6512 – Infection Control Program
In order to safeguard from the spread of certain vaccine-preventable diseases and in recognition that prevention is a means of combating the spread of disease, the Board strongly urges that staff members (including volunteers) provide documentation of immunization or evidence of immunity against certain vaccine-preventable diseases. The following immunizations are recommended for staff: measles, mumps, rubella (MMR); varicella (chickenpox); diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (Tdap and Td); and influenza (flu). Staff members born prior to January 1, 1957 need not provide evidence of immunity to measles; these individuals are considered naturally immune.
In the event of an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease in a NWESD 189 program site, the local health officer has the authority to exclude a susceptible staff member. If excluded he/she is not eligible to receive sick leave benefits because of the exclusion itself. To qualify for benefits, he/she must be ill or temporarily physically disabled.
The Superintendent or designee will evaluate all job duties of NWESD 189 employees to determine which employees have reasonably anticipated on-the-job exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material. The NWESD 189 will maintain a list of job classifications where employees have reasonably anticipated exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material. The hepatitis B vaccine will be provided at the NWESD 189’s expense to all employees identified as having high risk of directly contacting blood or other potentially infectious material at work.
In the event that an employee has a specific exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material, the employee will be provided, at NWESD 189 expense, with confidential medical evaluation, follow-up, and treatment, if indicated.
The NWESD 189 will provide annual training to all employees with reasonably anticipated exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material. All employees will receive NWESD 189 provided training on communicable diseases (e.g., HIV/AIDS) within six (6) months of initial employment.
Records will be kept in strict confidence regarding the hepatitis B vaccine status of all employees with reasonably anticipated exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material and for each occupational exposure an employee has to blood or other potentially infectious material. The records will be kept for the duration of the employee’s employment, plus thirty (30) years. The NWESD 189 will also keep records that employees have received appropriate training.
First Reading: 10/25/89 (as 4701)
Second Reading: 12/20/89 (as 4701)
Second Reading: 08/28/91 (as 4702)
Revised: 02/26/92 (as 4701, 4702)
Revised: 02/24/93 (as 4702)
Revised: 06/27/01 (recodified 6512-P)
Reviewed: 03/24/10
Revised: 06/26/13
Revised: 05/27/15
Revised: 08/26/15
Revised: 09/24/15
Revised: 10/28/20
Reference:
WAC 246-110-001
WAC 296-823
WAC 392-198
WAC 388-805-205
Date Revised: 10/28/20