Section 490. Infection control

A. Each hospital shall have an infection control committee to perform at least the following functions:

1. Establish a hospital-wide infection surveillance program and designate an infection control officer to conduct all infection surveillance activities and to maintain appropriate records to include infection rates by body site and clinical service and all hospital acquired blood stream pathogens.

2. Establish written policies governing the admission and isolation, including protective isolation, of patients with known or suspected infectious diseases.

3. Develop, periodically evaluate, and revise as needed, infection control policies, procedures and techniques for all appropriate phases of hospital operation and service in order to protect patients, employees, and visitors. These policies shall include, but are not limited to, appropriate employee health screening and immunization and acceptable techniques and practices for high risk procedures such as parenteral hyperalimentation, urinary tract catheterization, dialysis, and intravenous therapy.

B. An educational program on infection control for all appropriate personnel shall be conducted.

C. The hospital shall report promptly to its local health department diseases designated as "reportable" according to 12VAC5-90-80 when such cases are admitted to or are diagnosed in the hospital and shall report any outbreak of infectious disease, including nosocomial infections, as required by 12VAC5-90. An outbreak is defined as an increase in incidence of any infectious disease above the usual incidence at the hospital.

In addition, two or more epidemiologically related infections, including, but not limited to, staphylococcus aureus, group A beta hemolytic streptococcus, and salmonella species occurring in the obstetrical or nursery units shall be reported through the local health department.

D. Accumulated waste, including all contaminated sharps, dressings, or similar infectious waste, shall be disposed of in a manner compliant with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030).

Historical Notes

Derived from VR355-33-500 § 2.33, eff. July 28, 1993; amended, Volume 11, Issue 08, eff. April 1, 1995; Volume 22, Issue 08, eff. January 25, 2006.

Statutory Authority

§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-127 of the Code of Virginia.