CHAPTER 147. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec.
147.1. Principle.
147.2. Maintenance of safety and sanitation.
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS
147.11. Principle.
147.12. Organization.
147.13. Directors.
147.14. Personnel, environmental services.
147.15. Education programs.
147.16. Reference material.
INFECTION CONTROL
147.21. [Reserved].
147.22. [Reserved].
HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES
147.31. Procedures.
147.32. Rodent and insect control.
147.33. Housekeeping and rubbish carts.
147.34. Storage areas.
MAINTENANCE SERVICE
147.41. Policies and procedure.
147.42. Mechanical systems.
147.43. Ventilation system.
LAUNDRY SERVICE
147.51. Principle.
147.52. Clean linen.
147.53. Soiled linen.
147.54. Laundry facilities.
147.55. Off-premises laundry service.
WATER SUPPLY
147.61. Source water.
147.62. Emergency water supply.
WASTE DISPOSAL
147.71. Liquid waste.
147.72. Garbage disposal.
147.73. Refuse disposal.
147.74. Bacteriological and pathological wastes.
147.75. Incinerators.
MISCELLANEOUS
147.81. Lighting.
147.82. Sterilization control.Cross References This chapter cited in 55 Pa. Code § 6100.2 (relating to applicability).
GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 147.1. Principle.
A clean, safe environment shall be provided and maintained within the hospital in accordance with standards specified by the Department of Environmental Protection in 25 Pa. Code Chapter 173 (Reserved) in addition to the provisions of this subpart.
§ 147.2. Maintenance of safety and sanitation.
The hospital shall be equipped, operated, and maintained so as to sustain its safe and sanitary characteristics and to minimize all health hazards in the hospital, for the protection of both patients and employes.
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS
§ 147.11. Principle.
Housekeeping, laundry and maintenance functions shall be effectively organized, directed and staffed by qualified personnel.
§ 147.12. Organization.
Each department or service shall have a current written organization plan. Each such plan shall indicate all categories of personnel employed in the department, and shall clearly define the lines of communication.
§ 147.13. Directors.
(a) Each environmental service or department shall be supervised by a director who shall be qualified for the position by education, training, or experience. Directors shall develop departmental policies and procedures, train and supervise personnel, schedule and assign responsibilities and maintain communication with other department heads in the hospital. Directors of environmental services shall be responsible to the chief executive officer of the hospital or his designee.
(b) Each department providing environmental services shall have written policies and procedures and shall make them available to environmental services personnel.
§ 147.14. Personnel, environmental services.
Sufficient personnel shall be employed to fulfill the needs of each department or service. Supervisory personnel shall be employed to ensure the effective implementation of departmental goals and objectives.
§ 147.15. Education programs.
An initial orientation and continuing in-service education program should be provided for all environmental services employes. Personnel assigned to environmental duties in special areas, such as the surgical suite, obstetrical units, emergency service, special care units and inhalation therapy units shall receive additional training in the execution of procedures unique to these departments.
§ 147.16. Reference material.
Current reference manuals, pamphlets, journals and books, as well as information and scientific data from manufacturers concerning their products should be available to environmental service employes for reference and guidance.
INFECTION CONTROL
Source The provisions of these § § 147.21—147.22 reserved December 3, 1982, effective December 4, 1982, 12 Pa.B. 4129. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (37925) to (37926).
§ 147.21. [Reserved].
Cross References This section cited in 28 Pa. Code § 111.25 (relating to infection control); and 28 Pa. Code § 139.25 (relating to control of infection).
§ 147.22. [Reserved].
HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES
§ 147.31. Procedures.
A manual shall be established setting forth policy and procedure for use, cleaning, and care of equipment; for establishment of cleaning schedules; for cleaning methods; and for proper use of cleaning supplies.
§ 147.32. Rodent and insect control.
The hospital shall have a program for the prevention and eradication of rodents, pests and insects.
§ 147.33. Housekeeping and rubbish carts.
Housekeeping carts and carts used to transport rubbish shall not be stored on any patient unit unless enclosed storage space is provided for that purpose.
§ 147.34. Storage areas.
Storage areas shall be kept uncluttered. The lower shelves in storage areas shall be so constructed as to allow access for cleaning beneath them.
MAINTENANCE SERVICE
§ 147.41. Policies and procedure.
Written policies and procedures for the maintenance of the physical plant and equipment shall be available to all employes. Written procedures shall be readily available for employes to follow in the event of a breakdown in mechanical systems or utilities.
§ 147.42. Mechanical systems.
Mechanical systems throughout the hospital shall be maintained in accordance with a written preventive maintenance program.
§ 147.43. Ventilation system.
The ventilation system shall be inspected and maintained in accordance with the written maintenance schedule to ensure that a properly conditioned air supply meeting minimum filtration, humidity and temperature requirements is provided in critical areas, such as the surgical and delivery suites, emergency operating rooms, nurseries, recovery and isolation units.
Cross References This section cited in 28 Pa. Code § 119.43 (relating to basic facilities for outpatient surgery).
LAUNDRY SERVICE
§ 147.51. Principle.
The hospital shall establish and maintain an organized laundry service with equipment on the premises or through a shared or commercial service or through both a shared and a commercial service.
Cross References This section cited in 28 Pa. Code § 147.55 (relating to off-premises laundry service).
§ 147.52. Clean linen.
Clean linens shall be available to meet the daily and emergency needs of the hospital. Clean linen shall be handled and stored in such a way as to minimize contamination from surface contact or airborne deposits.
Cross References This section cited in 28 Pa. Code § 147.55 (relating to off-premises laundry service).
§ 147.53. Soiled linen.
Soiled linen shall be collected and stored in such a manner as to avoid microbial dissemination into the environment. Soiled linen shall be kept segregated from clean linen at all times. Soiled linen from isolation areas shall be identified and separately bagged. Precautions shall be taken in the subsequent processing of soiled linen from isolation areas to prevent microbial dissemination and infection.
Cross References This section cited in 28 Pa. Code § 147.55 (relating to off-premises laundry service).
§ 147.54. Laundry facilities.
The laundry areas shall be planned, equipped, and ventilated in such a way as to prevent the dissemination of contaminents. Laundry facilities, when located in the hospital, shall be separated from the clean linen processing area, patient rooms, food preparation and food storage areas, and areas used to store clean materials and equipment.
Cross References This section cited in 28 Pa. Code § 147.55 (relating to off-premises laundry service).
§ 147.55. Off-premises laundry service.
Hospitals using off-premises or commercial linen processing shall require the agency providing the service to maintain at least the standards outlined in § § 47.51—147.55 (relating to laundry service) and the contract shall so state. The off-premises laundry service must ensure that clean linen is completely packaged and is protected from contamination upon delivery to the hospital.
Cross References This section cited in 28 Pa. Code § 147.55 (relating to off-premises laundry service).
WATER SUPPLY
§ 147.61. Source water.
Water shall be obtained from a municipal or a private water system approved by the Department of Environmental Protection and in compliance with applicable Federal, State and local regulations.
§ 147.62. Emergency water supply.
Provisions shall be made for an emergency supply of water when the usual source of water is neither usable nor available.
WASTE DISPOSAL
§ 147.71. Liquid waste.
Building sewers shall be approved by the Department of Environmental Protection and in compliance with local regulations.
§ 147.72. Garbage disposal.
Garbage unless disposed through garbage grinders, shall be stored in tight, nonabsorbent, and readily cleanable containers with tight-fitting lids and should be stored in a refrigerated room which is easily cleanable and free of odors. Garbage shall be removed from the premises as frequently as necessary to prevent nuisance and shall be disposed of in a manner consistent with Federal, State and local regulations, codes and ordinances.
§ 147.73. Refuse disposal.
Refuse shall be stored in covered trash containers prior to removal. Combustible refuse may be burned on the premises in a suitable incinerator, provided this method of disposal is approved by the Department of Environmental Protection and appropriate local regulatory agencies.
§ 147.74. Bacteriological and pathological wastes.
Pathological and bacteriological wastes, surgical and obstetrical wastes, contaminated wastes and similar materials shall be incinerated on the premises or disposed of by a method approved by the Department of Environmental Protection and in compliance with local regulations.
§ 147.75. Incinerators.
Incineration facilities shall be approved by the Department of Environmental Protection.
MISCELLANEOUS
§ 147.81. Lighting.
Glare-free, artificial lighting shall be provided in all areas of the hospital. Minimum intensity requirement for artificial light in various occupied places, corridors, stairways, and so forth shall meet the standards as specified by the levels listed by Public Health Service Publication. Hospital Electrical Facilities, 930D-16 (Revision January 1969).
§ 147.82. Sterilization control.
There shall be written policies establishing a method of control to assure sterilization of supplies and water, and requiring sterile supplies to be reprocessed at specified intervals.
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