21 NCAC 14H .0403         Disinfection Procedures

(a)  Disinfectant, as applicable in this Subchapter, is defined as a disinfectant that is EPA registered as effective against:

(1)           bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, and pseudomonas aeruginosa;

(2)           viruses including HIV, Hepatitis B and C;

(3)           fungi including Trichophyton mentagrophytes; and

(4)           human coronavirus.

(b)  Disinfectants that meet the requirements of Subparagraph (a)(1), (2), and (3) of this Rule may be used if they are listed on EPA list N as effective against pathogen SARS-CoV-2.

(c)  Infection Control rules that apply to towels and cloths are as follows:

(1)           clean protective capes, drapes, linens, and towels shall be used for each patron;

(2)           after a protective cape has been in contact with a patron's neck it shall be placed in a clean, closed container until laundered with soap and hot water and dried in a heated dryer. Capes that cannot be laundered and dried in a heater dryer may be disinfected in accordance with the manufacturer directions; and

(3)           after a drape, linen, or towel has been in contact with a patron's skin it shall be placed in a clean, container until laundered with soap and hot water and dried in a heated dryer.

(d)  Any paper or nonwoven protective drape or covering shall be discarded after one use.

(e)  There shall be a supply of clean protective drapes, linens, and towels at all times. Wet towels used in services must be prepared fresh each day. Unused, prepared wet towels must be laundered daily.

(f)  Clean drapes, capes, linens, towels and all other supplies shall be stored in a clean area.

(g)  Bathroom facilities must be kept clean.

(h)  All implements shall be cleaned and disinfected after each use in the following manner:

(1)           They shall be washed with warm water and a cleaning solution and scrubbed to remove debris and dried.

(2)           They shall be disinfected with disinfectant that is mixed and used according to the manufacturer's directions and manufacturer's contact time. They shall be rinsed with hot tap water and dried with a clean towel before their next use. They shall be stored in a clean, closed cabinet or container until they are needed.

(3)           If the implement is shears, a razor, or not immersible, it shall be cleaned by wiping it with a clean cloth moistened or sprayed with a disinfectant used in accordance with the manufacturer's directions.

(i)  All disinfected non-electrical implements shall be stored in a clean, closed cabinet or clean, closed container.

(j)  All disinfected electrical implements shall be stored in a clean area separate from other clean implements.

(k)  Disposable and porous implements and supplies must be discarded after use or upon completion of the service.

(l)  Product that comes into contact with the patron must be discarded upon completion of the service.

(m)  Containers with open faces may be covered or closed with plastic wrapping. Disinfected implements must not be stored with any implement or item that has not been disinfected. Implements that have not been disinfected must be stored in a container and labeled as soiled.

(n)  Lancets, disposable razors, and other sharp objects shall be disposed in puncture-resistant containers.

(o)  All creams, lotions, wax, cosmetics, and other products dispensed to come in contact with patron's skin must be kept in clean, closed containers and must conform in all respects to the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act as set forth in PL 75-717.52 accessible at www.fda.gov. Any product apportioned for use and removed from original containers must be distributed in a sanitary manner that prevents contamination of product or container. Any product dispensed in portions into another container must be dispensed into a clean container and applied to patrons by means of a disinfected or disposable implement or other clean methods. Any product dispensed in portions not dispensed into another container must be used immediately and applied to patrons by means of a disinfected or disposable implement or other clean methods. No product dispensed in portions may be returned to the original container.

(p)  As used in this Rule, "whirlpool" or "footspa" means any basin using circulating water.

(q)  After use by each patron each whirlpool or footspa must be cleaned and disinfected as follows:

(1)           all water must be drained and all debris removed from the basin;

(2)           the basin must be disinfected by filling the basin with water and circulating a surfactant or enzymatic soap with a disinfectant used according to manufacturer's instructions through the unit for 10 minutes;

(3)           the basin must be drained and rinsed with clean water; and

(4)           the basin must be wiped dry with a clean towel.

(r)  At the end of the day each whirlpool or footspa must be cleaned and disinfected as follows:

(1)           the screen must be removed and all debris trapped behind the screen removed;

(2)           the screen and the inlet must be washed with surfactant, enzymatic soap, or detergent and rinsed with clean water;

(3)           before replacing the screen it must be totally immersed in disinfectant in accordance to the manufacturer's instructions;

(4)           the inlet and area behind the screen must be cleaned with a brush and surfactant soap and water to remove all visible debris and residue; and

(5)           the spa system must be flushed with low sudsing surfactant, enzymatic soap, and warm water for at least 10 minutes and then rinsed and drained.

(s)  A record must be made of the date and time of each cleaning and disinfecting as required by this Rule including the date, time, reason, and name of the staff member who performed the cleaning. This record must be made for each whirlpool or footspa and must be kept and made available for at least 90 days upon request by either a patron or inspector.

(t)  The water in a vaporizer machine must be emptied daily and the unit disinfected daily after emptying.

(u)  The area where services are performed that come in contact with the patron's skin including treatment chairs, treatment tables, and beds shall be disinfected between patrons.

(v)  A manufacturers label for all products, cleaners, and disinfectant concentrate must be available at all times. If a concentrate bottle is emptied, it must remain available until a new bottle is available.

(w)  When mixed disinfectant concentrate is placed in a secondary container such as a spray bottle, tub, or jar, that container must be labeled to indicate what chemical is in the container. SDS sheets must be available for all disinfectants in use at all times.

(x)  Disinfectants must be stored and disposed of in accordance with all local, State, and federal requirements.

(y)  The cabinet and supplies of a towel warmer machine must be emptied daily and the unit dried daily after emptying.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 88B-2; 88B-4; 88B-14;

Eff. April 1, 2012;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. January 13, 2015;

Amended Eff. April 1, 2023; September 1, 2021; September 1, 2020; October 1, 2019; March 1, 2018.