January 2009
Information Bulletin 09-04
HC-26
Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Guidelines: Home Care
Purpose:
To establish a consistent process for each licensed Minnesota nursing home to follow the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) “Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) in Health-Care Settings, 2005”. This process has been developed in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Compliance Monitoring Division, the MDH TB Prevention and Control Program and the Minnesota Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA) TB Directive.A waiver to each home care provider is being granted by MDH via this bulletin from Minnesota Rule 4668.0065 subpart 1 & 2 Tuberculosis screening and Exposure to tuberculosis (see the attachment which identifies by strikeout rules being waived). MDH is granting this waiver to each licensed home care provider because: (1) individual requests have been submitted to MDH to follow the 2005 CDC TB Guidelines; (2) it is important for ALL settings to follow a consistent approach for TB prevention and control as set forth in this bulletin/waiver; and (3) the waiver criteria are met as outlined in 4668.0016.
A home care provider that follows the provisions of the waiver set forth in this Information Bulletin does not need to submit an individual waiver request to MDH for Minnesota Rules 4668.0065 subpart 1 & 2. Different waivers or waivers of all other Minnesota Rule requirements for a home care provider would need to be submitted in writing to the Minnesota Department of Health, unless set forth in another MDH Informational Bulletin.
This waiver provision will remain in effect indefinitely; however, all waivers are subject to review as deemed necessary by the Minnesota Department of Health. Please remember that all alternative measures or conditions attached to a variance or waiver shall have the force and effect of the licensure rule(s) and shall be subject to the issuance of correction orders and penalty assessments in accordance with the provisions of Minn. Stat., section 144.653. The period of time for correction and the amount of fines specified for the particular rules for which the variance or waiver was granted, shall apply.
Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Guidelines: Home Care (Waiver) (PDF:181k:3 pages)
Effective Date: March 9, 2009
Resources:
MDH TB Prevention and Control Program educational tools for the implementation of the 2005 CDC TB Guidelines.See www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/tb/rules.html
These tools will be used by MDH surveyors to evaluate compliance with this waiver.
The Minnesota Department of Health, Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Program Contact: (651) 201-5414.
Minnesota OSHA Directive: http://www.dli.mn.gov/OSHA/PDF/tuberculosis_cpl.pdf (pdf:75k/18 pages)
The 2005 CDC TB Guidelines: http://www.cdc.gov/tb/pubs/mmwr/Maj_guide/infectioncontrol.htm
Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Surveyor Checklist (PDF:18k/ 1 page)
If you have any questions related to this Information Bulletin, please contact:
Minnesota Department of Health
Compliance Monitoring Division
Licensing and Certification Program
P.O. Box 64900
St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0900
Telephone: (651) 201-4101
