S.D. Admin. R. 44:70:02:08

Current through Register Vol. 51, page 71, January 6, 2025

Section 44:70:02:08 - Linen

The supply of bed linens shall equal two times the licensed capacity. The facility shall have written procedures for the storage and handling of soiled and clean linens. The facility shall contract with commercial laundry services or the laundry service of another licensed health care facility for all common-use linens if laundry services are not provided on the premises. A facility providing laundry services shall have adequate space and equipment for the safe and effective operation of the laundry service. Commingled residents' personal clothing; common use linens such as towels, washcloths, gowns, clothing protectors, and bedding; any isolation clothing; and housekeeping items shall be processed by methods that assure disinfection. The facility shall process laundry following the laundry equipment and cleaning agent recommendations. If hot water is used for disinfection, minimum water temperature supplied for laundry purposes shall be one hundred sixty degrees Fahrenheit (F.) or seventy-one degrees centigrade. If chlorine bleach is added to the laundry process following the manufacturer's direction, the minimum hot water temperatures supplied for laundry purposes may be reduced to one hundred twenty degrees Fahrenheit (F.) or forty-nine degrees centigrade. The facility may choose to wash commingled residents' personal clothing, common-use linens, and any isolation clothing in water temperatures less than one hundred twenty degrees Fahrenheit (F). if the following conditions are met:

(1) The supplier of the chemical specifies low-temperature wash formulas in writing for the machines used in the facility;

(2) Charts providing specific information concerning the formulas to be used for each machine are posted in an area accessible to personnel;

(3) The facility ensures laundry personnel receive in-service training by the chemical supplier on a routine basis, regarding chemical usage and monitoring of wash operations; and

(4) The facility ensures personnel monitor chemical usage and wash water temperatures at least monthly to ensure conformance with the chemical supplier's instructions.

Any resident's personal clothing that is not commingled may be processed according to manufacturer's recommendations using water temperatures and detergent in quantity as recommended by the garment or detergent manufacturer. The facility shall have distinct areas for the storage and handling of clean and soiled linens. Those areas used for the storage and handling of soiled linens must be negatively pressurized. The facility shall establish special procedures for the handling and processing of contaminated linens. Soiled linen must be placed in closed containers prior to transportation. To safeguard clean linens from cross-contamination, the linens must be transported in containers used exclusively for clean linens, must be kept covered with dust covers at all times while in transit or in hallways, and must be stored in areas designated exclusively for this purpose. Any written request for any modification of the requirements of this section shall be reviewed and approved by the department before any changes are made.

S.D. Admin. R. 44:70:02:08

38 SDR 115, effective 1/9/2012; 46 SDR 065, effective 11/26/2019; 50 SDR 019, effective 8/30/2023

General Authority: SDCL 34-12-13(2).

Law Implemented: SDCL 34-12-13(2).