Laundry processors knew that going forward their key to future success was engaging the healthcare organizational leaders in inpatient or ambulatory settings to showcase their operational improvements that would result in improved throughput and service post pandemic .”
APIC , through its regional and national leadership forums , helped educate healthcare epidemiologists and value analysis professionals about the most upto-date standards for disposable and reusable textile management , including PPE and isolation gowns .
When the critical pandemic situation improved , states slowly began reopening . Laundry processors across the country breathed a sigh of relief . They could reestablish their processes and ensure hygienically clean compliance .
Many of the laundry processors used the downtime to review their operational policies and procedures to ensure compliance with state directed healthcare textile standards .
Laundry processors knew that going forward , their key to future success was engaging the healthcare organizational leaders in inpatient or ambulatory settings to showcase their operational improvements that would result in improved throughput and service post pandemic .
Taking a fresh look at relationship building , many laundry processors leaders reached out to APIC , the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America ( SHEA ) and hospital leaders , and through virtual and in-person teams , reviewed policies and procedures to ensure that the local laundry processors were compliant with hygienically clean standards .
Laundry processing leadership recognized the benefits of weekly , monthly and quarterly check-in with their inpatient and ambulatory clientele .
Reviewing laundry assessment tools resulted in streamlining internal processes and illuminating the partnering benefits with key leaders in linen , value analysis and infection prevention and control ( IP & C ) in the inpatient and ambulatory setting .
Going forward , a hybrid model appears to be a thoughtful , planful approach to manage ambulatory textiles . Developing service guidelines that encourage patients to wear appropriate clothing to outpatient appointments , imaging procedures and surgical procedures minimizes the need for disposable or reusable linen .
Ambulatory care teams can focus on reusable and disposable textile patient needs that ensure patient dignity , comfort , and best experience .
A refreshed approach to ambulatory textile oversight will help manage cost , reduce textile handling , eliminate waste , align with IP & C protocols , and contribute to overall sustainability programs encouraged by healthcare leaders .
Melanie Miller , RN , CVAHP , is a founding member and past-president of the Association of Healthcare Value Analysis Professionals ( AHVAP ), and vice president / chief strategy officer of Silver Lining Apparel .
Healthcare Hygiene magazine invites infection prevention stakeholders from all aspects of prevention and control ( including IP / healthcare epidemiology , healthcare value analysis , quality / safety / risk management , surgical services , sterile processing , environmental services , biomedical engineering and scientific research ) to submit sciencedriven , best practice-based articles for consideration for publication . Please , no public relations pitches or articles with commercial overtones . Send your queries to Kelly Pyrek at : kelly @ healthcarehygienemagazine . com
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