Healthcare textiles -Contaminated Surfaces and Non-Cleanable Surfaces In Healthcare Laundry Settings

In healthcare settings, surfaces that come into contact with cleaned healthcare textiles, such as those found in laundries and patient rooms, can be a threat to patient safety if contaminated. The transfer of harmful pathogens puts the reliability of linens and medical textiles at risk. If the surfaces aren’t cleaned or can’t be cleaned, it may contribute to healthcare-associated infections, directly jeopardizing patient safety. To tackle this issue, it's crucial to enforce thorough cleaning routines and use smooth surfaces that can be washed and disinfected. Having visited and inspected hundreds of hospitals and healthcare laundries, we at Compliance Shark, have classified the following top surface risks for healthcare textiles.

Porosity in Work Surfaces:

Porous work surfaces, such as unsealed wood, cardboard, rusty metal, or concrete can absorb and retain contaminants, making it difficult or impossible to achieve thorough cleaning. In laundries we often see porous materials in direct contact with clean linens causing contamination risks. Most often we see this in the following scenarios:

a.       Sticky tape used to label carts – We see sticky tape used as a labeling device often in laundries. Sticky tape cannot be cleaned and should never be used to label tables, shelves, carts, or other surfaces exposed to clean linen.

b.       Wooden folder discharge tables – Discharge tables such as those at the end of an ironer or piece folder are often wood construction. Any clean linen that touches these may become contaminated.

c.       Clean carts with wooden bases – Clean textiles are often transported from station to station in carts (tubs) with wooden bases. Any clean linen in contact with these may become contaminated.

d.       Cardboard boxes on the finish floor – Often we see cardboard boxes around key areas in the finish area, where there is a high likelihood of clean textiles touching the cardboard. Cardboard, like wood, is not cleanable and may harbor dangerous pathogens. Any clean textile that physically touches cardboard is at risk of contamination.

e.       Unsealed concrete floors or walls in the finish area – Unsealed porous concrete floors or walls, that have a high likelihood of touching clean textiles, pose a contamination risk. Think of a situation where clean textiles from a cart dangle and touch the concrete floor. Or a situation where a clean cart full of clean textiles rubs against a brick wall.

f.        Torn or worn conveyor belts – Conveyor belts are used extensively in healthcare laundries to transport clean textiles. Torn or worn-out conveyer belts become porous and uncleanable making them a contamination risk.

g.       Rouch or textured surfaces - Surfaces with irregular textures or rough finishes can trap and hide contaminants, complicating the cleaning process. Smooth and easily cleanable surfaces are preferable in laundry environments.

h.       Damaged countertops or tables - Surfaces with cracks, crevices, or damage can harbor contaminants and compromise the effectiveness of cleaning and disinfection efforts. A good surface such as polypropylene, that is cracked or damaged, becomes a bad surface and a contamination risk.

i.         Difficult to clean laundry carts - Laundry carts with intricate designs, corners that are hard to reach, or fabric components can pose challenges in terms of cleaning and disinfection.

Addressing these concerns involves careful selection of materials and equipment with sanitation in mind. Materials like stainless steel and polypropylene plastic prove to be excellent surface choices, as they not only resist microbial growth but also facilitate regular cleaning and disinfection. Regular cleanliness assessments should be conducted on surfaces like shelving, carts, tables, folders, and conveyors to ensure they meet stringent hygiene standards.