Proper washing, storage keeps most healthcare textiles safe

Laundering procedures shown to be effective at preventing the spread of infection


Healthcare laundries are effective at preventing the spread of infection, according to an article on the Healio website.

“Recent innovations in the laundry industry have led to major advances in laundry equipment, laundry chemicals, fiber and fabric technology, and laundry facility design and engineering,” Lynne M. Sehulster, PhD, infectious disease epidemiologist at the CDC, wrote in a research review published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.

The study looked at 12 healthcare textiles-related outbreaks in the last 43 years. Seven occurred during the summer as the result of contamination from Bacillus cereus.

Causes for the outbreaks included contaminated washing machines; improper wash cycles or water temperatures or issues regarding reused water (58%); textile storage conditions that promoted growth of microbial pathogens (33%); and the contamination of textiles during transit from the laundry facility to the hospital (8%), the article said.

Read the article.

 

 



June 26, 2015


Topic Area: Environmental Services


Recent Posts

Spaces That Support: Patient-Centered Design for Modern Reproductive Health

Modern facilities must integrate highly specialized laboratories with thoughtful, patient-centered spaces that prioritize privacy, comfort and emotional well-being.


Modernization of Buildings Require Collaboration Across All Disciplines

Retrofitting outdated facilities requires consulting all departments on how to best improve operations.


Children's Health Announces Plans for RedBird Specialty Center in Texas

The system expects to welcome its first patients in December 2027.


How Can Healthcare Facilities Use Efficiency to Drive Climate and Health Goals?

Keith Edgerton discusses how the Health Care Energy & Water Efficiency Checklist helps healthcare connect operational savings with their mission to protect people and the planet.


El Camino Health Rehabilitation Hospital Officially Tops Out

This new 64,000-square-foot, 52-bed inpatient facility in Sunnyvale, California, will enhance rehabilitation services in Santa Clara County.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.