<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".32" citation="COMAR 10.07.22.32" title_num="10" subtitle_num="07" chapter_num="22" heading="Infection Control.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The hospice house shall maintain an infection control program that protects patients, staff, and others by preventing and controlling infections and communicable diseases.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The hospice house shall follow accepted standards of practice to prevent the transmission of infections and communicable diseases, including the use of standard precautions.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The infection control program shall include the following:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Education of employees, contracted providers, patients, and family members about infection control, including their role in preventing the spread of infection and communicable diseases through daily activities;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Techniques for hand washing, respiratory protections, asepsis, as well as other means for limiting the spread of contagion;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Measures for the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Screening and evaluation of health care workers, including all hospice staff, volunteers, and contract workers, including agency nurses and housekeeping staff for communicable diseases; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Evaluation of staff and volunteers exposed to patients with non-treated communicable diseases; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Monitoring staff for compliance with hospice policies and procedures related to infection control.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>