68-140-520 - Designation of government employee as officer for exposure control to perform infection control procedures.
68-140-520. Designation of government employee as officer for exposure control to perform infection control procedures.
(a) A local government or any licensed ambulance service may utilize one (1) or more of its employees licensed as an EMT-P as its designated officer or officers for exposure control to perform infection control procedures necessary for prevention, exposure control and post-exposure evaluation on persons employed by that local government or licensed ambulance service as emergency response employees.
(b) For the purposes of this part, emergency response employees (EREs) includes paramedics, fire fighters, first response workers, and emergency medical technicians.
(c) All procedures authorized by this part shall be approved and performed under the medical direction of a Tennessee licensed physician.
(d) For the purposes of this part, infection control procedures shall include the following:
(1) Administering tuberculosis skin tests, influenza immunizations, hepatitis B immunizations, and other immunizations to EREs as ordered by the medical director;
(2) Conducting prevention, informational and education programs for EREs pertaining to airborne and bloodborne diseases; and
(3) Post-exposure evaluation of an ERE who may have been exposed to potentially life-threatening airborne or bloodborne diseases, including, but not limited to, tuberculosis, HIV or hepatitis B. The post-exposure evaluation shall consist of ascertaining information relative to the events regarding the perceived exposure, as well as assessing the degree or significance of the exposure for the purpose of informing the medical director. The medical director shall determine the potential public health risk and recommend the immediate course of action pertaining to the medical care of the ERE and any potential public health risk relative thereto. Further evaluation, treatment and follow-up of the ERE's condition shall be performed at a licensed hospital or physician's office.
(e) Nothing in this part shall relieve nor limit any entity employing EREs from the statutory obligations imposed under title 68, chapter 10, title 50, chapter 3, or from occupational safety and health standards promulgated pursuant to 29 CFR 1910.
[Acts 1998, ch. 958, § 1.]