Love Your Linen
Many medical supplies are meant for single patient use or are disposable intended to be used only once. There are also countless examples of medical equipment that are reusable such as stethoscopes, IV pumps and surgical instruments. These are used repeatedly after cleaning or sterile processing.
Healthcare linens are reusable once they are laundered at a temperature of 140 degrees for at least 25.5 minutes with chemicals and agitation to ensure they are hygienically clean for your patients. Most linens can be laundered 75 times before they are considered unsuitable for patient use.
Help keep linens looking great for your patients by following these guidelines—
Do not…
tape linen to use for positioning
Instead…
use pillows or gel products for positioning
Do not…
cut gown sleeves for IV access
Instead…
choose gowns with snaps
Do not…
throw linen in trash or red bags
Instead…
put all soiled linen in blue soiled linen bags
Do not…
use linen as rags or to clean up spills
Instead…
use EVS rags, paper towels and mops for housekeeping and maintenance issues
Do not…
create artwork or use to make a note
Instead…
draw on paper
Do not…
use as pin cushions
Instead…
activate safety device on needles and dispose of in a sharps box
Do not…
put electrodes on linen
Instead…
throw electrodes in trash
What to do if you find substandard linen
Your facility rents patient linen from HandCraft Linen Services. HandCraft determines charges by weighing the clean linen delivered to your facility and weighing your soiled linen returned. If you throw away linen, you may pay linen loss charges.
When you find clean linen that is torn, stained, or defective, do not throw it out. Place this linen in a purple reject bag. You get credit or replacement for substandard linen as you were not able to use it for patients. Purple reject bags may be nylon found hanging from the clean linen cart or plastic in a hamper.
Putting tape on or puncturing linen with needles, writing on or cutting linen, and using linen as rags damages it beyond repair. This increases linen expenses as each piece of linen has a cost. Remember to love your linen by using it for its intended purpose—for the care and comfort of patients.
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 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 several clinical and non-clinical settings including Surgical ICU, Neonatal ICU, Education, Process Improvement, and Healthcare Leadership.
