15A NCAC 18A .1301. DEFINITIONS

The following definitions shall apply throughout this Section in the interpretation and enforcement of this Section:

(1)           "Disinfect" means a process used on inanimate surfaces to destroy or irreversibly inactivate infectious fungi and bacteria but not necessarily their spores.

(2)           "Environmental Health Specialist" means a person authorized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources under G.S. 130A-6 to enforce environmental health rules adopted by the Commission for Public Health.

(3)           "Institution" includes the following establishments providing room or board and for which a license or certificate of payment must be obtained from the Department of Health and Human Services, other than those operated exclusively by the State of North Carolina:

(a)           hospital, as defined in G.S. 131E‑76 including doctors' clinics with food preparation facilities;

(b)           nursing home, as defined in G.S. 131E‑101;

(c)           sanitarium, sanatorium, and any similar establishment, other than hospital and nursing home, for the recuperation and treatment of 13 or more persons suffering from physical or mental disorders;

(d)           adult care home, providing custodial care on a 24‑hour basis for 13 or more persons, including homes for the aged;

(e)           orphanage, or children's home providing care on a 24‑hour basis for 13 or more children. 

However, the term shall not include a child day care facility, an adult day service facility as defined in 15A NCAC 18A .3300 or a residential care facility as defined in 15A NCAC 18A .1600.

(4)           "Department of Environment and Natural Resources" shall mean the Secretary, or his authorized representative.

(5)           "Local health director" shall mean local health director as defined in G.S. 130A‑2(6) or his authorized representative.

(6)           "Patient" means a patient or resident living in an institution as defined in this Section.

(7)           "Person" shall mean an individual, firm, association, organization, partnership, business trust, corporation, or company.

(8)           "Personal Hygiene" means maintenance of personal health, including grooming, brushing teeth, showering, applying makeup, or washing/drying face, hands, and body.

(9)           "Potentially hazardous food" means any food or ingredient, natural or synthetic, in a form capable of supporting the growth of infectious or toxigenic microorganisms, including Clostridium botulinum.  This term includes raw or heat treated foods of animal origin, raw seed sprouts, and treated foods of plant origin.  The term does not include foods that have a pH level of 4.6 or below or a water activity (Aw) value of 0.85 or less.

(10)         "Sanitize" means a bactericidal treatment that meets the temperature and chemical concentration levels in 15A NCAC 18A .2619.

(11)         "Soiled utility room" means a room or area with fixtures used for cleaning and disinfecting soiled patient-care items.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 130A‑235;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Readopted Eff. December 5, 1977;

Amended Eff. March 1, 2003 (see S.L. 2002-160); August 1, 1998; February 1, 1997; September 1, 1990; March 1, 1988;

Temporary Amendment Eff. June 1, 2003;

Amended Eff. February 1, 2004.