Texas Administrative Code
Title 26 - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Part 1 - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
Chapter 554 - NURSING FACILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE AND MEDICAID CERTIFICATION
Subchapter D - FACILITY CONSTRUCTION
Division 3 - PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL FACILITIES
Section 554.325 - Linen
Current through Reg. 49, No. 38; September 20, 2024
(a) The nursing facility must have available at all times a quantity of linen essential for the proper care and comfort of residents. Linens must be handled, stored, and processed so as to control the spread of infection.
(b) Linen will be maintained in good repair.
(c) Linen must be washed, dried, stored, and transported in a manner which will produce hygienically clean linen. The washing process must have a mechanism for soil removal and bacteria kill.
(d) Clean linen must be stored in a clean linen area easily accessible to the personnel.
(e) Clean towels and washcloths must be provided to each resident as needed or desired. Towels and washcloths must be stored in a sanitary manner between uses by the resident and must not be used by more than one resident between launderings.
(f) Soiled linen and clothing must be stored separately from clean linen and clothing. Soiled linen and clothing must be stored in well ventilated areas, and must not be permitted to accumulate in the facility. Soiled linen and clothing must be transported in accordance with procedures consistent with universal precautions. Bags or containers must not be reused to transport or store clean items.
(g) Soiled linen must not be sorted, laundered, rinsed, or stored in bathrooms, resident rooms, corridors, kitchens, or food storage areas, except soiled linen and clothing which is not contaminated with blood may be rinsed in a resident's bathroom water closet.
(h) Resident's personal clothing that is not soiled with body wastes may be stored in a closed container in the resident's closet. The clothing must be collected and cleaned at least weekly.
(i) Facility staff must wash their hands both after handling soiled linen and before handling clean linen.
