Introduction

Used linen may be heavily contaminated with a wide range of organisms and therefore should always be handled with care to prevent their dispersal or transfer.

 

Purpose

The purpose of the policy is to outline the measures to be taken to prevent the spread of infection during handling of the linen and to ensure that linen is separated to enable adequate disinfection during the laundering process.

 

Guidelines for safe practice when handling linen

It is advisable to wear a plastic apron during bedmaking and discard afterwards. Wash/ sanitise hands after discarding apron.

Do not carry dirty linen to the sluice or place on the floor, use a linen skip at the point of care.

Decontaminate hands in between making each patient’s bed.

Wash hands after contact with soiled linen.

Securely fasten linen bags when 2/3rds full. DO NOT OVERFILL.

Ensure that no sharps are placed in plastic linen bags.

 

Policy Details

Download:	PDF version
Compiled by:	The Infection Control Team
Ratified by:	Clinical Governance Committee
Date Ratified:	April 2018
Date Issued:	August 2019
Review Date:	April 2020
Target Audience:	All staff
Contact name:	Ann Birler, Nurse Consultant / Deputy Director of Infection Prevention and Control