1. (1) Handwashing. Proper handwashing is the single most effective means of infection control. Before and after the delivery of electrolysis services, the electrologist shall wash her hands. In washing her hands, the electrologist shall use soap and warm water according to the requirements of paragraphs (a)-(d), of this subsection. The electrologist shall:

   1. (a) Vigorously rub together all surfaces of lathered hands, especially between fingers and fingernail areas, for at least ten (10) seconds;
   2. (b) Thoroughly rinse her hands under a stream of warm water;
   3. (c) Thoroughly dry her hands with a clean, disposable paper towel; and,
   4. (d) Turn off the faucets without allowing her hands to come in contact with the faucets.

2. (2) Use of Gloves.

   1. (a) An electrologist shall use non-sterile disposable latex or vinyl examination gloves in the delivery of electrolysis. A fresh pair of gloves shall be worn for each client. Examination gloves are not general purpose gloves.
   2. (b) If, during the course of treatment, the electrologist’s gloved hand comes in contact with any inanimate object that is not sanitary, the electrologist shall remove and dispose of the gloves she is wearing, wash her hands, and use a fresh pair of gloves.
   3. (c) The electrologist may not reuse examination gloves and shall dispose of them in the regular trash after each single use.
   4. (d) The examination gloves must fit the electrologist’s hands properly so as to allow the careful manipulation of instruments. Loose-fitting gloves may not be used because they can cause accidental needle-stick injuries.
   5. (e) After a treatment is completed, the electrologist may not remove her examination gloves until after she has performed the post-treatment procedures set out in subsection (5), of this rule.
3. (3) Electrologists who have weeping dermatitis or draining lesions on their hands or forearms may not render electrolysis services until the condition has cleared.

4. (4) Pre-Treatment Procedures.

   1. (a) Before beginning treatment, the electrologist shall determine that the client is free from any visible skin abnormalities (e.g., herpes, blisters, rashes). If there are visible skin abnormalities, the electrologist may not perform electrolysis in the area of the abnormality.
   2. (b) The electrologist shall clean the skin area to be treated, wiping it with a fresh, non-sterile cotton ball saturated with either soap and water, or a germicidal skin preparation such as an iodophor or 3% United States pharmaceutical grade hydrogen peroxide or 70% isopropyl alcohol, after ascertaining from the client that there are no known allergies to the product to be used.

5. (5) Post-Treatment Procedures.

   1. (a) After treatment, but before removing her gloves, the electrologist shall:

      1. Wipe the treatment site with a fresh, non-sterile cotton ball saturated with an antiseptic product such as 3% United States pharmaceutical grade hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel or 70% isopropyl alcohol. The electrologist may follow with a soothing emollient cream or lotion on the treated area at her discretion,

      2. Dispose of disposable instruments used on the client in a puncture resistant sharps container consistent with Chapter 64E-16, F.A.C., governing the disposal of biohazardous/biomedical waste. When the container is full, the electrologist shall dispose of it consistent with Chapter 64E-16, F.A.C., and Section 381.0098, F.S., governing the disposal and transport of biohazardous/biomedical waste,

      3. If the instruments are nondisposable, the electrologist shall rinse and wipe them with a non-sterile cotton ball saturated with a solution of cool water and a protein dissolving enzyme detergent or low-residue detergent or place them in a covered holding container filled with a solution of cool water and a protein dissolving enzyme detergent or a low residue detergent. A rust-inhibitor product may be added to the solution in the holding container at the discretion of the electrologist,

      4. Clean non-removable needle holder tips with a non-sterile cotton ball saturated with a solution of cool water and a protein dissolving enzyme detergent or low-residue detergent. If the needle holder tip is removable, the electrologist shall place it in a covered holding container for disinfection of the needle holder tip. The holding container shall be filled with disinfecting solution used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. The holding container shall be emptied daily or sooner if it is visibly contaminated then cleaned, dried and refilled,

      5. Wipe the needle holder, needle holder cord, and inactive electrode, if used, with a disinfectant.

   2. (b) The electrologist shall remove and dispose of her gloves in the regular trash only after completing the tasks set forth in subparagraphs (a)1.-5., of this subsection. Then she shall wash and dry her hands as set forth in subsection (1), of this rule.

6. (6) Cleaning and Sterilizing Instruments.

   1. (a) After cleaning and drying nondisposable instruments the electrologist shall sterilize them before using them again.

   2. (b) When cleaning and drying instruments in anticipation of sterilization, the electrologist shall wear latex or vinyl gloves, and shall use water, detergents, and mechanical or manual action in the cleaning process. When drying the instruments, the electrologist may use any drying method such as air drying, blow drying or hand drying.

      1. If the electrologist cleans manually, she shall scrub each instrument individually by hand, using a small brush, water and detergent, and thoroughly rinse each instrument with water to remove any deposits left on the instrument.

      2. If the electrologist uses a mechanical cleaning device, such as an ultrasonic cleaner, the electrologist shall follow the manufacturer’s instructions if there are specific instructions for use of the mechanical cleaning device in the practice of electrology. If no such specific instructions exist then the electrologist shall use a solution of cool water and a protein dissolving enzyme detergent in the mechanical cleaning device and allow five (5) minutes mechanical cleaning time for the instruments in the solution. Thereafter, the electrologist shall pour out the solution and rinse the instruments with water to remove any residue or debris.

      3. Holding solutions and cleaning solutions must be changed daily.

   3. (c) After cleaning and drying the instruments, the electrologist shall sterilize them using either an autoclave sterilizer or a dry-heat sterilizer. The endodontic dry heat “glass bead sterilizer” may not be used for instrument sterilization. In sterilizing the instruments, the electrologist shall comply with the following:

      1. If using an autoclave sterilizer, the electrologist shall sterilize the instruments at 121 degrees C (250 degrees F) at 15 pounds per square inch for 15 minutes if the instruments are unpackaged or 30 minutes if they are packaged.

      2. If using a dry-heat sterilizer, the electrologist shall sterilize the instruments at 170 degrees C (340 degrees F) for one hour or at 160 degrees C (320 degrees F) for two hours.

      3. Sterilization times shall not include heat-up lag time.

      4. The sterilizers shall be spore tested at least once a month, or more often if recommended by the manufacturer, and the electrologist shall record the results of each spore test. The results of each test shall be maintained by the electrologist for at least three (3) years, and the results shall be made available for inspection upon request. An electrologist may not use a defective sterilizer.

      5. If instruments are not packaged in materials already including chemical color-change indicators, the electrologist shall include a chemical color-change indicator in the load being sterilized so that she may be able to differentiate between processed and unprocessed loads. This chemical color-change indicator does not indicate sterility, but its use will alert the electrologist of equipment malfunction.

      6. Pre-sterilized needles/probes shall be stored so as to maintain sterility and shall not be used after the manufacturer’s expiration date on the package.

      a. Packaged reusable instruments which have been sterilized shall be stored in a closed container so as to maintain sterility.

      b. Unwrapped instruments which have been sterilized shall be stored in a covered, sterile container.

      7. In removing instruments from their sterile containers, an electrologist shall maintain sterility.

      8. Should sterility of instruments be compromised, the electrologist shall sterilize them again before using them for an electrolysis treatment.

7. (7) Miscellaneous.

   1. (a) The electrologist shall maintain the room in which electrolysis is performed in a sanitary condition. “Sanitary condition” means that, before a treatment day begins, all hair, dust and dirt is removed from the floors and surfaces, the waste baskets are emptied, and the sinks, treatment tables/chairs, treatment lamps, magnifier lamps, magnifying devices (optical loupes, microscopes), external surfaces of epilator machines, needle-holder tips, and eyeshields are disinfected by scrubbing method. In disinfecting these items, the electrologist shall use a tuberculocidal hospital grade disinfectant detergent registered by the Environmental Protection Agency, or a solution of 1-100 combination of water and household bleach or wiping cloths pre-saturated with disinfectant for wiping non-porous surfaces.
   2. (b) The electrologist shall use gloves for the chores described in this section and for instrument cleaning and sterilization procedures.
   3. (c) The electrologist shall ensure that soiled towels/linens are handled as little as possible. If the towels/linens are not immediately taken to the washing machine, the electrologist shall ensure that they are bagged at the location where they are used, that they are rolled for bagging so that the driest portions are on the outside, and that they are sorted, rinsed, and laundered in an area away from the room in which electroloysis is performed.
   4. (d) Soiled towels/linens shall be washed with detergent and bleach in hot water for at least 5 minutes on the wash cycle of a washing machine.
   5. (e) The electrologist shall use fresh disposable paper towels or clean towels/linen on the treatment table for each client. If necessary prior to treatment, the electrologist shall also drape the client using fresh disposable paper drapes or clean towels/linens.
   6. (f) The electrologist shall store clean towels/linens in a closed container or compartment.
   7. (g) The electrologist shall ensure that all antiseptic or other products used for pre-treatment or post-treatment shall be in the manufacturer’s containers or in a clearly marked container. The container must be designed to prevent the product from becoming contaminated, and the electrologist must maintain the cleanliness and sanitation of the container. Should the container or the product become dirty or contaminated, the electrologist shall clean the container and replace the product.
8. (8) For the purpose of this rule, the word “instruments” means needles/probes and tweezers/forceps.
9. (9) For the purpose of this rule, the pronoun “she” also refers to the masculine.

Rulemaking Authority 478.43(1) FS. Law Implemented 478.43(4), 478.51(3) FS. History–New 1-5-95, Formerly 59R-56.001, Amended 12-23-97.