(1) An adequate supply of clean linen shall be provided for at least three complete bed changes for the hospital's full bed capacity.

(2) There shall be written procedures developed and maintained pertaining to the handling, storage, transportation and processing of linens.

(3) If the hospital operates its own laundry, such laundry shall be:

(4) Hospital linens shall be washed according to the following method:

All linens shall be washed using an effective soap or detergent and thoroughly rinsed to remove soap or detergent and soil. Linens shall be exposed to water at a minimum temperature of 71°C (160°F) for at least 24 minutes during the washing process, or a lower temperature of 60°C (140°F.) for 24 minutes may be utilized if the linens are subsequently passed through a flatwork ironer at 110-115 feet per minute at a temperature of 300°F. or a tumbler dryer at a temperature of 180°F.

(5) Separate rooms shall be maintained in the hospital for storage of clean linen and for storage of soiled linen. Linen storage rooms shall be adequate in size for the needs of the hospital and shall not be used for any other purpose. Storage shall not be permitted in attic spaces, corridors or plenums (air distribution chambers) of air conditioning or ventilating systems.

(6) Handwashing and toilet facilities for laundry personnel shall be provided at locations convenient to the laundry.

(7) Soiled and clean linen carts shall be so labeled and provided with covers made of washable materials which shall be laundered daily or suitably cleaned daily.

(8) If the hospital does not maintain a laundry service, the commercial laundry utilized shall meet the standards of this section.

(1) Laundry shall be handled, stored and processed in a manner that will prevent the spread of infection and will assure the maintenance of clean linen.

(2) Each of the following classes of laundry shall be separately transported, stored and washed:

(3) Soiled linen shall be sorted in a separate enclosed room by a person instructed in methods of protection from contamination. This person shall not have responsibility for immediately handling clean linen.

(4) Soiled linen shall be stored and transported in a closed container which does not permit airborne contamination of corridors and areas occupied by patients, and precludes the cross-contamination of clean linen.

(5) If soiled linen is transported in wheeled containers such conveyances shall not be used for transporting clean linen. Carts or conveyances and their contents shall be covered during the transportation process.

(6) If chutes are used for transporting soiled linen, the chutes shall be maintained in a clean, sanitary state.

(1) Clean linen shall be sorted, handled and transported in such a manner as to prevent cross-contamination.

(2) Clean linen carts shall be used only for the purpose of transportation or storage of clean linen.

(3) Persons processing clean linen shall be dressed in clean garments at all times while on duty and shall not handle soiled linen.

(4) Clean linen from a commercial laundry shall be delivered to the hospital completely wrapped and delivered to a designated clean area.

(5) Clean linen in patient care units shall be stored in clean, ventilated closets, rooms or alcoves, used for that purpose only. Corridors shall not be used for storage of linen.

(6) If clean linen is stored in the laundry area, it shall be stored in a room separate from the sorting room, laundry room or soiled linen room.