1. (a) The SRHCF shall appoint an individual who will oversee the development and implementation of an infection control program that educates and provides procedures for the prevention, control, and investigation of infectious and communicable diseases.

2. (b) The infection control program shall include written procedures for:

   1. (1) Proper hand washing techniques;
   2. (2) The utilization of standard precautions, as specified by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings,” (June 2007), available as noted in Appendix A;
   3. (3) The management of residents with infectious or communicable diseases or illnesses;
   4. (4) The handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of those items identified as infectious waste in Env-Sw 103.28 and regulated by Env-Sw 904; and
   5. (5) The reporting of infectious and communicable diseases as required by He-P 301.

3. (c) The infection control education program shall address at a minimum the:

   1. (1) Causes of infection;
   2. (2) Effects of infections;
   3. (3) Transmission of infections;
   4. (4) Prevention and containment of infections; and
   5. (5) Use of standard precautions.
4. (d) Personnel infected with a disease or illness transmissible through food, fomites, or droplets, shall not work in food service or provide direct care in any capacity until they are no longer contagious.
5. (e) Personnel infected with scabies, lice, pediculosis, or any communicable disease shall not provide direct care to residents or work in food services until such time as they are no longer infected.
6. (f) Pursuant to RSA 141-C:1, personnel with a newly positive tuberculosis test or a diagnosis of suspected active pulmonary or laryngeal tuberculosis shall be excluded from the SRHCF until a diagnosis of tuberculosis is excluded or until the person is receiving tuberculosis treatment and has been determined to be noninfectious by a licensed practitioner.
7. (g) Personnel with an open wound who work in food service or provide direct care in any capacity shall cover the wound at all times by an impermeable, durable, tight fitting bandage.
8. (h) If the SRHCF has an incident of an infectious diseases reported in (b)(5) above, the SRHCF shall contact the county, municipality, or state public health nurse as applicable, in which the facility is located and follow the instructions and guidance of the nurse.

Source. #8746, eff 10-25-06; ss by #10813, eff 4-21-15; ss by #14358, eff 8-28-25, EXPIRES: 8-28-35