Section 440IAC1.5-3-5. Infection control

   (a) The facility shall provide a safe and healthful environment that minimizes infection exposure and risk to:

(1) consumers;

(2) health care workers; and

(3) visitors.

This is completed in a coordinated process that recognizes the risk of endemic and epidemic nosocomial infections.

  (b) The facility shall have a written policy for a facility wide infection control program. The program shall:

(1) be active and effective; and

(2) include a system designed for the:

(A) identification;

(B) surveillance;

(C) investigation;

(D) control;

(E) reporting of information, both internally and to health agencies; and

(F) prevention;

of infection and communicable diseases in consumers and health care workers.

  (c) The infection control program shall have a method for identifying and evaluating trends or clusters of nosocomial infections or communicable diseases. The infection control process shall involve universal precautions and other activities aimed at preventing the transmission of communicable diseases between consumer and health care workers.

  (d) The facility shall have as part of the infection control program a needlestick prevention and exposure plan.

  (e) A person, who has the support of facility management and is qualified by training or experience, shall be designated as responsible for the:

(1) ongoing infection control activities; and

(2) development and implementation of the policies governing the control of infection and communicable diseases.

  (f) The facility shall have a functioning infection control committee that includes the following:

(1) The individual responsible for the infection control program.

(2) A member of the medical or professional staff.

(3) A representative from the nursing staff.

(4) Other appropriate individuals as needed.

The committee will meet quarterly, and minutes of meeting will be taken and retained.

  (g) The duties of the committee shall include the following:

(1) Writing policies and procedures in regard to the following:

(A) Sanitation.

(B) Universal precautions.

(C) Cleaning.

(D) Disinfection.

(E) Aseptic technique.

(F) Linen management.

(G) Employee health.

(H) Personal hygiene.

(I) Attire.

(2) Assuring the system complies with state and federal laws to monitor the immune status of consumers and staff exposed to communicable diseases.

(3) Providing information regarding infection control for the following:

(A) Plans for renovation and new construction to ensure awareness of federal, state, and local rules that affect infection control practices.

(B) Plans for appropriate protection of consumers and employees during construction or renovation.

  (h) Facility management shall:

(1) be responsible to assure implementation and corrective actions as necessary to ensure that infection control policies are followed; and

(2) provide input concerning appropriate infection control into plans during any renovation or construction.

(Division of Mental Health and Addiction; 440 IAC 1.5-3-5; filed Oct 11, 2002, 11:26 a.m.: 26 IR 739; filed Aug 11, 2008, 3:40 p.m.: 20080910-IR-440070875FRA; readopted filed Nov 5, 2008, 3:50 p.m.: 20081119-IR-440080742RFA; readopted filed Aug 11, 2014, 11:21 a.m.: 20140910-IR-440140240RFA)