2015 Minnesota Statutes

246.721 PROTOCOL FOR EXPOSURE TO BLOOD-BORNE PATHOGENS.

(a) A secure treatment facility shall follow applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines under Code of Federal Regulations, title 29, part 1910.1030, for blood-borne pathogens.

(b) Every secure treatment facility shall adopt and follow a postexposure protocol for employees at a secure treatment facility who have experienced a significant exposure. The postexposure protocol must adhere to the most current recommendations of the United States Public Health Service and include, at a minimum, the following:

(1) a process for employees to report an exposure in a timely fashion;

(2) a process for an infectious disease specialist, or a licensed physician who is knowledgeable about the most current recommendations of the United States Public Health Service in consultation with an infectious disease specialist, (i) to determine whether a significant exposure to one or more blood-borne pathogens has occurred, and (ii) to provide, under the direction of a licensed physician, a recommendation or recommendations for follow-up treatment appropriate to the particular blood-borne pathogen or pathogens for which a significant exposure has been determined;

(3) if there has been a significant exposure, a process to determine whether the patient has a blood-borne pathogen through disclosure of test results, or through blood collection and testing as required by sections 246.71 to 246.722;

(4) a process for providing appropriate counseling prior to and following testing for a blood-borne pathogen regarding the likelihood of blood-borne pathogen transmission and follow-up recommendations according to the most current recommendations of the United States Public Health Service, recommendations for testing, and treatment;

(5) a process for providing appropriate counseling under clause (4) to the employee of a secure treatment facility and to the patient; and

(6) compliance with applicable state and federal laws relating to data practices, confidentiality, informed consent, and the patient bill of rights.

History:

2000 c 422 s 51