Code of Maine Rules
10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL
Chapter 209 - RULES RELATING TO BODY PIERCING
Section 144-209-5 - CARE OF INSTRUMENTS

1. An autoclave shall be provided for sterilizing all instruments before use on any customer, unless received and stored in sterile condition from manufacturer.

2. Before sterilizing, all needles and all similar instruments shall be thoroughly washed to remove blood clots, and all other foreign matter

3. The needles and instruments required to be sterilized shall be so used, stored, handled, and temporarily placed during body piercing so that they are not contaminated.

4. The sterilizer shall be spore tested at least once each month and records shall be maintained and available for inspection for a minimum period of one year. Each package of sterilized instruments shall be monitored for sterilization by the use of chemical/heat sensitive indicators that measure temperature and general functioning of the sterilizing equipment. Permanent records of sterilization shall be maintained and made available for inspection for a period of one year. Sterilized instruments stored in an approved manner and not used within 6 months of steam sterilization shall no longer be considered sterile and shall be re-sterilized before use.

Used needles shall be cleaned and sterilized before disposal. An ultrasonic cleaning machine and autoclave shall be recommended to fulfill this requirement.