1. (1) A birthing center shall establish and maintain an active facility-wide infection control program for the control and prevention of infection. The program shall be managed by a qualified individual and overseen by a multi-disciplinary committee which shall be responsible for investigating, controlling, and preventing infections in the facility.

2. (2) A birthing center shall be responsible for developing written policies and for annual review of such policies, relating to at least the following:

   1. (a) Identification of existing or potential infections in clients, newborns, employees, clinical staff, and clinical providers with birthing center privileges;
   2. (b) Control of factors affecting the transmission of infections and communicable diseases;
   3. (c) Provisions for orienting and educating all volunteers, employees, clinical staff, and clinical providers with birthing center privileges on the cause, transmission, and prevention of infections on an annual basis; and
   4. (d) Collection, analysis, and use of data relating to infections in the birthing center.
3. (3) A birthing center shall have a tuberculosis (TB) infection control plan that includes employee assessment and screening for protecting clients and staff from TB in accordance with OAR 333-019-0041.
4. (4) A birthing center shall comply with OAR chapter 333, division 19 for the control of communicable diseases and division 56 relating to infectious waste management, including the safe management and transport of placentas.
5. (5) A birthing center shall comply with the OR-OSHA bloodborne pathogens standards and infection control training requirements, OAR 437-002-0360(26). The birthing center shall ensure that all staff with potential occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens participate in a training program at the time of initial assignment and annually thereafter.

6. (6) A birthing center shall establish infection control procedures for cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of client care equipment, unless only pre-packaged and pre-sterilized items are used, and cleaning and disinfecting the health care environment in accordance with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, 2008 – Update: May 2019" adopted by reference.

   NOTE: The CDC guideline referenced in section (6) of this rule is available upon request by contacting the Health Care Regulation and Quality Improvement section at mailbox.hclc@odhsoha.oregon.gov.

Statutory/Other Authority

ORS 441.025

Statutes/Other Implemented

ORS 441.025

History

PH 23-2025, adopt filed 11/03/2025, effective 11/03/2025