N.J. Admin. Code § 13:35-12.11

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 19, October 7, 2024

Section 13:35-12.11 - Infection prevention standards

(a) Electrologists shall comply with the standard precautions for infection prevention as set forth in this section.

(b) Electrologists shall perform the handwashing technique as described in (c) below in the following instances:

1. Before and after treatment of each client;

2. Before putting on gloves and immediately after gloves are removed; and

3. Immediately upon contact with blood, bodily fluids, secretions or any item that has touched a client or that has been contaminated with blood, bodily fluids or secretions.

(c) Handwashing shall be performed as follows:

1. With the use of liquid soap and water;

2. A vigorous rubbing together of all surfaces of lathered hands, including between fingers and fingernail areas, for at least 10 seconds;

3. A thorough rinsing under a stream of water; and 4. Hands dried thoroughly with a clean disposable paper towel and then the faucet turned off with the paper towel.

(d) Liquid soap containers shall not be refilled and shall be disposed of when empty.

(e) Electrologists shall wear a new pair of non-sterile disposable examination gloves during the treatment of each client and during the procedures of soaking, cleaning, rinsing, and drying of forceps and other instruments.

1. Gloves shall be removed, discarded, hands washed or sanitized, and new gloves put on:

i. When a treatment session is interrupted causing the gloves to be contaminated; or

ii. When the gloves are torn or perforated.

2. For purposes of this subsection, hand sanitizing shall be achieved by:

i. Applying the product label recommended amount of an antiseptic alcohol-based gel or rinse to the palm of one hand;

ii. Rubbing hands together, covering all the surfaces of the hands, especially between the fingers and fingernail areas; and

iii. Continuing to rub hands together at least 15 seconds or until the alcohol dries.

(f) Electrologists shall clean and sterilize instruments in the following circumstances:

1. Unused instruments before initial use;

2. All containers used for storing contaminated instruments, and their lids on a daily basis or whenever contaminated; or

3. Instruments contaminated before use, such as by dropping or touching a soiled surface.

(g) Instruments shall be cleaned prior to sterilization by:

1. Placing in a sterilizable covered holding container and submerged in a solution of a protein dissolving enzyme detergent and cool water;

2. Cleaning in an ultrasonic cleaning unit according to the manufacturer's instructions; and

3. Thoroughly rinsing with water.

(h) Only after the instruments are cleaned in accordance with (g) above, shall instruments be packaged individually or in packages of several instruments that would be used for an individual client and must contain a heat indicator. The instruments shall not be packaged until they are cleaned in accordance with (g) above.

(i) Dry heat sterilizers and autoclaves shall be:

1. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA);

2. Contain visible physical indicators, for example, thermometers and timers; and

3. Cleaned, used and maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions.

(j) Cleaned instruments shall be sterilized in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions for individual sterilizers and by one of the following methods:

1. Dry heat method which shall, at a minimum, conform to the following time-temperature relationships which relate to the time of exposure after attainment of the specific temperature does not include a heat-up lag time:

i. 338 degrees Fahrenheit (170 degrees Centrigrade)--one hour;

ii. 320 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees Centrigrade)--two hours; or

2. Autoclave method which shall, at a minimum, be performed for 15 to 20 minutes at 121 degrees Centrigrade (250 degrees Fahrenheit); 15 to 20 pounds per square inch for packaged instruments and items, or other time-temperature relationships recommended by the manufacturer of the units which relate to the time the material is at temperature, and shall not include a penetration or heat-up lag time.

(k) Biological indicators using spore cultures must be utilized at least monthly to assure adequacy of sterilization. The spore testing shall be performed by an outside laboratory. Lab reports of biological indicators shall be filed in a sterility assurance file for two years.

(l) The electrologist shall take the following safety precautions:

1. To prevent accidental puncture injuries, disposable or damaged needles shall not be recapped, bent, or otherwise manipulated by hand prior to disposal. Disposable or damaged needles shall be placed in a sharps container. The sharps container shall be securely sealed and removed by a Department of Environmental Protection regulated hauler of medical waste as required by N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A; and

2. Removable tips for epilator needle holders shall be removed after each treatment soaked in an FDA-approved chemical disinfectant in accordance with manufacturer recommendations. The covered container used to hold the disinfectant shall be emptied daily or whenever visibly contaminated, then cleaned, dried, and refilled with fresh disinfectant.

(m) Soiled disposable items, other than instruments, shall be discarded into a container lined with a plastic bag, securely fastened, and disposed of daily into the regular trash disposal, unless otherwise specified by State and local health regulations.

(n) A hospital-grade disinfectant registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shall be used to disinfect:

1. Equipment, such as an epilator or lamp used during treatment, between the use of each client; and

2. Exposed surfaces such as counter tops, tables and sinks on a daily basis.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:35-12.11

Amended by 54 N.J.R. 1171(a), effective 6/20/2022