With the current outbreak of COVID-19, there’s never been a more important time to be familiar with the official guidelines around linen hygiene. With so many of Richard Jay’s clients working in healthcare and linen management services, we wanted to share the Queensland Government’s most recent guidance around effective linen processing.
As we all know, good hygiene is essential in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19. Transmission can come from touching surfaces shared with a person who has COVID-19, but the risk is much lower if basic hygiene and common-sense linen-handling is practiced.
The Queensland Government has released information stating healthcare and linen management service providers should adhere to the following guidelines when handling linen:
- All onsite and offsite facilities that process or launder linens for healthcare must have documented operating policies consistent with AS/NZS 4146.
- All used linen should be handled with care to avoid dispersal of microorganisms into the environment and to avoid contact with staff clothing.
- All linen used for a person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 infection should be managed as for heavily soiled linen.
They go on to say linen should not be rinsed or sorted in patient-care areas or washed in domestic washing machines, and washing must involve the use of an appropriate detergent and hot water.
As an industry-leader in laundry infection-control, Richard Jay offers a range of industrial barrier washers (which prevent cross-contamination) and thermal disinfection solutions, including Electrolux’s efficient dosing system – a smart function that gives information on whether each wash cycle has achieved desired temperatures, and for how long.
With our customer’s needs in mind, we put together this guide to hygienic laundry practices for infection control. If you need any assistance or have further questions on the government’s guidance, please contact our customer service team on 1300 742 427 or email care@richardjay.com.au
