Section 11-95-14 - Infection control(a) Definitive policies and procedures governing sterilization techniques shall be developed. All equipment shall be sterilized either by pressurized steam sterilization or gas sterilization. The procedures shall be written and shall include: (1) The technique to be used for a particular instrument or group of instruments;(2) The length of time to accomplish sterilization;(3) Termperature, time and pressure control levels established for steam sterilization;(4) Proper methods of preparation of items for sterilization;(5) Shelf storage time for sterile items established;(6) Use of sterilizer indicators;(7) Use of routine (at least monthly) bacteriological sterilization culture controls.(b) Written procedures shall also be developed to provide for: (1) Prohibition of re-use of disposable, one-time use items; and(2) Biologically safe methods of disposal of contaminated items such as needles, syringes, catheters, gloves, pathological wastes, contaminated dressings, and any other contaminated items which might be present in the facility.(c) There shall be an infection control committee established to investigate any patient infection and to take prompt and appropriate remedial action to prevent a recurrence. This committee shall consist of a physician and a registered nurse, in addition to others. The facility shall: (1) Maintain permanent written reports of all results of investigations of infections and the remedial action taken;(2) Report promptly to the licensing branch of the department any infectious diseases which they discover that may present a potential hazard to patients, personnel and the public. Included, but not limited to, are the reportable diseases and the occurrence of other diseases in outbreak form; and(3) Provide for adequate patient post-discharge follow-up in order to discover any patient infection and to record same in the files of the infection control committee.(d) There shall be a continuous education program provided to all facility personnel on the cause, transmission, prevention, and elimination of infections.(e) A policy shall be established for strict control of visitors to prevent their casual access to treatment and post-operative recovery areas.[Eff MAR 3, 1986] (Auth: HRS §§ 321-9, 321-10) (Imp: HRS § 321-10)