Environmental health impact in the hospital laundry

The task of surveying the hospital laundry is often dismissed by public health officials as unnecessary because the laundry cycle is generally considered to be capable of destroying all pathogens. Even though a properly operated laundry can produce a relatively bacteria free product, there are a number of variables that have an impact on the bacterial quality of the linen before it reaches the patient. It is vital that surveillance personnel understand these factors during processing, transporting, or sorting linen so that the final product is aesthetically, chemically, and bacteriologically acceptable for patient use. At the U. S. Public Health Service Hospital laundry in New Orleans, surveillance by the Environmental Health Department has identified potential problem areas. Operational improvements have been instituted at this laundry that would not have been possible without a thorough understanding of the laundry cycle. The authors describe the laundry cycle, including potential problem areas; identify useful microbial and chemical surveillance methods; and discuss process control procedures. This information will help the environmental health worker in discussions with laundry personnel regarding contamination control and operational efficiency.