Downe Hospital, Downpatrick - 15 February 2011 - Regulation and ...

8.0 Patient Linen
STANDARD 3.0
PATIENT LINEN
Storage of clean linen; handling and storage of used linen; ward/
department laundry facilities
Patient linen Ward 1 Ward 2
Storage of clean linen 88 88
Storage of used linen 100 100
Laundry facilities N/A N/A
Average score 94 94
8.1 Management of Linen
Fresh linen was stored under the same conditions in both wards, that is
on a wire cage and unwrapped. The metal of the cage framework was
rusted in places and the cages were held in a multi purpose store with
incontinence products and mattresses.
Cage with linen supplies
This is not an acceptable practice as there is potential for aerosol and
hand contact contamination of the unpackaged linen. The trust’s
Infection Prevention and Control team and ward managers have
already highlighted their concerns with the laundry provider.
In both wards good practice was observed in the handling and storage
of used linen.
Recommendations
16. Linen should be packaged to minimise the risk
contamination during transit.
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