healthcare textiles & laundry
healthcare textiles & laundry
By Greg Gicewicz
AI in Healthcare Laundry: The Next Game- Changer— Or Just Another Tool?
The reality is that AI is not here to replace us, it’ s here to make us better. Instead of fearing job losses, the real opportunity is in learning how to leverage AI to improve patient safety, compliance, and operational efficiency.”
I still remember the first time I heard someone say,“ Automation is going to take all our jobs.” It was years ago, and RFID tracking was just starting to gain traction in healthcare linen. Back then, the fear was that linen managers and inventory staff would become obsolete because the system could track usage, reduce loss, and automate billing. But here’ s what actually happened: instead of cutting jobs, RFID created new roles— data analysts, linen utilization specialists, and logistics coordinators. The same thing happened when automated sorting systems were introduced. Rather than reducing staff, these technologies made healthcare laundries more efficient, enabling growth, expansion, and even more hiring.
Now, as AI enters the conversation, I’ m hearing the same fear again.“ AI is coming for our jobs!” But just like before, the truth is far more nuanced— and far more promising.
How AI is Already Transforming Healthcare Laundry
The reality is that AI is not here to replace us, it’ s here to make us better. Instead of fearing job losses, the real opportunity is in learning how to leverage AI to improve patient safety, compliance, and operational efficiency.
1. AI is Improving Linen Tracking and Loss Prevention
• AI-powered RFID tracking and predictive analytics can detect unusual linen usage patterns, helping hospitals reduce linen loss and theft.
• Instead of relying on manual audits, AI systems can predict shortages and optimize inventory levels before they become a problem.
�Actionable Tip: If your linen program still relies on spreadsheets or manual inventory checks, it’ s time to explore AI-driven tracking solutions.
2. AI is Enhancing Infection Control
• AI-assisted stain and contamination detection can improve quality control, flagging linens that need re-washing or rejection before they reach a patient.
• Advanced machine learning models can analyze laundry wash cycles, water temperature, and chemical usage, ensuring linens meet infection prevention standards.
�Actionable Tip: If your laundry partner isn’ t using AI-powered quality control, ask them how they ensure contaminated linens don’ t slip through the process.
3. AI is Streamlining Staff Scheduling and Workflow Optimization
• AI-powered workforce management tools can analyze demand, predict workload fluctuations, and optimize scheduling, ensuring the right number of workers are on shift without overstaffing or burnout.
• Automation reduces repetitive tasks, allowing skilled staff to focus on process improvements, compliance, and customer service.
�Actionable Tip: If your facility struggles with staffing inefficiencies, explore AI-driven scheduling software to reduce overtime costs and optimize labor.
What AI Won’ t Do
Despite all its capabilities, AI won’ t replace human expertise. In healthcare laundry, experience, judgment, and adaptability still matter more than algorithms. Here’ s what AI cannot do:
✖ It won’ t replace plant managers. AI can optimize operations, but it cannot make judgment calls in emergencies or complex situations. ✖ It won’ t solve customer disputes. AI can analyze data, but relationship-building, trust, and negotiation are human skills. ✖ It won’ t replace infection control specialists. AI can flag risks, but final decisions require medical expertise and hands-on verification.
�Bottom Line? AI is a tool— not a replacement for skilled professionals.
The Future of AI in Healthcare Laundry If history tells us anything, technology doesn’ t eliminate jobs— it transforms them.
• When outsourced linen services became standard, jobs didn’ t disappear— they shifted from hospitals to commercial laundries.
• When automated sorting systems came online, laundries didn’ t downsize— they expanded capacity and hired more staff.
• Now, as AI integrates into healthcare linen management, the next phase will be training workers for the new roles AI creates.
So instead of asking,“ Will AI take our jobs?” the real question should be:“ How do we prepare for the new jobs AI will create?”
I would love to hear your thoughts— how do you see AI shaping your healthcare laundry operations? Email me at gregory @ complianceshark. com
Gregory Gicewicz is the president and CEO of Compliance Shark, a business compliance platform, as well as past-president of the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council( HLAC). He may be reached at: gregory @ complianceshark. com
mar-apr 2025 • www. healthcarehygienemagazine. com •
27