§ 72323. Nursing Service -Cleaning, Disinfecting and Sterilizing.

(a) Each facility shall adopt a written manual on cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing procedures. The manual shall include procedures to be used in the care of utensils, instruments, solutions, dressings, articles and surfaces and shall be available for use by facility personnel. All procedures shall be carried out in accordance with the manual.

(b) Each facility shall make provisions for the cleaning and disinfecting of contaminated articles and surfaces which cannot be sterilized.

(c) Bedside equipment including but not limited to washbasins, emesis basins, bedpans and urinals shall be sanitized only by one of the following methods:

(1) Submersion in boiling water for a minimum of 30 minutes.

(2) Autoclaving at 15 pounds pressure and 121 degrees C (250) for 20 minutes.

(3) Gas sterilization.

(d) Chemicals shall not be used as a substitute for the methods specified in (c) above.

(e) Electronic thermometers shall be cleaned and disinfected according to the manufacturer's instructions. Glass thermometers shall be cleaned and disinfected for at least 10 minutes with 70 percent ethyl alcohol or 90 percent isopropyl alcohol with 0.2 percent iodine. Oral and rectal thermometers shall be stored separately in clean, labeled containers with fitted lids.

(f) Individual patient care supply items designed and identified by the manufacturer to be disposable shall not be reused.

Note

Note: Authority cited: Sections 208(a) and 1275, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Section 1276, Health and Safety Code.