Ala. Admin. Code r. 580-2-20-.05 - Infection Control

(1) The entity shall develop, maintain, and document compliance with a written plan for exposure control relative to infectious diseases that shall, at a minimum, include the following requirements:

(2)

(a) The plan shall be inclusive of the entity's staff, recipients, and volunteers.

(b) The plan shall be consistent with protocols and guidelines established for infection control in healthcare settings by the Federal Center for Disease Control, and shall at a minimum include:

1. Policies and procedures to mitigate the potential for transmission and spread of infectious diseases within the agency.

2. All staff shall be trained in infection control upon hire. Direct care staff shall be trained annually thereafter.

3. Risk assessment and screening of recipients reporting high risk behavior and symptoms of communicable disease.

4. Procedures to be followed for recipients known to have an infectious disease.

5. Provisions to offer directly or by referral, as needed, to recipients who voluntarily accept the offer for HIV/AIDS early intervention services to include, HIV pre-test and post-test counseling and case management and referral services for medical care.

6. Infection Control training shall be provided as follows:

(i) Mental Illness only: Residential and Day programs within ten (10) days of admission.

(ii) Substance Use Disorders Only: All program recipients within ten (10) days of admission and annually thereafter.

7. All staff shall be educated annually about TB including risk factors and signs and symptoms.

8. The entity shall document compliance with all laws and regulations regarding reporting of communicable diseases to the Alabama Department of Public Health.

9. Substance Use Disorder Only: A formal process for screening all program admissions for TB.

10. Substance Use Disorder Only: The provision of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD, and TB education for all program admissions either provided by the agency or by referral.

Notes

Ala. Admin. Code r. 580-2-20-.05

Reserved by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVII, Issue No. 01, October 31, 2018, eff. 11/30/2018. Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVIII, Issue No. 06, March 31, 2020, eff. 5/15/2020. Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XLI, Issue No. 04, January 31, 2023, eff. 3/17/2023.

Author: Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, DMH

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, § 22-50-11 .