The risks associated with laundering hospital linen, quilts, curtains,  plastic sheeting, and other textiles are generally identified, and appropriate procedures for handling the risks are widely used.

The risks in the non-hospital area are not always identified. Risks to health from non-hospital laundry work may be greater than that associated with hospital work. For example, items such as hotel and motel bed linen are not subject to the infection control procedures that apply in healthcare establishments following change of occupant. Because of the potential risk, the requirements for infection control in laundries processing non-hospital linen should be as stringent as those for hospital laundries.

Although soiled textile articles have been identified as a source of pathogenic microorganisms, the risk of disease transmission is negligible if hygienic and correct storage and handling of clean and soiled articles is practiced.

Laundry validation trial

The AS/NZ S4146 describes the general laundry practice requirements for commercial, industrial, hospital, institutional and coin operated laundries. A key element of the standard relates to the microbiological outcomes required for laundering processes.
 
Laundry trials are performed as per the AS/NZ S4146  requirements and are designed to demonstrate the effectiveness of a clothes washing cycle in removing and/or killing bacteria.  A kill claim cannot be made from the data generated from this test since the protocol does not allow for differentiation between killing the bacteria and removing them by detergent/mechanical action. The protocol is suitable for comparative performance testing of different wash cycles, chemicals and conditions.

Sample requirement

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Turnaround time

Depending on the product and test requirement, this may vary. Contact us to discuss further.