Each hospital shall have an organized housekeeping department with a qualified person designated as responsible for all housekeeping functions. The designated supervisor of housekeeping shall be responsible for developing written policies and procedures for coordinating housekeeping services with other departments, developing a work plan and assignments for housekeeping staff, and developing a plan for obtaining relief housekeeping personnel.
    (1) A sufficient number of housekeeping personnel shall be employed to fulfill the responsibilities of the housekeeping department seven days a week.
    (2) When housekeeping services are provided by a third party, the hospital shall have a formal written agreement with the third party provider on file.
    (3) The designated supervisor of housekeeping shall develop, implement, and maintain an effective housekeeping plan to ensure that the facility is maintained in compliance with the following:
    (a) The facility and its contents shall be kept free from dust, dirt, debris, and noxious odors;
    (b) All rooms and corridors shall be maintained in a clean, safe, and orderly condition, and shall be properly ventilated to prevent condensation, mold growth, and noxious odors;
    (c) All walls and ceilings, including doors, windows, skylights, screens, and similar closures shall be kept clean;
    (d) All mattresses, pillows, and other bedding; window coverings, including curtains, blinds, and shades, cubicle curtains and privacy screens; and furniture shall be kept clean;
    (e) Floors shall be kept clean and free from spillage, and non-skid wax shall be used on all waxed floors;
    (f) Articles in storage shall be elevated from the floor;
    (g) Aisles in storage areas shall be kept unobstructed;
    (h) All garbage and refuse from patient areas shall be collected daily and stored in a manner to make it inaccessible to insects and rodents;
    (i) Garbage or refuse storage rooms, if used, shall be kept clean, shall be vermin-proof, and shall be large enough to store the garbage and refuse containers that accumulate. Outside garbage or refuse storage areas or enclosures shall be large enough to store the garbage and refuse containers that accumulate, and shall be kept clean. Outside storage of unprotected plastic bags, wet strength paper bags, or baled units containing garbage or refuse is prohibited. Garbage and refuse containers, dumpsters, and compactor systems located outside shall be stored on or above a smooth surface of non-absorbent material, such as concrete or machine-laid asphalt, that is kept clean and maintained in good repair; and
    (j) Garbage and refuse shall be removed from both interior and outside storage areas as often as necessary to prevent sanitary nuisance conditions. If garbage and refuse are disposed of on the facility premises, the method of disposal shall not create a sanitary nuisance.
    (4) The designated supervisor of housekeeping shall ensure that:
    (a) There is a sufficient quantity of linen, including at least sheets, pillow cases, drawsheets or their alternative, blankets, towels and washcloths to provide comfortable, clean and sanitary conditions for each patient at all times;
    (b) Written policies and procedures for linen and laundry services, including methods of collection, storage, and transportation are developed, implemented, and maintained in conjunction with the policies and procedures developed by the infection control committee;
    (c) Soiled linen and laundry are collected in a way that minimizes microbial dissemination into the environment;
    (d) Separate containers are used for transporting clean linen and laundry, and soiled linen and laundry;
    (e) Soiled linen and laundry are stored in a ventilated area separate from any other supplies, and are not stored, sorted, rinsed, or laundered in patient rooms, bathrooms, areas of food preparation or storage, or areas in which clean material and equipment are stored; and
    (f) When linen and laundry services are provided by a third party, the third party provider shall be required to maintain the standards contained herein, and shall ensure that clean linen is packaged and protected from contamination until received by the facility.
    (5) Effective control methods shall be employed to protect against the entrance into the facility and the breeding or presence on the premises of flies, roaches, rodents, and other vermin.
    (6) The designated supervisor of housekeeping shall develop and implement, in coordination with the infection control committee, written procedures for the cleaning of the physical plant, equipment, and reusable supplies. Such procedures shall include:
    (a) Special written procedures for cleaning all infectious disease areas;
    (b) Special written procedures for cleaning all operating room suites, delivery suites, nurseries, intensive and other critical care units, the emergency suite, and other areas performing similar functions; and
    (c) Special written procedures for the separate handling and storage of both clean and dirty linen, with special attention being given to identification, separation and handling of linens from isolation or infectious disease areas.
Rulemaking Authority 395.1055 FS. Law Implemented Florida Statutes § 395.1055. History-New 8-15-18.