Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 22, § 76677 - Cleaning, Disinfecting and Sterilizing

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

(b) Each facility shall make provision for the cleaning and disinfection 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 44.5°C (121°F) for 20 minutes.

(3) Gas sterilization.

(d) The use of chemicals is not approved as a substitute for the methods listed in (c) above.

(e) Electronic thermometers shall be cleaned and disinfected according to the manufacturer's instructions. Glass thermometers shall be cleaned and then disinfected for at least 10 minutes, with 70 to 90 percent ethyl alcohol or 99 percent isopropyl alcohol with 0.2 percent iodine. Oral and rectal thermometers shall be stored separately, in clean, labeled containers with fitted lids.

Notes

Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 22, § 76677

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