California Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation into law that will allow healthcare laundries to use lower wash temperatures and shorten the wash time, according to an article on the American Laundry News website.
Previously, the code prescribed laundering healthcare linens in 160 F water for a minimum of 24 minutes.
However, due to advances in chemical technology and improvements in the mechanical action of the laundry process, linens can be processed at a lower temperature and less time while still being safe.
The new law would, on or before Jan. 1, 2020, require general acute care hospitals and acute psychiatric hospitals, including those facilities that use a medical laundry service provider, to implement a linen laundry processing policy that is in accordance with the most recent federal infection control guidelines and standards.
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