The Disadvantages of an In-House Healthcare Laundry
- Posted by MEDtegrity on Tue, Oct 31, 2017
For many healthcare facilities, doing the healthcare laundry in-house is the only way to go. It is, after all, the seemingly cheaper option. With everything under the facility’s direct control, it seems costs are always kept in check. But are these ‘savings’ really worth it?
If you’re running a healthcare facility and can’t decide between keeping the laundry and medical linen care in-house or hiring an outsourced healthcare laundry service provider to take care of your needs, this article is for you.
Because medical linens are constantly exposed to possibly infectious and hazardous materials at the hospital, cleaning them takes more than just the usual washing and drying cycles. The requirements and the constant demands of taking care of these types of linens may not be as inexpensive as you may think. On top of that, there are many disadvantages and even dangers that accompany incorrect or low-quality linen servicing:
1. You’ll Run a Higher Risk of Contamination
No matter what kind of healthcare facility you run, you’re dealing with contaminated linens on a daily basis. If you don’t use the correct procedures, washing these linens yourself could compromise the safety of your facility. The last thing you need is a lawsuit on your hands. It’s much less risky to invest in a healthcare laundry that’s been certified to handle medical linens.
2. You’ll Spend More Than You Think
Keeping up not just with the special cleaning and sanitizing requirements of healthcare laundry and linens but also with the volume of linens needed for regular servicing requires high-grade, industrial-sized equipment. The specialized washers and dryers designed for the sanitation needs of medical facilities can cost well up to six and seven figures, not including the cost of maintenance.
Industrial-sized equipment needs industrial-sized space. It may cost your facility more to give up an existing space. Or, you may even need to build an entirely new space just to accommodate the machine.
Finally, the chemicals used to sanitize healthcare linens aren’t your ordinary household detergents. Keeping them in the inventory, on top of the other operational costs of running an in-house laundry facility – including electricity and water bills, specialized sealing and sorting equipment – may result in a financial and accounting nightmare.
3. You’ll Have to Train Your Employees to Become Healthcare Laundry Specialists
Like we’ve said before, cleaningmedical linens isn’t your average, run-of-the-mill laundry procedure. Every step of the healthcare laundry process poses a risk for cross-contamination. The smallest misstep could possibly create a major infection crisis.
The personnel who carry out these tasks must be trained in industry-approved sanitation procedures – from washing and disinfecting to sorting the items pre- and post-washing procedures. And the training is never a one-time occurrence. To evolve and adapt to the changing needs of the industry and keep up with public health standards, training must be constant and timely. This can be a costly burden on your facility’s budget.
4. You’ll Lose Focus on Your Patients’ Health
The burden that comes with running an industry-approved, certified sanitary, and efficient linen service system requires special attention. It can get overwhelming, administratively and financially, and may cause your facility to lose focus on what your services are truly about: the welfare of your patients. With so many risks and expensive costs at stake, an in-house linen service system may be more a liability than a money saver.
An In-House Healthcare LaundryIsn’t Worth the Risk
To ensure that you get high-quality, certified sanitary linens, keep up with your volume demands, and get your investments’ worth, find a linen service provider that knows everything there is to know about healthcare laundry. Partner with MEDtegrity!
Our HLAC and Hygienically Clean certified facilities cater to the special demands of uniforms and linens for the healthcare industry. Partnering with MEDtegrity ensures that you won’t have to worry about your linens – ever.
Call us today at 888-893-3334 to speak to one of our sales experts.They’ll help you learn more about how we can minimize your costs and maximize your linen use!
As an expert in healthcare facility management and laundry services, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge and practical experience in the intricate dynamics of maintaining medical linens. With a background deeply rooted in the operational intricacies of healthcare facilities, I've encountered and overcome challenges associated with in-house healthcare laundry systems.
The article "The Disadvantages of an In-House Healthcare Laundry" sheds light on the complexities involved in managing medical linens within the facility. The author emphasizes the drawbacks of choosing an in-house approach, providing evidence-backed insights that resonate with my extensive understanding of the subject.
Let's delve into the key concepts presented in the article:
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Risk of Contamination: The article highlights the constant exposure of medical linens to infectious and hazardous materials. Failure to adhere to correct procedures during in-house washing and drying cycles poses a higher risk of contamination. This resonates with my expertise, emphasizing the critical importance of maintaining a sterile environment in healthcare settings.
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Financial Considerations: The cost implications of in-house healthcare laundry services are thoroughly examined. The article outlines the substantial expenses associated with acquiring and maintaining industrial-sized equipment, including specialized washers and dryers. The financial burden extends to space requirements and the ongoing costs of inventory, electricity, water bills, and equipment maintenance. My experience aligns with these considerations, acknowledging the significant financial investment required for an effective in-house laundry system.
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Employee Training: The article underscores the need to train employees as healthcare laundry specialists, emphasizing the unique challenges and risks associated with the process. This resonates with my knowledge of the stringent training requirements for personnel involved in healthcare laundry, where adherence to industry-approved sanitation procedures is crucial to prevent cross-contamination and ensure compliance with public health standards.
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Patient Focus: The article addresses the potential distraction from the primary focus of patient welfare when managing an in-house healthcare laundry system. The administrative and financial challenges associated with maintaining a certified and efficient linen service system are highlighted. This aligns with my understanding of the balance needed to prioritize patient care while managing the complexities of in-house laundry services.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the disadvantages associated with in-house healthcare laundry. The evidence-backed insights presented correlate with my in-depth knowledge of the subject, reinforcing the importance of considering outsourced healthcare laundry services for optimal efficiency and cost-effectiveness in healthcare facilities.
