1. (a) The NEWCC shall develop and implement 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 universal precautions;
   3. (3) The management of patients with infectious or contagious diseases or illnesses;
   4. (4) The handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of those items specified as infectious waste in Env-Sw 103.28 and regulated by Env-Sw 904; and
   5. (5) Reporting of infectious and communicable diseases as required by He-P 301.
3. (c) The NEWCC shall appoint an individual who will oversee the development and implementation of the infection control program.

4. (d) 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 universal precautions.
5. (e) Personnel infected with a disease or illness transmissible through food, fomites, or droplets, shall not prepare food or provide direct care in any capacity until they are no longer contagious as determined by a licensed practitioner.
6. (f) Personnel infected with scabies or lice or pediculosis shall not provide direct care to patients until such time as they are no longer infected as determined by a licensed practitioner.
7. (g) Pursuant to RSA 141-C, personnel with a newly positive Mantoux tuberculosis skin test or a diagnosis of suspected active pulmonary or laryngeal tuberculosis shall be excluded from the NEWCC until a diagnosis of tuberculosis is excluded or until the person is receiving tuberculosis treatment and has been determined to be non-infectious by a licensed practitioner.
8. (h) Personnel and staff with an open wound who prepare food or provide direct care in any capacity shall cover such wound at all times by an impermeable, tight-fitting, and durable bandage with secure edges.
9. (i) The licensee shall immunize all consenting personnel for influenza and report immunization data to the department’s immunization program.
10. (j) If the NEWCC has an incident of an infectious disease reported in He-P 806.20(b)(5), the facility shall contact the public health nurse in the county in which the facility is located and follow the instructions and guidance of the nurse.
11. (k) The licensee shall have available space, supplies, and equipment for proper handling of suspected or actual infectious conditions.
12. (l) The licensee shall require that licensed practitioners evaluate all patients at risk for an infection or communicable disease to ensure the detection or presence of same.

13. (m) The administrator shall appoint an infection control officer who shall:

    1. (1) Receive reports of communicable and infectious diseases; and
    2. (2) Report to the director of the division of public health services all diseases for which reporting is required under RSA 141-C.
14. (n) The licensee shall have a policy requiring employees to make a report to the infection control officer if the employee suspects that they, another employee, or patient has a communicable disease.
15. (o) The NEWCC shall develop and implement a point of care testing policy, if they provide POCT, that educates and provides procedures for the prevention, control, and investigation of infectious and communicable diseases.
16. (p) If equipment needs to be cleaned in order to prevent contamination, the NEWCC shall develop and maintain written procedures for safe and effective cleaning of the equipment.
17. (q) The licensee shall identify, track, and report infections and process measures, as required by RSA 151:33 and He-P 309.

Source. #9655, eff 2-13-10, EXPIRED: 2-13-18 New. #12674, INTERIM, eff 11-19-18, EXPIRED: 5-20-19 New. #12795, eff 5-30-19; ss by #13987, eff 5-30-24 (formerly He-P 806.19)