HAR §11-95-14
HAR §11-95-14. Infection control
Cite as Haw. Code R. § 11-95-14
(a) Definitive
policies and procedures governing sterilization
techniques shall be developed. All equipment shall be
sterilized either by pressurized steam sterilization or
gas sterilization. The procedures shall be written and
shall include:
(1)
The technique to be used for a particular
instrument or group of instruments;
(2)
The length of time to accomplish
sterilization;
(3)
Termperature, time and pressure control levels
established for steam sterilization;
(4)
Proper methods of preparation of items for
sterilization;
(5)
Shelf storage time for sterile items
established;
(6)
Use of sterilizer indicators;
(7)
Use of routine (at least monthly)
bacteriological sterilization culture
controls.
(b)
Written procedures shall also be developed to
provide for:
(1)
Prohibition of re-use of disposable, one-time
use items; and
(2)
Biologically safe methods of disposal of
contaminated items such as needles, syringes,
catheters, gloves, pathological wastes,
contaminated dressings, and any other
contaminated items which might be present in
the facility.
(c)
There shall be an infection control committee
established to investigate any patient infection and to
take prompt and appropriate remedial action to prevent a
recurrence. This committee shall consist of a physician
and a registered nurse, in addition to others. The
facility shall:
(1)
Maintain permanent written reports of all
results of investigations of infections and
the remedial action taken;
(2)
Report promptly to the licensing branch of the
department any infectious diseases which they
discover that may present a potential hazard
to patients, personnel and the public.
Included, but not limited to, are the
reportable diseases and the occurrence of
other diseases in outbreak form; and
(3)
Provide for adequate patient post-discharge
follow-up in order to discover any patient
infection and to record same in the files of
the infection control committee.
(d)
There shall be a continuous education program
provided to all facility personnel on the cause,
transmission, prevention, and elimination of infections.
(e)
A policy shall be established for strict
control of visitors to prevent their casual access to
treatment and post-operative recovery areas.
[Eff March 3, 1986] (Auth: HRS §§321-9, 321-10) (Imp:
HRS §321-10)