N.J. Admin. Code § 13:35-9.15

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 13:35-9.15 - Precautionary and sterilization procedures

(a) All non-disposable needles and acupuncture equipment that comes into contact with the patient's blood or bodily fluids or penetrates the skin, and equipment used to handle or store needles or other acupuncture equipment that comes into contact with the patient's blood or bodily fluids or penetrates the skin, shall be sterilized prior to each use. Prior to sterilization, all equipment to be sterilized shall be thoroughly cleaned with a disinfectant or cleansing solution.

(b) Sterilization shall be accomplished before use by one of the following methods:

1. Steam autoclave at 250 degrees Fahrenheit (120 degrees Celsius) and 15 pounds per square inch of pressure for 30 minutes;

2. Equivalent dry heat; or

3. Ethylene oxide gas sterilization.

(c) Sterilization equipment shall be used and maintained strictly in accordance with the guidelines of the manufacturer of the equipment, and shall be monitored regularly in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines to determine whether the equipment is functioning properly.

(d) The following methods of sterilization are prohibited: boiling acupuncture equipment, soaking acupuncture equipment in alcohol or other antiseptic solution, or glass bead sterilization.

(e) Disposable acupuncture needles shall be placed in a rigid, puncture-proof, sealable container. The container shall be sealed and labeled as a disposal container and shall be labeled as bio-hazardous material. The disposal container shall be wiped with a disinfectant if blood or other bodily fluids are spilled on the outside of the container. The acupuncturist shall dispose of the container pursuant to the requirements of the Department of Environmental Protection implementing the Comprehensive Regulated Medical Waste Management Act, 13:1E-48.1 et seq., and N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A. The acupuncturist may delegate the responsibility to dispose the container to an agent approved by the Department of Environmental Protection.

(f) If a licensee learns that a patient has a blood-borne infectious disease, the licensee shall use only disposable needles in treating the patient.

(g) The acupuncturist shall ensure that personnel responsible for performing sterilization procedures pursuant to this rule are adequately trained and supplied with a written outline of sterilization procedures. A copy of the outline shall be maintained on the premises.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:35-9.15

Amended by R.1999 d.356, effective 10/18/1999.
See: 31 N.J.R. 1742(a), 31 N.J.R. 3117(a).
In (c), substituted a reference to equipment for a reference to instruments; rewrote (d) and (e); in (f), deleted "in the course of treatment of a patient," following "If", and deleted "highly" following "blood-borne"; and in (g), substituted "The acupuncturist shall" for "It shall be the responsibility of the certified acupuncturist to" at the beginning.
Amended by R.2005 d.120, effective 4/18/2005.
See: 36 N.J.R. 4633(a), 37 N.J.R. 1203(a).
In (f), substituted "certificate holder" for "licensee" throughout.
Recodified from N.J.A.C. 13:35-9.10 and amended by R.2010 d.101, effective 6/21/2010.
See: 41 N.J.R. 2617(a), 42 N.J.R. 1216(a).
Rewrote (e). Former N.J.A.C. 13:35-9.15, Responsibilities of the acupuncture apprentice, recodified to N.J.A.C. 13:35-9.19.
Amended by R.2014 d.066, effective 4/21/2014.
See: 45 N.J.R. 729(a), 45 N.J.R. 1589(a), 46 N.J.R. 695(b).
In (f), substituted "licensee" for "certificate holder" twice.