LAC 48:I.5403. Infection Control

A. The CRC shall provide a sanitary environment to avoid sources and transmission of infections and communicable diseases. B. The CRC shall have an active Infection Control Program that requires: 1. reporting of infectious disease in accordance with current OPH and federal guidelines; 2. monitoring of: a. the spread of infectious disease; b. hand washing; c. staff and client education; and d. incidents of specific infections in accordance with OPH guidelines; 3. corrective actions; 4. a designated infection control coordinator who: a. has education and/or experience in infection control; b. develops and implements policies and procedures governing the infection control program that is compliant with most recently published/current state and federal infection control guidelines in preparation for, during, and after a public health emergency or disaster; c. takes universal precautions, including proper handwashing and face masks, as needed; and d. strictly adheres to all sanitation requirements; 5. the CRC shall maintain a clean and sanitary environment and shall ensure that: a. supplies and equipment are available to staff; b. there is consistent and constant monitoring and cleaning of all areas of the facility; c. the methods used for cleaning, sanitizing, handling and storing of all supplies and equipment prevent the transmission of infection; d. directions are posted for sanitizing both kitchen and bathroom and laundry areas; e. showers and bathtubs are to be sanitized by staff between client usage; f. clothing belonging to clients must be washed and dried separately from the clothing belonging to other clients; and g. laundry facilities are used by staff only; h. food and waste are stored, handled, and removed in a way that will not spread disease, cause odor, or provide a breeding place for pests. C. The CRC may enter into a written contract for housekeeping services necessary to maintain a clean and neat environment. D. Each CRC shall have an effective pest control plan. E. After discharge of a client, the CRC shall: 1. clean the bed, mattress, cover, bedside furniture and equipment; 2. ensure that mattresses, blankets and pillows assigned to clients are intact and in a sanitary condition; and 3. ensure that the mattress, blankets and pillows used for a client are properly sanitized before assigned to another client.