healthcare textiles & laundry
healthcare textiles & laundry
By Gregory Gicewicz
Laundry Accreditation and Certification
Accreditation and certification are critical in maintaining high standards in healthcare laundry services .
Without them , a hospital ’ s reputation — and patient safety — could be at risk . Just as a five-star restaurant can quickly lose its status if it ’ s discovered that its meat supplier isn ’ t certified , a hospital can suffer severe consequences if its laundry vendor is not accredited or certified .”
In the mid-2000s , as the new owner of a small healthcare laundry in western Washington state , I faced a turning point that changed everything . Our facility , processing just 2.5 million pounds of linen annually , was outdated and barely functioning . I had convinced a large hospital to tour our plant , confident that my Harvard degree and Microsoft experience would win them over . Instead , the visit was a disaster .
Three infection prevention nurses inspected our facility , finding one issue after another . Dirty linen carts were touching clean ones . Employees were mishandling clean linen without washing their hands . The air in the soil room was blowing the wrong way , and the layout of our equipment was unsafe . We failed miserably and lost the account .
Humbled by the experience , I reached out to one of the nurses for help . She suggested we pursue accreditation to meet the necessary standards for processing healthcare textiles . That advice set us on a new path , one that would ultimately lead to our transformation .
Imagine a world where no standards govern healthcare textiles . Laundries would operate without guidelines for sorting , washing , or environmental hygiene . Staff training would be nonexistent , and no third-party inspections would ensure compliance . Would you want your hospital ’ s linen processed in such a place ? Would you feel safe knowing your loved one ’ s linens were handled without any regulatory oversight ?
Accreditation and certification are critical in maintaining high standards in healthcare laundry services . Without them , a hospital ’ s reputation — and patient safety — could be at risk . Just as a five-star restaurant can quickly lose its status if it ’ s discovered that its meat supplier isn ’ t certified , a hospital can suffer severe consequences if its laundry vendor is not accredited or certified .
Fortunately , there are independent bodies that set and audit standards in healthcare laundry . Two of the most reputable are the Healthcare Laundry
Accreditation Council ( HLAC ) and the Textile Rental Services Association ( TRSA )’ s Hygienically Clean Healthcare program . I strongly recommend ensuring that your healthcare laundry is either accredited by HLAC or certified by TRSA .
HLAC , a non-profit organization established in 2005 , accredits laundries that process healthcare textiles . Accreditation is voluntary , meaning hospitals can choose to work with laundries that are not accredited . HLAC ’ s standards are based on a thorough review of scientific literature , expert consensus , and real-world outcomes , ensuring they are both effective and reliable .
HLAC ’ s standards cover every aspect of laundry operations , from handling soiled textiles to delivering clean items . With more than 600 standards , the accreditation process is comprehensive and rigorous . The inspection process involves a detailed review of documentation , a physical tour of the facility , and interviews with staff . The findings are then reviewed by an HLAC subcommittee , which makes the final accreditation decision .
The TRSA Hygienically Clean Healthcare program , unlike HLAC , is a certification initiative focused on outcome-based standards . Developed by the Textile Rental Services Association , this program includes random microbiological testing of processed linens to ensure hygiene standards are met . TRSA ’ s approach combines process-based best practices with empirical testing to provide a clear measure of safety and effectiveness .
Laundries seeking TRSA certification undergo a similar process to HLAC accreditation , including a thorough inspection of the facility and an evaluation of staff training . However , TRSA ’ s certification emphasizes the outcome of the laundry process , verified through microbiological testing at certified labs .
When deciding between HLAC accreditation and TRSA certification , it depends on what you value more : process-based standards or outcome-based verification . Both programs offer strong credentials and ensure that healthcare textiles are processed safely . Some laundries choose to pursue both to demonstrate their commitment to the highest standards , though this can be expensive and resource-intensive .
Ultimately , the decision to choose HLAC , TRSA , or both depends on your facility ’ s needs and goals . While these programs are invaluable in maintaining high standards , they are not a substitute for ongoing vigilance and onsite inspections by your healthcare facility . Accreditation and certification provide a critical baseline , but it ’ s up to your facility to ensure that these standards are consistently met .
My journey from running a struggling laundry to operating a fully accredited facility underscores the importance of adhering to stringent guidelines and seeking external validation . Accreditation and certification are essential in ensuring that healthcare textiles are processed safely , protecting patient health and supporting a hospital ’ s reputation . By embracing these standards , laundries not only improve their operations but also contribute to the broader healthcare environment . The transformation of my facility through HLAC accreditation is a testament to the power of rigorous standards and the pursuit of excellence .
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
26 • www . healthcarehygienemagazine . com • september 2024