[Problems of laundry hygiene]

As the bacteria found more frequently in hospital infections are the same found in the linen, it is speculated that hospital linens can contribute to the spread of nosocomial patologies. Nevertheless this consideration does not prove that linen constitutes a significant source for transmission of hospital infections, although some studies have strengthened this possibility. The hygienic problems of hospital linens washing have a great importance and in this contest the possibility of contagion throught infected sheets or overalls constitutes only a part of the question. The problem of the spreading of nosocomial infections has to be divided into (1) collection and arlage of the linens; and (2) their disinfection and washing. Collection and carriage need precautions to prevent the hospital staff and the patients from the direct contagion, while during the washing the infected, or potentially infected, linen are to be regarded as a potential risk, which can be avoided through a disinfection before the standard washing cycle. During the washing the processes of cleansing, the dilution and the effect of temperature could be sufficient to obtain the final results. The last consideration is linked to gestational aspects, that's to say the consumptions, the costs, the traditional organizing procedures and the alternative ones, such as the possibility of substituting disposable material to linens or to refer to central laundries placed outside the hospital building and independently operated.