Hospital linens are used for patient care and cleaning.
Maintaining linen properly is vital to helping a hospital maintain proper hygiene for patients and staff and to reduce the spread of contagious diseases. Hospitals need linen for use on patients, beds and gurneys as well as for cleaning purposes. Keeping linen in the hospital can be accomplished by storing linen on location, using hospital laundry services and implementing an even-exchange policy for EMS and transport companies. Using in-house laundry services can help the hospital save money.
Instructions
1. Collect linen after use on patients. Use plastic bins or hampers to collect soiled linen in each patient room or at a centralized location on each floor. Designate a soiled linen closet separate from where clean linens are stored. Line bins with disposable plastic bags to prevent the container from becoming contaminated by dirty linen. Or, provide reusable liners that can be laundered with the linen. Clean the inside of each bin after the liner is removed to prevent the spread of infection.
2. Transport soiled linen to the laundry department. Use disinfecting laundry detergent to wash all linen. Make sure the detergent is designed to kill bacteria and microorganisms to prevent cross-contamination and the spread of infection. Follow the linen instructions for the correct water and dryer temperatures. Discard any torn or threadbare linen. Dry linen completely after it has been washed to prevent the growth of mold or bacteria. Fold or hang the linen in accordance with hospital policy.
3. Organize the clean linen closet by keeping like items together.
Store clean linen in a centralized location in a designated clean linen closet. Organize linen closets by separating the linen into groups (flat sheets, fitted sheets, gowns). Place each linen group on a shelf. Items used together can be stored on a single shelf. For example, place pillowcases, flat sheets and fitted sheets on a single shelf. Use linen carts that are covered to help prevent clean linen from being contaminated.
4. Implement an even-exchange policy with emergency medical service companies to help assure linen remains at the hospital. An even-exchange policy means that the hospital will only replace linen brought to the hospital with the patient. For example, if an EMS provider uses a flat sheet and blanket during patient care then she is only permitted to take one flat sheet and blanket from the linen supply. Store linen designated for use by EMS in a single location and advise all EMS companies of the even-exchange policy.
5. Wear gloves and gowns when working with soiled linen.
Contact the hospital's infection control supervisor for instructions on handle and launder linen used on isolation patients. Linen used for isolation patients should be kept separate from other linen until it has been laundered. Staff members should wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves and gowns, when working with contaminated linen.
Tags: clean linen, even-exchange policy, soiled linen, linen closet, centralized location, clean linen closet
