La. Admin. Code tit. 51 § XIV-1303

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section XIV-1303 - Fixtures

A. Bedpans. Acceptable flush rim bedpan hoppers (clinical sink), bedpan washers, and/or other acceptable fixtures and equipment shall be provided for the disposing of bedpan contents and the cleansing and disinfection of bedpans in soiled utility rooms.

B. Clinical Sink. A clinical sink shall have an integral trap in which the upper portion of a visible trap seal provides a water surface. The fixture shall be so designed as to permit complete removal of the contents by siphonic or blowout action, or both, and to reseal the trap. A flushing rim shall provide water to cleanse the interior surface. The fixture shall have flushing and cleansing characteristics similar to a water closet.

C. Prohibited Use of Clinical and Service Sinks. A clinical sink serving a soiled utility room shall not be considered as a substitute for, nor shall it be used as, a janitor's service sink. A janitor's service sink shall not be used for the disposal of urine, fecal matter, or other human waste.

D. Ice Prohibited in Soiled Utility Room. Machines for manufacturing ice, or any device for the handling or storage of ice, shall not be located in a soiled utility room. Machines for manufacturing ice, or devices for handling or storage of ice intended for either human consumption or packs, may be located in a clean utility room, floor pantry, or diet kitchen.

E. Sterilizer Equipment Requirements. The following apply to sterilizer equipment.

1. It shall be unlawful to de-scale or otherwise submit the interior of water sterilizers, stills, or similar equipment to acid or other chemical solutions while the equipment is connected to the water or drainage system.

2. New pressure sterilizers and pressure instrument washer-sterilizers hereafter installed shall display, in a location clearly visible at all times, the ASME Standard symbol and data plate.

3. All sterilizer piping and devices necessary for the operation of sterilizers shall be accessible for inspection and maintenance, and shall satisfy the following.

a. Steam supplies to sterilizers, including those connected by pipes from overhead mains or branches, shall be drained to prevent any excess moisture from reaching the sterilizer. The condensate drainage from the steam supply shall be discharged by gravity.

b. Steam condensate return from sterilizers shall not be connected to pressure or vacuum return systems; only gravity returns shall be acceptable. Steam condensate returns from sterilizers shall not be connected to overhead mains or branches.

c. Pressure sterilizers should be equipped with an acceptable means of condensing and cooling the exhaust steam vapors. Nonpressure sterilizers should be equipped with an acceptable device which will automatically control the vapors in a manner so as to confine them within the vessel, or equipped with an acceptable means of condensing and cooling the vapors.

d. Gas fired equipment or apparatus, requiring either water or drainage connections or both, shall meet the standards of the American National Standards Institute.

F. Special Elevations. Control valves, vacuum outlets, and devices which protrude from a wall of an opening, emergency, recovery, examining, or delivery room, or in a corridor or other locations where patients may be transported on a wheeled stretcher, shall be so located at an elevation which will preclude bumping the patient or stretcher against the device. When necessary to install at a low elevation, safety precautions should be taken to protect the personnel.

G. Plumbing in Mental Hospitals. In mental hospitals, special consideration should be given to piping, controls and fittings of plumbing fixtures as required by the types of mental patients being treated. Pipes or traps should not be exposed, and fixtures should be substantially bolted through walls.

H. Handwashing Facilities. Medical facilities, including doctor's offices and clinics, shall be provided with hand washing facilities within each patient examination and treatment room. The hand wash facility shall be provided with hot and cold water delivered via a mixing faucet.

La. Admin. Code tit. 51, § XIV-1303

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health, LR 38:2882 (November 2012).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 40:4(A)(7) and R.S. 40:5(2)(3)(7)(9)(16)(17)(20).