The resurgence of Covid 19 in autumn and winter 2023 has been worrying for NHS professionals and healthcare facilities, which often find themselves at the front line of the fight against the virus.
In these busy settings, laundry bags are essential tools for containing potentially contaminated items and making it easier for staff to handle them safely without risk to exposure to the virus. In this article, we’ll look at the ways in which dissolvable laundry bags can help maintain hygiene and safety in hospital laundries and other wash facilities, especially in the context of the ongoing Covid 19 threat.
Secure containment of contaminated items
Hospital laundries generate large volumes of bedlinen, used PPE, towels, and other laundry items that are potentially contaminated with Covid 19 – alongside a host of other nasty viruses, bacteria, and pathogens. Collecting and containing these items in secure laundry bags, and minimising contact for staff, is critical for preventing the spread of infection around the hospital. Dissolvable laundry bags are particularly beneficial in this regard because they can be placed directly into a washer without having to be opened or handled, reducing the risk of exposure to the virus.
Safe handling for laundry and hospital staff
The correct handling of potentially contaminated laundry items is crucial for safeguarding the well-being of laundry staff and hospital workers. Laundry bags that are designed for infectious disease control and hospital use can often be customised with specific markings that indicate the content’s nature and any potential risks. This helps avoid confusion among laundry workers and ensures that the appropriate procedures are followed when handling high risk or known contaminated items.
Compliance with hygiene guidelines
Hospitals and healthcare facilities are required to comply with strict hygiene guidelines and protocols when handling infected laundry, especially during Covid outbreaks and flu season. Many hospitals and NHS Trusts have guidelines in place that regulate the use of specific laundry bags, detergents, and drying procedures, for example. Dissolvable laundry bags are widely used by healthcare institutions worldwide and make it easier for hospitals to comply with infection control guidelines and best practices. By using these bags, hospitals can demonstrate compliance and reduce the pathogen exposure risk level for their staff and patients.
Ease-of-use
Dissolvable laundry bags are extremely easy to use. Laundry items are simply placed into the bag, which is then securely closed, and then they are disposed of into the washing machine. The bag dissolves in water as the items are washed, and then the washing machine cleans away all residual material without leaving any residue behind. It is a hassle free and efficient solution to laundry management and infection control during any infectious disease outbreak.
Talk to one of our experts today
To find out more about our water-soluble laundry bags and how they can support your infection control efforts in your hospital, please contact Slik Pak today by clicking here.
