N.J. Admin. Code § 8:40-4.5

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

Section 8:40-4.5 - Vehicle sanitation

(a) The interior of the vehicle, including all areas utilized for storage, and the equipment and supplies within the vehicle, shall be kept clean and sanitary. A disinfectant shall be routinely applied to all contact surfaces. The floor, walls and equipment shall be free of stains, dirt, debris, odors and insect infestation.

(b) All interior surfaces shall be covered with stain resistant material that is impervious to blood, vomitus, grease, oil and common cleaning materials.

(c) Blankets, pillows and mattresses shall be kept clean and in good repair. All pillows and mattresses shall have protective, waterproof and stain resistant covers.

(d) Clean linens shall be utilized in the transport of stretcher patients. All linens shall be changed after each patient. Disposable linens may be utilized, so long as they are disposed of after each patient.

(e) There shall be adequate, clean, dustproof storage for clean linens.

(f) Plastic bags and/or covered containers or compartments shall be provided and shall be utilized for all soiled supplies (including linens and blankets) carried within the vehicle.

(g) In order to protect the safety of the general public and emergency response personnel, after a vehicle has been occupied by or used to transport a patient known or suspected to have a communicable disease, the vehicle shall, prior to transportation of another patient, be cleaned and all contact surfaces, equipment and blankets shall be disinfected according to applicable standards set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at 29 C.F.R. § 1910.1030, as amended and supplemented, incorporated herein by reference, and adopted in New Jersey by the Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health Act, N.J.S.A. 36:6A-25 et seq., as amended and supplemented, incorporated herein by reference.

(h) Where possible, only single-service implements shall be inserted into the patient's nose or mouth. These single-service items shall be wrapped and properly stored and disposed of after utilization. Non-disposable patient care equipment shall be decontaminated after each patient utilization in a manner consistent with the sending or receiving health care facility's requirements for equipment decontamination. No airway, tube, catheter or other similar device shall be utilized on more than one patient unless sterilized in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations.

(i) Exterior surfaces of the vehicle shall be routinely cleaned.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:40-4.5