Washington Administrative Code
Title 246 - Health, Department of
HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV)
Chapter 246-145 - Body art, body piercing, electrology and tattooing standards for sterilization procedures and infection control
Section 246-145-030 - Sterile procedures in electrology

Universal Citation: WA Admin Code 246-145-030

Current through Register Vol. 24-18, September 15, 2024

To ensure that clients are not exposed to disease through needles or other instruments, electrologists must:

(1) Use single-use, presterilized disposable needles on one client and then dispose of the needle immediately in a puncture-resistant container;

(2) Not use reusable needles;

(3) Use single-use sharp items on only one client and dispose of the items immediately in a puncture-resistant container;

(4) Only reuse cleaned and sterilized sharp items and instruments that are intended for multiple use;

(5) Thoroughly clean and sterilize reusable sharp items and instruments between clients;

(6) Accumulate reusable sharp items and instruments in a holding container by submersion in a solution of a protein-dissolving enzyme detergent and water;

(7) Sterilize reusable items in a steam autoclave or dry-heat sterilizer, which is used, cleaned and maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions;

(8) Resterilize a reusable sterile instrument before using it on a client, if it is contaminated by dropping, by touching an unsterile surface, by a torn package, by the package being punctured, damaged, wet or by some other means;

(9) Immediately dispose of a single-use item in a puncture-resistant container, if it is contaminated by dropping, by touching an unsterile surface, by a torn package, by the package being punctured, damaged, wet or by some other means;

(10) Immediately dispose of an instrument in a puncture-resistant container if the expiration date has passed; and

(11) Monitor sterilizers to determine that all conditions of sterilization are met. This includes:

(a) Assuring that sterilizers have a thermometer and timer to indicate whether adequate heat has been applied to packaged equipment;

(b) Using or checking chemical indicators on each package to assure the items have been exposed to the sterilization process;

(c) Sterilizers must be tested by biological spore tests according to the manufacturer's instructions. In the event of a positive biological spore test, the electrologist must take immediate action to ensure all conditions of sterilization are met; and

(d) Documentation of monitoring must be maintained either in the form of a log reflecting dates and person(s) conducting the testing or copies of reports from an independent testing entity. The documentation must be maintained at least three years.

Statutory Authority: RCW 70.54.340. 10-12-057, § 246-145-030, filed 5/27/10, effective 7/1/10; 02-11-109, § 246-145-030, filed 5/20/02, effective 6/20/02.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Washington 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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