HLAC

HEALTHCARE LAUNDRY ACCREDI TAT ION COUNC I L (HLAC) laundries and associated textile service areas. Best practices for materials selection in critical areas (those that can impact product hygiene) will recommend the use of non-porous materials. Some shifts are already being seen, for example, stainless steel working surfaces including sorting/folding tables are replacing wood and laminates, and plastic-molded carts are replacing canvas ones. There is another issue that surface testing is bringing to light – contamination from packaging materials. The surfaces of incoming packages of supplies and products are a potential contamination source that is not considered in many laundry operations. Pallets, bags, and boxes of supplies/products are, many times, positioned next to the point of use or stored in operational areas where clean textiles are being handled. It’s possible, once confirmed, that the data will suggest that all external packaging be removed upon receipt in a designated area. Facility Design and Updating – Segregation of Soiled and Clean Linen Historical laundry practices were driven by workflow more so than infection prevention. The good news is that by definition soiled and clean linen are usually physically located in different locations. As infection prevention concerns enter the picture, it is those areas where clean and soiled cross paths even if it is at different points in time that are of concern. Laundry air analysis has confirmed the need for good lint and dust control to prevent contaminated air from impacting clean HCTs. Specific to laundry operations, data may be used to justify certain “functional” separation practices, especially as it relates to airflow. However, when enough data is generated, it is possible that “physical” separation of clean and soiled linen, i.e. a wall, will be considered an industry best practice.