15A NCAC 18A .1319      FURNISHINGS and laundry

(a)  Furnishings in an institution, including furniture, curtains, rugs, and blinds, shall be kept clean and in good repair. Mattresses shall be kept clean, dry, and in good repair.

(b)  Bed linens that are provided by the institution for use by residents shall be free from holes and tears. A resident's bed linens shall be changed when no longer clean. Linens that are not clean shall be placed in a covered container or bag devoted to this purpose at the point of use and stored in the covered container or bag until sanitized in accordance with Paragraph (c) of this Rule to contain and minimize aerosolization of and exposure to any waste products. Such covered containers or bags shall be kept clean between uses and labeled to indicate the contents. Linens that are not clean shall be handled and stored separately from cleaned and sanitized linens.

(c)  Linens provided by the institution that are not clean shall be cleaned and sanitized in accordance with this paragraph. When hot water in washing machines is used to sanitize linens provided by the institution, the washing machines shall be operated in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. When chemicals are used to sanitize linens provided by the institution, linens shall be washed in accordance with the following:

(1)           using a solution of at least 50 parts per million chlorine; or

(2)           using laundry sanitizer that is registered in accordance with 40 C.F.R. 152 and that is used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

(d)  Clothing and linens that are provided by a resident for the resident's personal use shall be that resident's personal laundry. Personal laundry that is not clean shall be kept separate from clean clothing and linens using covered containers or bags that are labeled to indicate their contents and kept clean between uses. Containers or bags that are used to hold personal laundry that is not clean shall not be used for clean personal laundry. When a resident's personal laundry is combined with the personal laundry of one or more other residents and washed together by the institution, the combined personal laundry shall be washed in accordance with Paragraph (c) of this Rule.

(e)  Laundry areas and equipment shall be kept clean.

(f)  Wheelchairs, walkers, lifts, and other mobility equipment shall be kept clean and sanitized between uses by different residents.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 130A-4; 130A-29; 130A‑235;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Readopted Eff. December 5, 1977;

Amended Eff. March 1, 2003 (see S.L. 2002-160); August 1, 1998; February 1, 1997; September 1, 1990;

Temporary Amendment Eff. June 1, 2003;

Amended Eff. February 1, 2004;

Readopted Eff. December 1, 2022.