Section 16-72-53 - Sanitation practices Required practices shall include:
(1) A fresh, disposable paper or a fresh sheet shall be used on the examining table for each patient;(2) Hands shall be washed with soap and water before handling a needle and between treatment of different patients;(3) A piercing needle shall be previously unused and sterilized;(4) A piercing needle shall not be used more than once per treatment and shall be disposed of immediately after use in the manner prescribed in paragraph (8) below;(5) Skin, in the area of any acupuncture procedure, shall be thoroughly swabbed with germicidal solution before using any needles;(6) If the sterility of an unused needle or instrument has been compromised, it shall be sterilized at a minimum temperature of 250?F (or 121?C) for not less than thirty minutes at fifteen pounds of pressure per square inch before usage;(7) Prior to its usage on a patient, a reusable instrument or a non-piercing acupuncture needle shall be sterilized at a minimum temperature of 250?F (or 121?C) for not less than thirty minutes at fifteen pounds of pressure per square inch;(8) All used needles for disposal shall be placed in a hazardous waste container that meets standards set by the department of health. All handling of the container, including but not limited to treating, transporting, and disposing of the container, shall conform with the laws and rules of the department of health; and(9) Other reasonable sanitation procedures and practices recommended by governmental agencies or manufacturers shall be followed to protect the health and safety of patients and the public.[Eff 3/12/76; am and ren § 16-72-53, 6/22/81; am and comp 12/30/82; comp 11/20/86; am and comp 11/25/88; am and comp 10/26/00] (Auth: HRS § 436E-7) (Imp: HRS § 436E-7)