Be Proactive by Running Your Own Reports
Data can be confusing. You may have a lot of numbers and still no information. Without information, you cannot act. For example, imagine you have a bunch of colored blocks. You can sort them by color, by shape or by amount. But where does that get you? Visualizing data in a way that gives you the information you need to take action is important and having data at your fingertips is crucial.
Whether your linen loss data is represented as a clean-to-soil ratio or as a soil-to-clean ratio, looking at your numbers proactively will allow you to take appropriate steps to decrease your linen loss costs. In this blog, HandCraft Linen Services has provided a step-by-step resource on how to pull your linen loss data so you, too, can be in the know.
Linen Loss Formulas
First, let us revisit the linen loss formulas.
Clean to Soil Ratio is the weight of clean linen pounds delivered divided by the weight of the soiled linen returned to the plant.
94,000 lbs. of clean pounds delivered = 0.94 or 94%
100,000 lbs. of soiled pounds returned
In this case, you want your clean-to-soil ratio to be 94% or lower.
Soil to Clean Ratio is the weight of the soiled linen returned to the plant divided by the weight of clean linen pounds delivered.
106,000 lbs. of clean pounds delivered = 1.06 or 106%
100,000 lbs. of soiled pounds returned
And, with this scenario, you want your soil-to-clean ratio to be 106% or higher.
Regardless of which ratio you use, soiled linen should weigh more than clean linen due to the “soil factor,” which is added moisture from fluids, feces, etc. Remember, there is a charge when your linen loss data does not meet your contracted amount.
Be Proactive
Some of HandCraft’s customers run their own reports weekly or even daily. They get a sense of how their data look and can take steps to improve their numbers. Running their own reports gives them time throughout the month to make these adjustments. This proactive approach has saved them thousands of dollars on linen loss costs.
Actions to take when you want to improve your linen loss ratios—
- Decrease your clean linen ordering for the remaining weeks in the month.
- Track your clean pounds delivered monthly to your adjusted patient day data to determine if you can fine-tune your PAR in certain areas.
- Find areas where staff hide linen and send this back to the plant.
- Search areas such as waiting rooms and patient bed storage for linen.
- Make a concerted effort, especially at the end of the month, to collect all the soiled linen from patient areas.
Do not wait to receive the previous month’s data to see how much you may have to pay for linen loss. You can make a difference now by using the resource below and running your own linen loss reports. Contact your customer relations specialist for questions or more information.
Check out the Delivery Receive Compare Report
Contact HandCraft for more information
If you are looking for the right team to help prevent linen loss and decrease your linen loss costs, you have found us. We have the experience, the industry-backed expertise, the technology, and the professionals to help you achieve your goals. Remember to look at our Linen Awareness Program – healthcare linen management strategies that save costs and improve service.
Call us today at (888) 358-8671 or reach us here for more information on our services.
About the Author
Dyan Troxel, MSN, RN
Dyan is a registered nurse with experience in clinical and non-clinical settings, including Surgical ICU, Neonatal ICU, Education, Process Improvement, and Healthcare Leadership.
