1. (a) The ESRDDC 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 standard precautions, as specified by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings,” (June 2007), available as noted in Appendix A;
   3. (3) The care and management of patients with infectious or contagious 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;
   5. (5) The reporting of infectious and communicable diseases as required by He-P 301; and
   6. (6) The prevention of cross contamination between patients, for the post treatment disinfection of machines and stations to provide a sanitary patient care environment.

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; and
   4. (4) Prevention and containment of infections.
4. (d) Personnel infected with a disease or illness transmissible through food, fomites, or droplets, shall not provide direct care in any capacity until they are no longer contagious.
5. (e) Personnel infected with scabies, lice, or any communicable disease shall not provide direct care to patients or prepare food until such time as they are no longer infected.
6. (f) Pursuant to RSA 141-C, personnel with a newly positive tuberculosis test or a diagnosis of suspected active pulmonary or laryngeal tuberculosis shall be excluded from the ESRDDC 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 provide direct care in any capacity shall cover the wound at all times by an impermeable, durable, and tight-fitting bandage.
8. (h) Each licensee caring for patients with infectious or contagious diseases shall have available appropriate isolation accommodations, equipment, rooms, and personnel as specified by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings,” (June 2007), available as noted in Appendix A.
9. (i) The licensee shall identify, track, and report infections and process measures, as required by RSA 151:33 and He-P 309.
10. (j) The licensee shall maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary environment, both inside and outside the facility.
11. (k) All furniture, floors, ceilings, walls, and fixtures shall be clean, sanitary, and in good repair.
12. (l) A supply of potable water shall be available for human consumption.
13. (m) A supply of hot and cold running water shall be available at all times and precautions, such as temperature regulation, shall be taken to prevent a scalding injury to the patients.
14. (n) Hot water shall be of a high enough temperature to ensure sanitation and food safety when used for laundry and food preparations.
15. (o) All patient bathing and toileting facilities shall be cleaned and disinfected as often as necessary to prevent illness or contamination.
16. (p) Cleaning solutions, compounds, and substances considered hazardous or toxic materials, as defined in RSA 147-A:2 VII, shall be distinctly labeled and legibly marked so as to identify the contents and stored in a place, such as a locked box, separate from food, medications, and patient supplies.
17. (q) Toxic materials shall not be used in a way that contaminates food, equipment, or utensils or in any way other than in full compliance with the manufacturer’s labeling.
18. (r) Only individuals authorized under RSA 430:33 shall apply pesticides, as defined by RSA 430:29, XXVI, in food storage, food preparation, or dining areas.
19. (s) Solid waste, garbage, and trash shall be stored in a manner to make it inaccessible to insects, rodents, outdoor animals, and facility pets.
20. (t) In-house trash and garbage receptacles shall be emptied in a timely manner and lined, or cleaned and disinfected, after emptying or when visibly soiled.

21. (u) Laundry and laundry rooms shall meet the following requirements:

    1. (1) Clean linen shall be stored in a clean area and shall be separated from soiled linens at all times;
    2. (2) Soiled linens and clothing which are considered contaminated with infectious waste under Env-Sw 103.28 shall be handled as infectious waste;
    3. (3) Soiled materials, linens, and clothing shall be transported in a laundry bag, sack, or container and washed in a sanitizing solution used in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations;
    4. (4) Laundry and laundry rooms shall be kept separate from kitchen and dining areas; and
    5. (5) Soiled materials, linens, and clothing shall be handled as little as possible and transported in a laundry bag, sack, or a covered container.
22. (v) Laundry rooms and bathrooms shall have non-porous floors.
23. (w) There shall be a designated work area for soiled materials and linens that contains a work counter of at least 6 linear feet, a sink, and a storage area.
24. (x) Sterile or clean supplies shall be stored in dust and moisture-free storage areas.
25. (y) Sterile supplies and equipment shall not be mixed with unsterile supplies.
26. (z) Any ESRDDC with a non-municipal water supply and whose water has been tested and has failed to meet acceptable levels as required by the department of environmental services shall notify the department upon receipt of the results of testing.
27. (aa) Trash receptacles in food service area shall have covers and shall remain closed except when in use.

Source. #9963, eff 7-28-11; ss by #12827, INTERIM, eff 7-20-19, EXPIRED: 1-16-20 New. #12985, eff 1-29-20; ss by #14206, eff 2-28-25 (formerly He-P 811.21)