1. (a) Clinical contact surfaces.

   1. (1) Examples of clinical contact surfaces are light handles, switches, radiograph equipment, chairside computers, drawer handles, faucet handles, countertops, pens, doorknobs, etc.

   2. (2)

      1. (A) Use barriers such as clear plastic wrap, bags, sheets, tubing, and plastic-backed paper or other materials impervious to moisture to protect clinical contact surfaces.
      2. (B) Barriers must be changed between patients.
   3. (3) Clean and disinfect clinical contact surfaces that are not barrier protected, by using an Environmental Protection Agency-registered hospital disinfectant after each patient following manufacturer’s directions.
   4. (4) Use PPE when cleaning and disinfecting environmental surfaces.

2. (b) Regulated medical waste.

   1. (1) Dispose of regulated medical waste in accordance with federal, state, and local rules and regulations.
   2. (2) Use color-coded or labeled containers that prevent leakage for nonsharp regulated medical waste.

   3. (3)

      1. (A) Place sharp items (needles, glass anesthetic carpules, scalpel blades, ortho bands/wires, broken metal instruments, and burs) in an appropriate sharps container.
      2. (B) Do not overfill.

Codification Notes: "PPE" means personal protective equipment.