Healthcare Laundry: The Process and Potential for HAI Prevention

Article

This report addresses the concept of "hygienically clean" healthcare textiles, explores the healthcare laundry process, and reviews reports of infections associated with contaminated healthcare textiles. It also provides some instruction on best practices from regulatory agencies and associations.

Report Summary

This report addresses the concept of "hygienically clean" healthcare textiles, explores the healthcare laundry process, and reviews reports of infections associated with contaminated healthcare textiles. It also provides some instruction on best practices from regulatory agencies and associations.

Editor's Take

One of the possible vehicles of transmission is inanimate fomites such as textiles. When textiles are heavily contaminated with potentially infective body substances, they can contain significant bacterial loads; however, the incidence of healthcare-associated infections transmitted from hospital linen is very low especially when evaluated in the context of the volume of items laundered in healthcare settings (estimated to be 5 billion pounds annually in the United States). Some experts say it is obvious that the various existing control measures for hospital laundry are effective in reducing the risk of disease transmission to patients and staff. Therefore, use of current control measures should be continued to minimize the contribution of contaminated laundry to the incidence of HAIs.

Takeaways for Your Business

  • Learn about proper healthcare textiles management
  • Review the steps of the healthcare laundry process
  • Discover what studies say about disease transmission from soiled linen
Recent Videos
Mark Wiencek, PhD
Rebecca Crapanzano-Sigafoos, DrPH, CIC, AL-CIP, FAPIC
The CDC’s updated hospital respiratory reporting requirement has added new layers of responsibility for infection preventionists. Karen Jones, MPH, RN, CIC, FAPIC, clinical program manager at Wolters Kluwer, breaks down what it means and how IPs can adapt.
Studying for the CIC using a digital tablet and computer (Adobe Stock 335828989 by NIKCOA)
Infection Control Today's Conversations with the HSPA President, Arlene Bush, CRCST, CER, CIS, SME, DSMD, CRMST
Infection Control Today's Conversations with the HSPA President, Arlene Bush, CRCST, CER, CIS, SME, DSMD, CRMST
Cheron Rojo, BS, FCS, CHL,  CER, CFER, CRCST
Matthias Tschoerner, Dr Sc
Standardizing Cleaning and Disinfection
Concept images of Far-UVC  (Adobe Stock 316993517 by hopenv)
Related Content