How HC Programs’ QA Requirements Vary
Hygienically Clean certifications are achieved through:
- Attainment of cleanliness levels verified by microbial testing
- Documentation of Best Management Practices (BMPs)
- Facility inspection that approves this documentation and observes evidence of BMP implementation
Tables below list required BMPs for textile services to be certified as:
- Hygienically Clean (HC)
- Hygienically Clean Healthcare (HCH)
- Hygienically Clean Food Safety (HCFS)
Quality assurance (QA) documentation must explain how each BMP is performed, i.e., how the facility complies with each BMP.
HC | HCH | HC Food Safety | HC Food Service | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Plant Facilities | ||||
Functional separation of soiled and clean areas | X | X | ||
Equipment list, maintenance, calibration | X | X | X | X |
Cross contamination prevention | X | X | ||
Pest control plan | X | X | X | X |
Housekeeping | ||||
Equipment cleaning, care | X | Covered in OSHA requirements | X | X |
Cleaning of work surfaces, stations, slings | X | Covered in OSHA requirements | X | X |
Cleaning of carts (customer, internal, any other) | X | X | X | X |
Cart liners | X | X | ||
Cleaning supply selection, measurement, use | X | X | X | X |
Cleaning schedule | X | X | X | X |
Laundry Processing/Procedures | ||||
Soiled linen handling | X | X | X | X |
Wash formulas | X | X | X | X |
Hot-water washing | X | X | X | X |
Low-temperature water washing | X | X | ||
Use of disinfectants, e.g. chlorine | X | X | X | X |
Final pH | X | X | X | X |
Extraction | X | X | X | X |
Drying | X | X | X | X |
Garment processing | X | X | ||
Transportation | X | X | X | X |
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) | X | X | ||
OSHA Compliance | ||||
Hazard communication required practices | X | X | X | X |
Hazard communication compliance advisory | X | X | X | X |
Bloodborne pathogens | X | |||
Hepatitis B vaccine declination | X | |||
Facility Inspections | ||||
Initial qualification | X | X | X | X |
Triennial inspection | X | X | X | X |
Operational flow chart confirmation | X | X | ||
ATP Testing of Hard Surfaces | X | X | ||
Microbial Testing | ||||
Initial qualification | X | X | X | X |
Significant process change | X | X | X | X |
Optional | X | X | X | X |
Non-compliance | X | X | X | X |
Minimum performance, RODAC, cfu per square decimeter, quarterly | ≤ 20 | ≤ 20 | ≤ 50 | ≤ 50 |
USP 62 specified microorganism test, semi-annual | Absent | Absent | Absent | Absent |