469.4.7 Sterilizing Facilities

A system for providing sterilized equipment and supplies shall be provided. When sterilization is provided off-site, adequate handling (receiving and distribution) and on-site storage of sterile supplies shall be accommodated, and shall meet the minimum requirements for sterilization performed on-site.

Adequate space shall be available for the cleaning and sanitizing of clean and soiled carts and vehicles transporting supplies.

If on-site processing facilities are provided they shall include the following:

This room shall be physically separated from all other areas of the office surgery suite. Workspace shall be provided to handle the cleaning and the gross cleaning, debridement, and disinfections of all medical/surgical instruments and equipment. The soiled workroom shall contain work surfaces(s), sink(s), flush-type devices(s), and washer/sterilizer decontaminators or other decontamination equipment as appropriate to the functional program.

This workroom shall have access to an immediately adjacent handwashing station and shall contain appropriate and sufficient workspace and equipment for terminal sterilizing of medical and surgical equipment and supplies. Clean and soiled work areas shall be physically separated. Access to sterilization room shall be restricted. The clean assembly room shall have adequate space for the designated number of work areas as defined in the functional program as well as space for storage of clean supplies, sterilizer carriages, and instrumentation.

Storage for packs, etc., shall include provisions for ventilation, humidity, and temperature control.