R432-100-10. Infection Control

Each hospital must implement a hospital-wide infection control program.

(1) The infection control program shall include at least the following:

(a) definitions of nosocomial infections;

(b) a system for reporting, evaluating, and investigating infections;

(c) review and evaluation of aseptic, isolation, and sanitation techniques;

(d) methods for isolation in relation to the medical condition involved;

(e) preventive, surveillance, and control procedures;

(f) laboratory services;

(g) an employee health program;

(h) orientation of all new employees; and

(i) documented in-service education for all departments and services relative to infection control.

(2) Infection control reporting data shall be incorporated into the hospital quality improvement process.

(3) There shall be written infection control policies and procedures for each area of the hospital, including requirements dictated by the physical layout, personnel and equipment involved.

(4) There shall be written policies for the selection, storage, handling, use, and disposition of disposable or reusable items. Single-use items may be reused according to hospital policy.

(a) Reusable items shall have specific policies and procedures for each type of reuse item.

(b) Reuse data shall be incorporated into the quality improvement process.

(c) Reuse data shall be incorporated in the hospital infection control identification and reporting process.