New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 8 - SOCIAL SERVICES
Chapter 370 - OVERSIGHT OF LICENSED HEALTHCARE FACILITIES AND COMMUNITY BASED WAIVER PROGRAMS
Part 17 - REQUIREMENTS FOR FREESTANDING BIRTH CENTERS
Section 8.370.17.33 - INFECTION CONTROL

A. The facility shall develop, implement and enforce written infection control policies and procedures to minimize the transmission of infection. Policies shall include educational course requirements; decontamination, disinfection, sterilization, and storage of sterile supplies; and cleaning and laundry requirements.

B. The facility shall provide sterilization equipment adequate to meet the requirements for sterilization of critical items. Equipment shall be maintained in accordance with the manufacturers' specifications, and operated to perform with accuracy, the sterilization of critical items. Live spore testing for the effectiveness of sterilization will be performed as defined by facility policy. Devices such as steri-gauges or sterilization tape will not be sufficient to assess the effectiveness of the sterilizers. The facility shall have a methodology to permit the backtracking of equipment use in case a sterilizer or any other medical equipment fails.

C. Where cleaning, preparation and sterilization functions are performed in the same room or unit, soiled or contaminated supplies and equipment shall be physically separated from the clean or sterilized supplies and equipment.

D. Each facility shall have policies and procedures for the handling, processing, storing and transporting of clean and dirty laundry.

E. All special waste including blood, body fluids, placentas, sharps and biological indicators, shall be disposed of in accordance with OSHA and the New Mexico environment department standards for bio hazardous waste.

F. Each facility shall have written policies and procedures on terminal cleaning of birthing rooms to ensure infection control and client safety.