Section 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.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 22, § 79861
1. New section filed 6-10-94; operative 1-1-96 pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 1250 (Register 94, No. 23). Note: Authority cited: Sections 208(a) and 1267.10(a), Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 1250(j) and 1254, Health and Safety Code.
1. New section filed 6-10-94; operative 1-1-96 pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 1250 (Register 94, No. 23).