10A NCAC 27H .0304      PROSPECTIVE RESIDENTS AND EMPLOYEES

(a)  Prospective residents and employees of the group home shall be informed that a hepatitis B carrier is, or may at a future time be, residing in the home.

(b)  The group home shall screen prospective residents, who have been accepted for admission, for hepatitis B infection prior to admission; and screen and offer hepatitis B vaccine to all persons accepted for employment within the first 10 days of employment.

(c)  An applicant for admission to a group home shall not be admitted during the period of time that the applicant is a hepatitis B carrier:

(1)           and currently exhibits behaviors, such as biting, scratching or gouging, which may cause breaks in the skin of self or others; or

(2)           has special medical problems, such as eczema or other dermatological conditions that increase the risk of others being exposed to the blood or potentially infectious body fluids.

(d)  If a new resident or a new employee is determined to be a hepatitis B carrier and no hepatitis B carriers have previously been placed in, or are employed by, the group home, the procedures in Rule .0303 of this Section shall be followed.

(e)  If a current resident or employee is a hepatitis B carrier, new residents and new employees without antibodies (who are not immune) shall begin the hepatitis B vaccine series before entering the home.

(f)  The procedures in Rule .0303 of this Section for current residents and employees shall be followed for new residents and employees.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 143B‑147;

Eff. November 1, 1985;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1993;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. March 26, 2017.