The Importance of Correctly Handling Healthcare Items in your Commercial Laundry
The Importance of Correctly Handling Healthcare Items in your Commercial Laundry
Of all the least favorite places to be, a hospital is likely the last place you’d like to spend time. However, hospitals provide a necessary service and it’s important the all aspects of the healthcare system work to ensure you leave in better health than you arrived. Proper procedures are essential in a healthcare laundry in order to ensure the safety and well-being of patients and healthcare workers. A healthcare laundry is responsible for processing a wide variety of items, including bed linens, towels, patient gowns, and scrubs, and it is essential that these items are properly cleaned and handled to minimize the risk of cross-contamination and the spread of infection.
Proper Chemistry
One of the main considerations in a healthcare laundry is the use of appropriate cleaning agents and methods. It is important to use detergents and other cleaning agents that are effective at removing dirt, soil, and bacteria, while also being gentle on fabrics. In addition, the use of hot water and high temperatures during the washing process can help to kill any remaining bacteria and reduce the risk of infection.
Proper Handling
Proper handling of laundry is also crucial in a healthcare setting. Laundry should be transported in a clean and orderly manner, with items properly sorted and stored to prevent cross-contamination. It is also important to ensure that laundry is properly labeled and stored in a designated area to prevent mix-ups and ensure that items are returned to the correct department or facility. B&C Technologies manufactures washers that are designed to be built into a wall separating the clean and soiled sections of the laundry, virtually eliminating the possibility of cross contamination, assuming proper procedures are followed. These specialty machines in combination with proper laundry design ensure that cross contamination is minimized or eliminated.
Preventative Maintenance
In addition to cleaning and handling procedures, it is also essential to have proper procedures in place for the maintenance and upkeep of laundry equipment. Regular cleaning and maintenance of washing machines, dryers, and other equipment can help to extend their lifespan and ensure that they are operating at optimal performance. This can help to reduce the risk of equipment failure and downtime, which can have serious consequences in a healthcare setting.
Personal Protective Equipment
Proper procedures are also important for the safety of healthcare laundry workers. It is essential to provide appropriate training and personal protective equipment (PPE) to workers to ensure that they are safe while handling potentially hazardous materials. In addition, it is important to have procedures in place to properly handle and dispose of any hazardous materials, such as chemicals or biohazards, that may be present in the laundry.
Proper procedures are essential in a healthcare laundry in order to ensure the safety and well-being of patients and healthcare workers. Proper cleaning and handling procedures help to minimize the risk of cross-contamination and the spread of infection, while proper equipment maintenance and worker safety procedures help to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the laundry. By following proper procedures, a healthcare laundry can provide a vital service to the healthcare community and help to protect the health and safety of all those involved.
