(1) The nursing home must meet the requirements of WAC
388-97-2780, and:
(a) Launder nursing home linens on the premises; or
(b) Contract with a laundry service capable of meeting quality standards, infection control, and turn-around time requirements; and
(c) Make provision for laundering of residents' personal clothing.
(2) For residents' personal clothing, the nursing home:
(a) Must have a system in place to ensure that personal clothing is not damaged or lost during handling and laundering; and
(b) May use a chemical disinfectant in lieu of hot water disinfection provided that the nursing home:
(i) Uses the product according to the manufacturer's instructions; and
(ii) Has readily available, current documentation from the manufacturer that supports the claim that the product is effective as a laundry disinfectant and such documentation is based on scientific studies or other rational data. "Disinfectant" means a germicide that inactivates virtually all recognized pathogenic microorganisms (but not necessarily all microbial forms, such as bacterial spores) on inanimate objects.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters
18.51 and
74.42 RCW and 42 C.F.R. 489.52. WSR 08-20-062, § 388-97-1860, filed 9/24/08, effective 11/1/08.]