<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".35" citation="COMAR 10.07.02.35" title_num="10" subtitle_num="07" chapter_num="02" heading="Resident Health Program.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Immunization.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The nursing home shall offer influenza and pneumococcal immunization to each resident.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The nursing home shall obtain written consent to administer the immunization from:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The resident; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The resident's representative.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A resident is not required to receive the influenza and pneumococcal immunization if it is:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Medically contraindicated;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Against the resident’s religious beliefs; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>After being fully informed of the health risks associated with not receiving a vaccine, the resident refuses the immunization.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>If the resident refuses to be immunized, the nursing home shall document the refusal and the reason for the refusal.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The nursing home shall notify each prospective resident of the immunization requirements and request that the resident agree to be immunized.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>The nursing home shall make available to residents educational and informational materials relating to immunization against influenza virus and immunization against pneumococcal disease.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Tuberculosis Assessment.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The nursing home shall assess residents for tuberculosis according to the Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Health Care Settings.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A new resident shall receive a two-step tuberculin skin test within 10 days of admission to the nursing home unless the resident has had:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A documented negative tuberculin skin test within the previous 12 months;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A previous positive tuberculin skin test;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>A history of preventive therapy treatment;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>A latent infection; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>The treatment of active tuberculosis.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The nursing home shall continue to monitor residents for signs and symptoms of tuberculosis by performing a yearly symptom review. When a resident has signs and symptoms of tuberculosis, a physician shall be notified to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Evaluate the resident for possible tuberculosis in a communicable form;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Notify the health officer within 24 hours if the physician suspects tuberculosis; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Coordinate management of the resident and the resident’s contacts with the local health officer.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The nursing home shall assess and manage a resident with a history of a previous positive tuberculin skin test, a history of latent infection, or a previous history of active tuberculosis, in accordance with Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Health-Care Settings.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>