Protecting laundry workers from Ebola threat

Healthcare clients should be informed not to send to a laundry any linens that have been used in cases of confirmed or suspected Ebola


If a hospital is treating a patient with Ebola, potentially infectious linens — including non-permeable pillows and mattresses and textile privacy curtains — are considered a “Category A” infectious substance, according to a webinar hosted by the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council titled Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness for Healthcare Linen Service Providers.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises professionals to use a rigid waste receptacle specifically made for infectious substances, and incineration or autoclaving are also recommended as ways to eliminate viral activity, according to an article on the American Laundry News website.

“Red-bagging and incinerating absorbent materials is the best practice, and that’s what we’re telling our hospital clients to do,” Aaron Gersh, healthcare division vice president at Superior Linen Service, said. Healthcare clients should be informed not to send to a laundry any linens that have been used in cases of confirmed or suspected Ebola.

“We don’t want it, and it’s not worth the cost of the replacement linen to mess with it,” he said.

He added that facilities should familiarize themselves with the Department of Transportation’s special handling and licensing regulations for potentially contaminated linens. 

Read the article.

 

 



January 28, 2015


Topic Area: Environmental Services


Recent Posts

On the Lookout: The Software Supply Chain as a Healthcare Cyberattack Vector

Staying watchful of third-party software vendors and their activities is critical for healthcare cybersecurity.


Hackensack Meridian Health & Wellness Center at Clifton Opens

The Clifton center expands health care access in Passaic County by reducing barriers such as travel and wait times.


Suffolk Breaks Ground on Expansion of White Plains Hospital

The 10-story, approximately 500,000-square-foot expansion is slated to open in 2028.


EVS Leadership Culture Critical in Preventing Hospital-Acquired Sepsis

Cleaning is an essential yet complex component for the prevention of HAI-induced sepsis.


Man Dies by Suicide in Emergency Department Waiting Room at Kansas Hospital

No staff or patients were harmed, and the man was alone in the waiting area when he shot himself.


 
 


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.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.