WAC 246-145-030. Sterile procedures in electrology

To ensure that clients are not exposed to disease through needles or other instruments, electrologists must: (1) Use single-use, presterilized disposable needles on one client and then dispose of the needle immediately in a puncture-resistant container; (2) Not use reusable needles; (3) Use single-use sharp items on only one client and dispose of the items immediately in a puncture-resistant container; (4) Only reuse cleaned and sterilized sharp items and instruments that are intended for multiple use; (5) Thoroughly clean and sterilize reusable sharp items and instruments between clients; (6) Accumulate reusable sharp items and instruments in a holding container by submersion in a solution of a protein-dissolving enzyme detergent and water; (7) Sterilize reusable items in a steam autoclave or dry-heat sterilizer, which is used, cleaned and maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions; (8) Resterilize a reusable sterile instrument before using it on a client, if it is contaminated by dropping, by touching an unsterile surface, by a torn package, by the package being punctured, damaged, wet or by some other means; (9) Immediately dispose of a single-use item in a puncture-resistant container, if it is contaminated by dropping, by touching an unsterile surface, by a torn package, by the package being punctured, damaged, wet or by some other means; (10) Immediately dispose of an instrument in a puncture-resistant container if the expiration date has passed; and (11) Monitor sterilizers to determine that all conditions of sterilization are met. This includes: (a) Assuring that sterilizers have a thermometer and timer to indicate whether adequate heat has been applied to packaged equipment; (b) Using or checking chemical indicators on each package to assure the items have been exposed to the sterilization process; (c) Sterilizers must be tested by biological spore tests according to the manufacturer's instructions. In the event of a positive biological spore test, the electrologist must take immediate action to ensure all conditions of sterilization are met; and (d) Documentation of monitoring must be maintained either in the form of a log reflecting dates and person(s) conducting the testing or copies of reports from an independent testing entity. The documentation must be maintained at least three years.