Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 22, § 79861 - Laundry Service
(a)
Laundry and linen.
(1) An adequate supply of
serviceable clean linen shall be provided to meet the needs of the correctional
treatment center. This shall include, but not be limited to, at least three (3)
complete bed changes for the correctional treatment center's licensed bed
capacity.
(2) There shall be
written policies and procedures developed and implemented supporting infection
control policies in the handling, storage, transportation and processing of
linens. Such policies shall be reviewed and approved by the infection control
committee.
(3) If the facility
operates its own laundry, such laundry shall be:
(A) Located in such relationship to other
areas that steam, odors, lint and objectionable noises do not reach patient
care, dining or kitchen areas.
(B)
Well-lighted, ventilated and adequate in size for the needs of the hospital and
for safe operation.
(C) Maintained
in a sanitary manner and kept in good repair.
(D) Not part of a storage
area.
(4) The laundering
of correctional treatment center linens shall comply with the following:
(A) All linens shall be washed using an
effective soap or detergent and thoroughly rinsed to remove soap or detergent
and soil. Linens shall be exposed to water at a minimum temperature of 71°C
(160°F) for at least 24 minutes during the washing process, or a lower
temperature of 60°C (140°F) for 24 minutes may be utilized if the
linens are subsequently passed through a flatwork ironer at 110-115 feet per
minute at a temperature of 300°F. or a tumbler dryer at a temperature of
180°F.
(B) The facility shall
implement a procedure for affirming the efficacy of the laundry process,
including quarterly sample testing procedures for bacterial, chemical and stain
residue and overall fabric quality.
(5) Clean linen and soiled linen shall be
stored in separate rooms of the facility. Linen storage rooms in the laundry
area shall be adequate in size for the needs of the correctional treatment
center and shall not be used for any other purpose.
(6) Laundry personnel shall be provided hand
washing and toilet facilities at locations convenient to the laundry, to avoid
traversing patient and dietary areas.
(7) Soiled and clean linen carts shall be so
labeled and provided with covers made of washable or cleanable materials. The
carts and covers shall be maintained in a clean condition. Linen carts used for
the storage or transportation of dirty linen shall be thoroughly washed before
being used for the storage and transportation of clean linen.
(8) If the correctional treatment center does
not maintain a laundry service, the commercial laundry utilized shall meet the
standards of this Section.
(b) Soiled linen.
(1) Soiled linen shall be handled, stored and
processed in a safe manner to prevent the spread of infection.
(2) Policies and procedures shall be
developed and implemented pertaining to linen from isolation rooms and
pathology and linen soiled with chemotherapeutic agents or radioactive
substances.
(3) Soiled linen shall
be sorted in a separate enclosed room by a person instructed in methods of
protection from contamination. This person shall not have responsibility for
immediately handling clean linen until protective attire worn in the soiled
linen area is removed, hands are washed, and other hospital infection control
procedures observed.
(4) Soiled
linen shall be stored and transported in a closed container which prevents
airborne contamination of corridors, dietary areas and areas occupied by
patients, and also precludes the cross-contamination of clean linen.
(5) Chutes shall not be used for transporting
soiled linen in correctional treatment centers constructed after the effective
date of this regulation. If chutes are utilized in correctional treatment
centers constructed before the effective date of this regulation, they shall be
maintained in a clean, sanitary state.
(c) Clean linen.
(1) Clean linen shall be sorted, handled and
transported in such a manner as to prevent contamination.
(2) Clean linen carts shall be used only for
the purpose of transportation or storage of clean linen.
(3) Staff persons processing clean linen
shall be dressed in clean garments at all times while on duty, and shall not
handle soiled linen unless appropriate infection control procedures are
observed.
(4) Clean linen from a
commercial laundry shall be delivered to the correctional treatment center
completely wrapped and delivered to a designated clean area.
(5) Clean linen in patient care units shall
be stored in clean locations such as ventilated closets or clean utility
rooms.
(6) If clean linen is stored
in the laundry area, it shall be stored in a room separate from the sorting
room, laundry room or soiled linen room. A partial partition or a curtain does
not meet the requirements of this subsection.
Notes
Note: Authority cited: Sections 208(a) and 1267.10(a), Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 1250(j) and 1254, Health and Safety Code.
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