(a) Each hospital shall provide, prepare, sterilize and store sufficient sterile supplies and medical and surgical equipment and shall dispense them to all services in the hospital. The operation of this service shall be carried out in an area designated, equipped and staffed for this purpose.

(b) A person qualified by training and experience, recommended by the infection control committee shall be designated to be in charge of the central sterile supply. Liaison with the infection control committee shall be maintained through that person's membership on the committee.

(c) There shall be written procedures developed and maintained pertaining to the cleaning, preparation, disinfection and sterilization of utensils, instruments, solutions, dressings and other articles.

(d) There shall be effective separation of soiled or contaminated supplies and equipment from the clean and sterilized supplies and equipment.

(e) Sterile supplies and equipment shall be stored in clean cabinets, cupboards or other satisfactory spaces. An orderly system of rotation of supplies shall be used so that supplies stored first will be used first.