UK
Seventy eight per cent of veterinary practitioners are let sdown by unreliable laundry equipment, according to research by Miele Professional.
The research finds that laundry appliances need regular repair within veterinary practices with 78% of practitioners saying they frequently suffer with unreliable laundry equipment, with breakdowns causing disruption to many busy practices.
In the research conducted at the 2019 Vet Show, nearly all respondents agreed that reliable laundry equipment is crucial to ensure the smooth running of operations within their respective practices. Yet, only two in 10 vet practice workers claimed their washers and dryers were up to standard.
An average day in the veterinarian environment includes looking after sick animals, dispensing medication, advising owners and processing endless amounts of laundry. If a piece of laundry equipment suddenly stops working, it can put tremendous strain on practice workers affecting their ability to deliver effective patient care.
From soiled bedding and towels to scrubs and staff uniforms, nine out of ten vet practitioners process multiple loads of laundry on a daily basis showing the need for dependable and durable laundry equipment. However, there are still many practices using domestic machines that are not designed for larger quantities of laundry.
Opting for a commercial machine can provide reassurance that workflow is unaffected, as commercial machines are manufactured to withstand heavily soiled laundry as well as frequent use. Vet practice workers can also benefit from infection control capabilities such as disinfection programmes while also knowing that it has been tested to WRAS Category 5 Certification to comply with Water Regulations & Byelaws.
Simon Hart, national account manager of Miele Professional, said: “Vets, nurses and practice assistants can be heavily impacted by unreliable laundry equipment. For example, breakdowns can result in unnecessary engineer wait times and call out costs. In the meantime, dirty laundry will be piling high and may result in lack of clean items – and increase the risk of cross-contamination and/or infection”.
Commenting on the show, Hart concluded: “We heard lots of stories about the challenges practices have to deal with when it comes to their laundry equipment and one common theme was the unreliability of domestic appliances. Visitors were interested in the benefits of commercial machines including the longevity and cost-saving measures they can deliver. Our commercial laundry equipment range starts with the small ‘Little Giants’ commercial machines, which are able to slot straight into a space previously occupied by a domestic appliance. This hugely beneficial bearing in mind how space is at a premium in many practices.”
