The licensee must implement and maintain an infection control program that prevents the transmission of infections and communicable disease among residents, staff, and visitors by:

(1) Developing written policies and procedures for:

(a) Hand hygiene;

(b) Cleaning and disinfection;

(d) Resident hygiene;

(e) Preventing transmission of tuberculosis consistent with the department's Washington State Tuberculosis Services Manual, DOH 343-071 June 2012, and chapter 246-170 WAC;

(f) Management of staff with a communicable disease in an infectious stage;

(g) Environmental management; and

(h) Housekeeping functions.

(2) Complying with chapters 246-100 and 246-101 WAC.

(3) Providing all necessary supplies and equipment to implement the infection control program.

(4)(a) An RTF licensed to provide pediatric transitional care services must require all staff to provide proof of full vaccination against, or show proof of acquired immunity for, the following:

(i) Chickenpox (Varicella);

(ii) German measles (Rubella);

(iii) Measles (Rubeola);

(iv) Mumps;

(v) Whooping cough (pertussis); and

(vi) Influenza (flu).

Influenza vaccination is annual and must be received within the first month it becomes publicly available.

(b) The licensee may exempt a person working at their facility from one or more of the vaccinations required by this subsection if acceptable medical documentation of a medical contraindication, signed by a health care provider, is provided to the licensee.

(i) Full vaccination means vaccinations given at the ages and intervals according to the national Center for Disease Control and Prevention immunization guidelines in "Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Recommended Immunization Schedule for Adults Aged 19 Years or Older—United States, 2018"; as published in the "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) 2018; 67(5):158-160."

(ii) Acquired immunity means a medically documented positive titer.

PDFWAC 246-337-060

Infection control.