In the high infection risk environment of hospitals and care homes, infection control safeguarding is a paramount concern for nurses. One sometimes overlooked aspect of this is laundry management. Although the risk of direct transmission of pathogens through soiled laundry is relatively low, the risk still exists of dangerous infections being passed to staff, patients, and residents, if the correct precautions are not taken.
The following are just a few of the infections that can potentially be contracted from the improper handling of soiled laundry:
- Norovirus: This seasonal virus, evocatively known as the ‘winter vomiting disease’, is highly contagious and causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It can easily spread through contaminated objects, including clothing, bed linen, and laundry.
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): MRSA is a type of ‘super bacteria’ that has developed resistance or immunity to several commonly used antibiotics. It can survive on surfaces, including clothes, and can cause severe infection with potentially life-threatening complications if it enters the bloodstream.
- Clostridium difficile (C. diff): C. diff is a gastrointestinal bacterium that can cause symptoms ranging from diarrhoea and loss of appetite to life-threatening inflammation of the colon in high-risk patients. Spores from C. diff are resistant to many common disinfectants and can survive for extended periods on fabrics.
- Influenza/flu: Although primarily transmitted through aerosolised particles, the flu virus can survive on surfaces like clothes for hours to days, depending on temperature conditions. Handling contaminated laundry can potentially lead to infection.
- Fungal infections: Certain types of fungi, such as those causing fungal nail infection, athlete's foot and ringworm, can survive on clothes and towels and can potentially spread through shared laundry.
How to reduce infection risk: fully soluble laundry bags
Laundry bags play an important part in risk mitigation and prevention in hospitals and care homes. Why? Because fully soluble laundry bags are designed to dissolve completely in water, minimising direct handling requirements for hospital and laundry staff. They are typically used for highly soiled or suspected contaminated linen to prevent the spread of infectious agents during handling and transportation. The contaminated linen is placed directly into the fully soluble bag, which is then sealed and transported to the laundry area. During the wash cycle, the bag dissolves, releasing the linen for cleaning.
To leverage the greatest benefit from fully soluble laundry bags, it is recommended that the following safety best practices are followed.
- Use of PPE: Before handling soiled or contaminated linen, it's essential for staff to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, facemasks, and aprons. This creates a barrier between the nurse and potential pathogens.
- Correct handling of fully soluble laundry bags: The contaminated linen should be handled as little as possible. It should be placed directly into the fully soluble laundry bag at the site of removal, such as the patient's bed or treatment area. The bag should then be sealed securely to prevent leakage or spills.
- Transportation to the laundry: Once the bag is sealed, it should be transported immediately to the laundry area, following the facility's protocol. Care should be taken not to shake the bag or come into contact with the soiled linen inside.
- Washing protocols: The sealed fully soluble laundry bag should be placed straight into the washing machine without opening. The bag will dissolve during the wash cycle, minimising the risk of direct contact with the contaminated linen.
- Hygiene precautions: After handling soiled linen and laundry bags, nurses should thoroughly wash their hands using soap and warm water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser if soap and water are unavailable.
Find out more
Soluble laundry bags from Silk Pak are a practical and cost-effective solution for managing soiled and contaminated linen in hospitals and care homes, reducing the risk of infection and ensuring their safety and the safety of their patients. For more information, please contact our knowledgeable team today by calling 0161 367 1205.
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