1. (a) Each facility, with the exception of home health agencies, frontier extended stay clinics, and intermediate care facilities for individuals with an intellectual disability or related condition, must provide a laundry service.
2. (b) A facility must develop and implement written procedures for handling, processing, storage, and transportation of linen in a manner that will prevent the spread of infection and will assure the maintenance of clean linen.

3. (c) If a facility operates its own laundry, it must be

   1. (1) located so that steam, odors, lint, and objectionable noises do not reach patient or personnel areas;
   2. (2) well-lighted, ventilated, and adequate in size for the needs of the facility;
   3. (3) maintained in a sanitary manner and in good repair;
   4. (4) separate from any storage area; and
   5. (5) organized so that clean and soiled functions are physically separated.
4. (d) A facility must have laundry equipment that provides hot water at a temperature of 160° Fahrenheit unless the facility uses an alternative disinfectant measure, including ozonized water, bleach, or a bleach byproduct, at a lower temperature recommended by the product manufacturer. If the facility uses an alternative disinfectant measure, the facility must develop a written policy and procedure for use of the product and must maintain documentation of the manufacturer's minimum recommended water temperature.
5. (e) Hand-washing and toilet facilities for laundry personnel must be provided at a location convenient to the laundry.
6. (f) Separate covered carts must be used for transporting soiled and clean linen. The carts must be clearly labeled and equipped with washable covers that are laundered or suitably cleaned daily.
7. (g) If laundry service is provided by an outside laundry service establishment, the facility must choose an establishment that meets the requirements of this section.

(Eff. 11/19/83, Register 88; am 12/3/2006, Register 180; am 9/30/2007, Register 183)