Code of Colorado Regulations
1000 - Department of Public Health and Environment
1011 - Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division (1011, 1015 Series)
6 CCR 1011-1 Chapter 05 - NURSING CARE FACILITIES
Section 6 CCR 1011-1-5-25 - LINEN AND LAUNDRY

Universal Citation: 1000 CO Code Regs 6 CCR 1011-1-5-25

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 5, March 10, 2024

25.1 LAUNDRY SERVICES

The facility shall provide laundry services, and/or contract with a commercial laundry, with washing, drying, and ironing equipment of sufficient capacity to process a continuous seven-day supply based on ten pounds of dry laundry per bed per day.

A) Laundry equipment shall meet all safety and sanitary requirements. The equipment shall be designed and installed to comply with all state and local laws.

B) Laundry equipment, processing, and procedures shall render soiled linen and patient clothing clean and free from detergent, soap, and other chemical residues.

C) If laundry services are not provided entirely within the facility, there shall be a written contract between the facility and a commercial laundry service that ensures compliance with section 25.1(B).

D) With the exception of laundry amenities used solely for resident's personal effects, laundry equipment and operations shall be located in an area separated from resident care units.

E) There shall be proper spacing and placing of the equipment to minimize material transportation and operation; to avoid all cross traffic between clean and soiled linen; to provide balance of operations; and to provide storage between operations. The general air movement shall be from the cleanest areas to the most contaminated areas. Soiled laundry shall be processed frequently enough to prevent excessive unsanitary accumulations.

25.2 WASHING TEMPERATURE

The water temperature and duration of washing cycle shall be consistent with the temperature and duration recommended by the manufacturers of the laundry chemicals and equipment being used.

25.3 RESIDENT LINEN SUPPLY

Linen supply (top and bottom sheets, pillowcases, washcloths, bath and face towels) shall be at least three complete changes times the number of licensed beds. All linens shall be maintained clean, in good repair.

25.4 SOILED LINEN HANDLING

In removing and handling soiled linen from a bed, there shall be minimal shaking of the linen. Soiled linen, including blankets, shall be placed in bags tightly closed before removal from a bedroom. The bags shall remain closed and shall be removed from the resident care unit at least every eight hours.

25.6 INFECTIOUS DISEASE LINEN

All linens and blankets from residents with infectious disease shall be placed in bio-hazardous bags and transported in these closed bags. Measures shall be taken to ensure the disinfection of contaminated laundry and protection of persons doing laundry.

25.7 SORTING AND PRE-RINSING

Pre-rinsing, sorting and all other linen and laundry operations shall be confined to the laundry facility and shall not be permitted in the resident's room, bathtub, shower, lavatory or utility closets.

25.8 LAUNDRY CHUTES

If laundry chutes are used, all soiled linen, clothing and other items deposited in them shall first be enclosed in bags before placing them in chute. Laundry chutes shall be regularly cleaned.

25.9 SOILED LAUNDRY CARTS

Carts and hampers used to transport soiled laundry shall be covered and constructed of or lined with impervious materials, cleaned and disinfected after use, and used only for transporting soiled laundry.

25.10 SOILED LINEN STORAGE

The facility shall provide a separate soiled linen storage and sorting area, mechanically ventilated to the outside atmosphere. No re-circulation of air from this area is permitted.

25.11 RESIDENT CLOTHING

Resident clothing and laundry shall be processed and stored in a manner so that personal items are readily identifiable.

25.12 CLEAN LINEN STORAGE

A clean linen folding/storage room shall be provided as part of the laundry area, located adjacent to the drying equipment. Positive pressure shall be maintained in this area.

25.13 CLEAN LINEN HANDLING

Clean linen shall be transported in a manner that preserves its clean condition so that it is clean at the site of its use.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Colorado may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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