USA
Maintaining correct laundering standards is key to keeping healthcare textiles and garments free from infection, according to the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC) board president Gregory Gicewicz.
In a recent report published by Infection Control Today, he points to areas that are critical in preventing contamination. These include unloading textiles from the washer and putting them into the dryer, preparing work for transport, the loading bay, and in hospital linen rooms.
Gicewicz says that there are countless opportunities for linen to become contaminated after it has been laundered and these represent the biggest challenge for the laundry.
He adds that the risks aren't always obvious but it only takes one breach for infection to occur. "Functional separation at all phases of the laundering process is critical."
