Section 7.12.730. Central service.

	(a)  If a facility processes sterilized instruments and supplies, it must meet the requirements in this section. If a facility receives sterilized instruments and supplies from another entity through contract or agreement, the facility must ensure the contractor meets the requirements in this section.  
	(b)  A facility must maintain a separate area for processing, decontamination, if necessary, and storage of sterile supplies and materials.  
	(c)  A facility must develop and implement written policies and procedures for the cleaning, antimicrobial processing, and storage of supplies and equipment to prevent the transmission of infection through their use.  
	(d)  Traffic in an area designated for processing, decontamination, and storage of supplies must be restricted to properly attired authorized personnel. Birth centers, frontier extended stay clinics, and nursing homes are not required to comply with this subsection.  
	(e)  Shipping cartons may not be stored with sterile products.  
	(f)  A facility must retain records of bacteriological efficiency monitoring of autoclaves at recommended frequency for three years.  
	(g)  Instructions for the operation of autoclaves must be posted near the equipment.  
	(h)  Each facility must maintain a retrieval system for supplies whose sterility is questionable.  
	(i)  A hospice agency that does not provide inpatient care on agency premises is exempt from the requirements of this section.  

Authorities

18.05.040;47.32.010;47.32.030

Notes

Reference

7 AAC 12.170
7 AAC 12.342
7 AAC 12.600

Authority

AS 18.05.040 AS 47.32.010 AS 47.32.030

History

Eff. 11/19/83, Register 88; am 5/4/97, Register 142; am 12/3/2006, Register 180; am 5/24/2007, Register 182