 and applicable Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-issued subregulatory guidance.