The purpose of this section is to identify and reduce the risk of acquiring and transmitting infections and communicable diseases between patients, staff, medical staff, and visitors.

A birthing center must:

(1) Develop and implement infection control policies and procedures consistent with the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC);

(2) Ensure the infection control policies and procedures address, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Infection control practices for clinical staff including communicable disease testing, immunization, vaccination and universal precautions or equivalent method of preventing the transmission of infection according to current local health authorities and must include the availability of equipment necessary to implement plans of care and infection control policies and procedures;

(b) Receipt, use, disposal, sterilizing, processing, or reuse of equipment to prevent disease transmission;

(c) Providing and maintaining utility and storage facilities designed and equipped for washing, disinfecting, storing, and other handling of equipment and medical supplies in a manner which ensures segregation of clean and sterile supplies and equipment from those that are soiled and contaminated;

(d) Handwashing;

(e) Ensure all sewage, garbage, refuse, biohazardous waste, human tissue, needles and sharps, and liquid waste are collected and disposed of in a manner to prevent the creation of an unsafe or unsanitary condition;

(f) Tuberculosis screening for new and current employees consistent with the Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Healthcare Facilities, 2005. Morbidity Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Volume 54, December 30, 2005;

(g) Documenting the receipt and offer of Hepatitis B vaccination to all employees and contractors according to WAC 296-823-130; and

(h) Actions to take when personnel, volunteers, contractors, or patients exhibit or report symptoms of a communicable disease in an infectious stage in accordance with chapter 246-100 WAC, Communicable and certain other diseases and chapter 246-101 WAC, Notifiable conditions.