This bill revises infection control regulations for long-term care facilities in New Jersey, specifically amending N.J.S.A.26:2H-12.87. Key changes include the removal of the requirement for a physician with an infectious disease fellowship to be part of the infection prevention and control committee, and the introduction of new qualifications for infection preventionists, which now include certification from recognized training programs. Additionally, the bill restricts infection preventionists to serving on no more than five committees and allows them to perform other duties when their primary responsibilities are not required. The employment conditions for infection preventionists in facilities with more than 100 beds or those providing on-site hemodialysis services have also been updated to allow for part-time or full-time employment based on a risk assessment.

Furthermore, the bill enhances the responsibilities of the infection prevention and control committee, requiring them to develop training curricula, monitor policy implementation, conduct internal audits, and ensure staff training in infection prevention. It also mandates that long-term care facilities publish their outbreak response plans online and distribute them to residents and families, while performing annual preparedness drills to evaluate the effectiveness of these plans. The legislation aims to strengthen infection control measures in long-term care settings, ensuring better preparedness and response to outbreaks of contagious diseases.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 26:2H-12.87