Organization of Linen & Laundry Services In Hospital

8/14/2019 Organization of Linen & Laundry Services In Hospital

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Ms. Aditi DesaiLecturer

M.Sc.(Nursing),PGDHA ,M.Phil ,MBA


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When most people think of hospitals they usually think in terms of doctors

and nurses because of there high visibility, the profile services they render

and the close relationship they have with patients and their relatives. But

those who are familiar with the day to day operations of hospitals

realize that no hospital can operate without the less glamorous services

such as housekeeping, laundry and kitchen that go by the name of

supportive services. Laundry and linen services are one such vital

department of the hospital.


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Patients Point of view

Psychological Satisfaction

Soothing

Positive image of hospital

Medical point of view

Reduced HAI

Faster recovery(Pleasant aspect)

Patients comfort and satisfaction

Administrators point of view

Good public relation

Positive image of hospital

Ensure quality services


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Collection of or receiving soiled and infected linen

Processing soiled linen through laundry equipment. This includes sorting,

sluicing and disinfecting, washing, extracting, conditioning, ironing,

pressing and folding

Inspection and repair of damaged linen, their condemnation and

replacement

Assembling and packing specialty items and linen packs for sterilization

Distributing processed linen to the respective user departments

Maintenance and control of active and back-up inventories and processed

linen


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The operational chief of the laundry is a laundry manager who may have been trained in

laundry operation or has adequate experience in the field. He reports to one of the

associate or assistant administrators. Much laundry manages come up through the ranks.

However, with increased automation and better opportunities to train people in technical

school

No formal training required for the other personnel and most of them learn their

responsibilities on the job. Hospitals will do well to recruit personnel who are able to

read and understand simple instructions. Follwoing staff is require

Laundry manager who has been trained in this activity

Laundry assistant

Labour staff


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The linen requirements can be calculated on the basis of operational

planning of areas of different activities, the nature of the hospital, type of

hospital and the policy of the hospital

The areas to be considered primarily are:

Fixed areas e.g. OPD and other department

Operation theaters and labor rooms

Intensive care units, indoor Wards and private rooms


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Overall availability of sets of linen

Type of laundry system ( In-plant system)

Type of detergent being used for washing purpose

As per general experience 15-0 percent of the linen becomes unusable

after period of 3 months.

Ideally , a hospital having 100% bed occupancy should have six set of

linen per patient as given below:

One set in patients bed / One set en-route to laundry /One set in process in

laundry /One set ready for use

Two sets for active storage for work and use in case of emergencies


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Hospital linen can be classified in the following categories:

1) Store linen:

i) Patient Linen : Body linen / Bed Linen

ii) Staff Linen

iii) Department/ service linen

2) Laundry linen:

Soild linen : use by the patient

Infected Linen: contaminated by infected material such as pus, blood, bodydischarge etc.

Foul linen :contains faeces, excretions and blood stains

Radioactive linen


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Linen Collection from ward

Transport to laundry

Sorting ( blood stained/ Non stained )

Washing

Drying

Pressing

Folding

Sorting ( Coloured/ White)

Loading

Distributing


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1)Centralized linen distribution :

Linen issued from central linen room / Exchange trolley system

Requirement communicated in written form

Tedious process: counting of linen required before requisitioning

Time consuming process

2)Decentralized linen services : Various units, wards, OTs etc are allotted

required quota of linen articles

Linen are marked thus avoid mixing up

Nursing in charge are responsible

Large number of linen required

3)Mixed Linen services


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Contract system

In Plant system

Cooperation system

Linen rental system

Training Of Staff:

Handling Of Machine

Handling of Linen

Use of gloves and gowns

Should be begged separately from other linen

Should be washed separately

Fire Safety and precaution


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Proper accounting

Not storing too much of linen: Thefts are common and may be

difficult to identify

Keeping soiled linen under lock and key to avoid pilferage

Keeping clean linen in cupboard to avoid theft

Not giving away control of linen to labour staff


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A manager must know

production,

purchasing

Linen, washing formula

Supply

Utilization of services

Control of the washing formula is the heart of costs in linen


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Documents

Organization of Linen & Laundry Services In Hospital