(a) CDRH personnel who have direct or indirect contact with patients shall be free from symptoms indicating the presence of infectious diseases.

(b) A health examination performed by a person lawfully authorized to perform such an examination shall be required as a prerequisite for employment and shall be performed within one week after employment. The written health examination report shall be signed by the person performing the examination and shall verify that the employee is able to perform assigned duties and is free from symptoms indicating the presence of infectious disease. Repeat health examinations shall be performed whenever necessary to ascertain that employees continue to be free from symptoms indicating the presence of infectious disease and are able to perform their assigned duties. Upon initial examination, and at least annually, the employee shall have a test for tuberculosis infection that is recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and licensed by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or a chest x-ray. A positive result from the tuberculosis test shall be followed by a chest x-ray.

(c) Employee health records shall be maintained by the CDRH and shall include the records of all required health examinations. Such records shall be kept a minimum of three years following termination of employment.

(d) Employees known to have or evidencing symptoms of infectious disease shall be removed from contact with patients.