(a)

1. (1) Each facility shall have provisions for storing and processing of clean and soiled linen for appropriate patient care.

2. (2) Processing may be done:

   1. (A) Within the facility;
   2. (B) In a separate building onsite or offsite; or
   3. (C) In a commercial or shared laundry.

(b) Facility processing.

1. (1) Facilities and equipment shall be as required for cost-effective operation as described in the functional program.

2. (2) At a minimum, the following elements shall be included:

   1. (A) A separate room for receiving and holding soiled linen until ready for pickup or processing;
   2. (B) A central, clean linen storage and issuing room or rooms in addition to the linen storage required at individual patient units;
   3. (C) Cart storage area or areas for separate parking of clean-linen carts and soiled-linen carts out of traffic;
   4. (D)

(i) A clean-linen inspection and mending room or area.

1. (ii) If not provided elsewhere, a clean linen inspection, delinting, folding, assembly, and packaging area should be provided as part of the linen services.

   1. (iii) Mending should be provided for in the linen services department.

      1. (iv) A space for tables, shelving, and storage should be provided; and

   2. (E) Handwashing stations in each area where unbagged soiled linen is handled.

      1. (c)

2. (1) If linen is processed in a laundry facility that is not part of the licensed facility, provisions shall also be made for:

   1. (A) A service entrance, protected from inclement weather, for loading and unloading of linen; and
   2. (B) Control station for pickup and receiving.

3. (2) The hospital is responsible for ensuring the commercial laundry does comply with 20 CAR § 41-145, physical environment.

   1. (d) If linen is processed in a laundry facility that is part of the licensed facility, the following shall be provided in addition to that of 20 CAR § 41-167(b):

4. (1)

   1. (A) A receiving, holding, and sorting room for control and distribution of soiled linen.
   2. (B) Discharge from soiled linen chutes may be received within this room or in a separate room;

5. (2)

   1. (A) Laundry processing room with commercial-type equipment that can process at least a seven-day supply within the regular scheduled workweek.
   2. (B) This may require a capacity for processing a seven-day supply in a forty-hour week;
6. (3) Storage for laundry supplies;
7. (4) Employee handwashing stations in each room where clean or soiled linen is processed and handled;

8. (5) Arrangement of equipment that will:

   1. (A) Permit an orderly workflow; and
   2. (B) Minimize cross-traffic that might mix clean and soiled operations; and

9. (6) Conveniently accessible staff:

   1. (A) Lockers;
   2. (B) Showers; and
   3. (C) Lounge.