Frequently Asked Questions about Hospital Laundry Services for Healthcare Facilities (Hospitals and Clinics)

The laundry process carried out by professional laundry services is generally divided into four main categories: sorting, washing, finishing, and infection prevention. Here’s an explanation:

1. Sorting This is the first step where linen is separated based on type, colour, and contamination level. Proper sorting is crucial to ensure that each item receives the correct washing treatment.

2. Washing At this stage, the linen is thoroughly cleaned using industrial washing machines. The process often involves high temperatures and special detergents to eliminate bacteria and viruses. According to industry standards, hot water and steam bursts are required for effective sanitation.

3. Finishing This is the final step where the linen is dried, ironed, and folded. Some of our facilities use automated systems to ensure precision and efficiency. Proper finishing ensures that linen is not only clean but also neat and comfortable for patient use.

4. Infection Prevention Infection prevention is at the core of healthcare laundry services. By adhering to the guidelines set by the Ministry of Health Regulation No. 27 of 2017 on Infection Prevention and Control (PPI), our services help prevent the spread of infections within healthcare facilities.

How does the washing process in hospital laundry align with Infection Prevention and Control (PPI) standards from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia?

Infection prevention is central to healthcare laundry services. By adhering to the guidelines set by the Ministry of Health Regulation No. 27 of 2017 on Infection Prevention and Control (PPI), our services help prevent the spread of infections within healthcare facilities.

PPI refers to efforts to prevent and minimize infections among patients, visitors, staff, and the surrounding community in healthcare facilities. Some key PPI steps in hospitals include:

• Hand hygiene

• Personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Decontamination of patient care equipment

• Environmental control

• Waste management

• Linen management

• Healthcare worker protection

• Patient placement

Washing and disinfecting medical linen begins with source control. Before leaving the hospital, linen must be sorted and packed separately according to categories such as infected vs. non-infected patients, doctors and patients, adults and children. Contaminated textiles should be isolated, stored separately, and washed as soon as possible.

IKM Laundry uses Barrier Washing Machines in our laundry area, which effectively separates dirty laundry from clean laundry using partitions to prevent the risk of recontamination. We comply with health standards by implementing infection prevention processes to ensure all linen is hygienic for patients.

Does water quality affect the quality of hospital linen laundry?

Yes, water quality has a significant impact on the cleanliness of medical linen. Hard water (water containing minerals and impurities) can damage fabrics, cause discolouration to grey and yellow, and lead to fibre damage. It can also make textiles feel stiff. The minerals in hard water can reduce the effectiveness of detergents and bleach, thus damaging the linen. For this reason, the water used to wash medical linen must undergo sterilization to ensure the best quality.