INTERNATIONAL
Domus, which supplies laundry solutions into care homes internationally, is keen to share best practice procedures to prevent cross-contamination or infection in bedclothes and clothing in care homes for elderly people.
Blogging on its website, Domus reflects on how clothes and bedclothes are washed and sanitised in nursing homes. Domus supplies commercial washing machines designed specifically for the laundry cycle in nursing homes and says it is vital that laundry practices be carried out in a meticulous manner. The company looks at the specific characteristics that linen and clothing must have for this sector; analyses the most common infections that clothing can carry, and; examines the critical points of infection in nursing homes, and proposes solutions and recommendations.
Domus explains that the cycle or route that laundry and clothing follow in a nursing home is very important in order to control the level of contamination. It starts with every new resident or item of linen that enters the home, and the cycle continues in the laundry room where specialised machinery is used to ensure optimal standards of hygiene.
Each fabric should be handled and processed in the laundry accordingly. Let’s take a look at bedlinen as an example. Sheets and pillow cases should be made of cotton or polyester, and it is important to know that bedding has a short lifespan because it is washed frequently and in an aggressive laundry cycle. This is also true of terry cloth which is used in bathrobes, towels and other personal hygiene accessories. These bath or toiletry fabrics should contain a high percentage of cotton.
In contrast, materials or draperies used throughout the nursing home in bedrooms, dining rooms or by the cleaning staff may be made of many different fabrics, depending on their purpose. Materials may range from cotton to polyester and plasticized fabrics.
Of course, we must not forget the clothing worn by medical or healthcare staff, says Domus, which is usually made of different fabrics. An important consideration for professional clothing is to use a material that is non-irritant. In nursing or care homes, it is crucial that this clothing be completely disinfected and cleaned during the laundry cycle.
The blog continues to explore types of infections and critical points in a nursing home laundry including advice on cleansing any items used to transport laundry. To read the full advice from Domus, please visit here.
