Washington Administrative Code › Title 246 - Health, Department of › HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV) › Chapter 246-145 - Body art, body piercing, electrology and tattooing standards for sterilization procedures and infection control › Section 246-145-060 - Sterile procedures in body art, body piercing and tattooing

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) To prevent
				clients from being exposed to diseases through needles or other instruments,
				licensees must:
(a) Use single-use,
				presterilized disposable needles on one client and then dispose of the needle
				immediately in a sharps container. Reusable needles must not be used.
(b) Use single-use sharps on only one client
				and dispose of the items immediately in a sharps container.
(c) Reuse only cleaned and sterilized
				instruments that are intended for multiple use between clients. A distinct,
				separate area must be used for cleaning instruments, wrapping/packaging the
				items and for handling and storing sterilized instruments. Prior to sterilizing
				and as soon as practical after use, instruments must be brushed or swabbed to
				remove foreign material or debris, rinsed, then either:
(i) Submersed and soaked in a protein
				dissolving detergent or enzyme cleaner; or
(ii) Immersed in detergent and water in an
				ultrasonic cleaning unit used according to the manufacturer's instructions;
				and
(iii) Rinsed and dried prior to
				packaging for sterilization. Ensure that the rinse step is adequate for
				removing cleaning residues to levels that will not interfere with the
				subsequent sterilization process.
(iv) Inspect instrument surface for breaks in
				integrity that would impair either cleaning or sterilization. Ensure that
				detergents or enzymatic cleaners are compatible with the metals and other
				materials used in the instruments.
(d) Seal cleaned instruments in bags/packing
				materials that are compatible with the sterilization process and are
				sufficiently strong to resist puncture and tears and are cleared by the FDA.
				Label sterilized instruments with a load number that indicates the sterilizer
				used, the cycle or load number, and the date of sterilization.
(e) Sterilize instruments using a monitored
				sterilizer. Follow the sterilization times, temperatures and other parameters
				recommended by the manufacturers of the instruments, sterilizer and packaging
				used.
(f) Arrange all items to be
				sterilized so all surfaces will be directly exposed to the sterilizing agent,
				which means loading procedures must allow for free circulation of steam (or
				another sterilant) around each item.
(g) Use mechanical, chemical and biologic
				monitors to ensure the effectiveness of the sterilization process.
(i) Monitor each load with mechanical (e.g.,
				time, temperature, pressure) and chemical (internal and external) indicators.
				If the internal chemical indicator is visible, an external indicator is not
				needed.
(ii) At least monthly use
				biologic indicators to test effectiveness of sterilizer with an FDA cleared
				commercial preparation of spores intended specifically for the type and cycle
				parameters of the sterilizer.
(h) For each sterilization cycle, record the
				type of sterilizer and cycle used; the load identification number; the load
				contents; the exposure parameters (e.g., time and temperature); the operator's
				name or initials, and the results of the mechanical, chemical and biological
				monitoring. Records must be retained for three years and must be provided to
				the department upon request.
(i)
				Perform preventive maintenance of sterilizer as directed by the manufacturer's
				instructions.
(j) Handle sterilized
				instruments using aseptic technique to prevent contamination. Store in secure,
				dry, clean cabinets or other secure covered containers to prevent contamination
				and packaging being compromised (e.g., wet, punctured, torn).