DHA Laundry Visit Checklist.docx

DHA Infection Prevention and Control Inspection of Laundry Services

LOCATION:

Date of Inspection:

CONDUCTED BY:

1. Is the receiving area for contaminated textiles maintained at negative pressure compared with the clean areas of the laundry in accordance with AIA construction standards in effect during the time of facility construction?

2. Do laundry areas have handwashing facilities and appropriate PPE available for workers?

3. Are warning signs about the presence of contaminated textiles and the need to follow Universal Precautions posted in work areas?

4. Is the textile areas free of vermin, devoid of lint, and without obvious moisture contamination?

5. Is the facility equipped with emergency showers, eye wash stations, and other health safety devices i.e. AEDs, spill kits, fire extinguishers?

6. Are safety features (e.g., emergency lighting, signage, fire alarms, door accessibility and egress, safety perimeter for robotics, equipment guards) evident and operational?

1. Is personal protective equipment available and in use: gowns, aprons, masks, eye protection?

2. Do employees remove PPE properly before leaving receiving/sorting area?

3. Are Hepatitis B vaccines required for all employees (Records maintained IAW local policy)?

4. Personnel are free of illness/infections and restricted from work until illness has resolved?

5. Does the facility have a hazardous materials (e.g., non-biological, chemical, radiological) safety plan and policy?

6. Do employees receive initial and annual training on Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control, Hazardous Substance Contaminated Textiles and Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations?

1. Is laundry equipment used in accordance with manufacturers’ instruction for use?

2. Is soiled linen handled as little as possible and with minimum agitation?

3. Compliance with standard/universal precautions is observed in the soiled linen area – sharps disposal units available/staff know what to do?

4. If hot-water laundry cycles are used, wash with detergent in water ≥160°F (≥71°C) for ≥25 minutes?

5. Choose chemicals suitable for low-temperature washing at proper use concentration if low-temperature (<160°F [<71°C]) laundry cycles are used?

6. Is the soiled/dirty linen area kept clean of visible soil/dust and lint & disinfected after each use?

7. Are working surfaces that become contaminated with blood or Other Potentially

Infectious Materials (OPIM) are decontaminated, cleaned, and disinfected with EPA- registered hospital disinfectants labeled tuberculocidal or registered disinfectants on the EPA Lists D and/or E?

8. Damp textiles or fabrics are not left in machines overnight?

9. Ironing equipment is maintained at a temperature of at least 300 degrees F?

10. Textiles and fabrics are packaged, transported, and stored by methods that will ensure their cleanliness and protect them from dust and soil during inter facility loading, transport, and unloading?

1. Is clean linen transported in containers exclusively for clean linen, clean hampers lined with plastic or reusable liners if cart does not have a solid bottom, placed in clean cart with a secure plastic or reusable cover?

2. Is clean and soiled laundry transported separately and/or are there physical barriers separating clean from soiled linen?

3. Does the vehicle contain waterless hand cleaner, PPE and a spill kit?

4. Is the interior of the vehicle cleaned on a regular basis or when it is visibly soiled?

1. Packages and storage of healthcare merchandise are maintained in a clean state for delivery to the customer?

2. The textiles are wrapped into fluid-resistant bundles, or if unwrapped, placed into fluid- resistant covered carts or hampers. (The wrapping material may be plastic or other suitable material, and shall be securely closed during transport to the customer).

3. During packaging, textiles are handled as little as possible to prevent soiling or contamination.

4. If unwrapped merchandise is placed into carts or hampers and covered, the container shall remain covered at all times until delivered to the user's textiles storage room or other designated location in the healthcare facility. If the cart does not have a solid bottom, is it lined with heavy plastic or impervious paper before placing clean textiles inside?

5. Bundled and wrapped textiles are stored in open racks in the laundry, on the trucks, or at the user's facility, provided the integrity of bundled and wrapped textiles is not compromised.

6. Unwrapped, clean textiles are stored in designated rooms.

7. If any textiles become soiled during packaging and storage, they are reprocessed in accordance with previously stated processing guidelines.

1. Is there a written Regulated Medical Waste management plan?

2. Is there an Occupational Safety and Health Program based on the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard and Universal Precautions?

3. Is there documentation on the types of laundry equipment, equipment installation, operation, safety, preventative maintenance, and repairs?

References:

Centers for Disease Control (CDC): Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities, 2003 (Updated July 2019).

Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology Text 4th Ed (APIC): “Laundry, Patient Linens, Textiles and Uniforms.” Chap 113.

OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard: 1910.1030.

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