Linens and clothing harbor pathogens. Did you know that many hospitals have their staff clean their own uniforms? Few launder their uniforms with water hot enough to impact the microbiology on their uniforms. Scrubs harbor pathogens. When staff lean into beds to better serve their patients, there is bacterial exchange. Linens and clothing can also be a source for bio-aerosol.  Friction or movement of a surface can put particulate of all sizes back into the air. So, our clothing and our skin move pathogens around our hospitals and facilities. All this makes a structured laundry hygiene program important to reduce the spread of infection and illness. Simply removing dirt and stains, while important for appearance, isn’t enough. Especially when it comes to hospital garb. We must be cognizant of the microbial contamination that goes unseen. Domestic laundry processes often are less focused and aim to use as little energy as possible while commercial laundry efforts generally are more detailed and more effective. 

Linens and clothing harbor pathogens. Did you know that many hospitals have their staff clean their own uniforms?


How Clean Is the Linen at My Hospital? The Mucorales on Unclean Linen Discovery Study of Large United States Transplant and Cancer Centers

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Identifying reverse exchange practices: a comparative study of laundry logistics in public hospitals (Thailand)

Cleanliness of Linen and Clothing Items Professionally Laundered or Dry-Cleaned

Microbiological Contamination of Bed Linen and Staff Uniforms in a Hospital

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The infection risks associated with clothing and household linens in home and everyday life settings, and the role of laundry

Laundry hygiene—how to get more than clean

Microbiological Contamination of Bed Linen and Staff Uniforms in a Hospital

Microbial aerosol liberation from soiled textiles isolated during routine residuals handling in a modern health care setting

Bacterial pathogens from bed linen used in secondary and tertiary health facilities in Benin city, Nigeria

Soiled Clinical Linens May Cause Environmental Contamination in Hospitals

Clostridium difficile environmental contamination within a clinical laundry facility in the USA

Hospital Bed Sheets Still Germy Despite Washing

Hospital Outbreak of Pulmonary and Cutaneous Zygomycosis due to Contaminated Linen Items From Substandard Laundry

Reported Linen Contamination at NOLA Hospital Serves as Industry Wake-Up Call (Part 1)

Reported Linen Contamination at NOLA Hospital Serves as Industry Wake-Up Call (Conclusion)

Hospital Textiles, Are They a Possible Vehicle for Healthcare-Associated Infections?

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STANDARD FOR PRODUCING HYGIENICALLY CLEAN : REUSABLE TEXTILES FOR USE IN THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY

Handling Clean Linen in a Healthcare Environment

ALM Recommendations and COVID-19 News

 

There is way too much data to not think uniforms and linen are part of the infection control chain / problem.  Pathogens hitch a ride throughout your facility on shoes and uniforms.  Curbing secondary infection will save lives, and money.  Fixing this problem requires persistent cleaning tech, because of persistent shedding from staff, patients, and visitors.