{"id":15440,"date":"2020-04-16T22:42:51","date_gmt":"2020-04-16T22:42:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unimac.com\/latam\/?p=15440"},"modified":"2020-04-16T22:42:51","modified_gmt":"2020-04-16T22:42:51","slug":"guidelines-for-laundry-in-health-care-facilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unimac.com\/latam\/news\/guidelines-for-laundry-in-health-care-facilities\/","title":{"rendered":"Guidelines for laundry in health care facilities"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">is\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">critical<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">to<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">correctly\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">l<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">aunder garments\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">in health care facilities<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, if you are to\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">help\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">stop the spread of the coronavirus<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and other bacteria<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to your employees and patients.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Not surprisingly,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other health care centers wash lots of<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0laundry,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">everything from bed sheet<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and blankets, to towels, personal clothing and more.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In fact, an estimated 5 billion pounds of items are laundered in health<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">care settings annually.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Even before the coronavirus became a worldwide pandemic,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">health<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">care facilit<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ies dealt with<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0contaminated fabrics<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0that were soiled with<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0blood, stool, urine, vomit and other dangerous contaminants<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When handled inappropriately and not washed properly, bacteria, viruses and ectoparasites<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, or\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">organisms such as ticks, fleas, lice and mites that attach or burrow into the skin and remain there for periods of time,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">can spread from these contaminated textiles, causing serious complications for patients and caregivers.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">To combat these dangers, f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ollow these\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/infectioncontrol\/guidelines\/environmental\/background\/laundry.html\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0guidelines:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Minimize the spread of bacteria during transport.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Minimize handling the laundry<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">avoid<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ing<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0agitation t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">o prevent spreading bacteria across additional surfaces or through the air.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Do not<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0rinse or sort soiled laundry at the location where it was used, such as the patient\u2019s room or in a surgical area. Instead:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0a7\" data-font=\"Wingdings\" data-listid=\"10\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Place the laundry into bags or other appropriate contain<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ers\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">in the original location and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">secure\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the bags\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">or containers<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Leak-resistant contain<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ers<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0may be necessary if the laundry is wet and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">could<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0soak through a cloth bag.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0a7\" data-font=\"Wingdings\" data-listid=\"10\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Us<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0labels<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0or<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0color<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">coding\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">to\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">clearly mark contaminated bag<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">and thus<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0allow others in the facility to handle these items safely. Use red bags or bags marked with the biohazard symbol, if the facility does not use universal precautions for all laundry.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0a7\" data-font=\"Wingdings\" data-listid=\"10\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Don\u2019t\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">squeez<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">e<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0or hold the bags near the body during transport to avoid puncturing.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0a7\" data-font=\"Wingdings\" data-listid=\"10\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Once properly secured and labeled, transport to the on-premise<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0laundry area for proper handling.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Have hand washing stations readily available.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">All employees working in nursing homes<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0long-term care facilities\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">and other health care operations\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">should have access to proper hand washing stations, particularly if they\u2019re handling soiled linens.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Employees should\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">also\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Studies\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">show<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0that washing hands regularly can reduce the spread of illness and infection.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/coronavirus\/2019-ncov\/prevent-getting-sick\/prevention.html\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">CDC<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0recommends people wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and if soap and water are not readily available, people should use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0percent<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0alcohol, making sure to cover all surfaces of their hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In\u00a0fact<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0even before the spread of the coronavirus<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">researchers in London estimate<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0that if everyone routinely washed their hands,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">1<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0million deaths a year could be prevented,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0according to<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/healthywater\/hygiene\/fast_facts.html\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">CDC<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Wear appropriate PPE when handling soiled fabrics.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Laundry workers should wear appropriate personal protective equipment<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0or PPE<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, such as medical gloves and masks<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0when handling and sorting soiled fabrics.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">G<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">loves used for sorting laundry should be thick enough to minimize potential injury from needles and other sharp<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0item<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s accidentally mixed in with the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">laundry<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Learn<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0more about PPE<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0in the\u202f<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osha.gov\/pls\/oshaweb\/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&amp;p_id=10051#1910.1030(d)(4)(iv)(B)\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Bloodborne Pathogens Standard 29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(4)(iv)(B)<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In addition, the CDC is now recommending the use of\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/coronavirus\/2019-ncov\/prevent-getting-sick\/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">simple cloth face coverings<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to slow the spread of the coronavirus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. These\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">cloth face coverings should be used wherever social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, and should be\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">machine\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">washed routinely, depending on frequency of use.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Cloth face coverings should\u2014<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0a7\" data-font=\"Wingdings\" data-listid=\"9\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0a7\" data-font=\"Wingdings\" data-listid=\"9\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">be secured with ties or ear loops<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0a7\" data-font=\"Wingdings\" data-listid=\"9\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">include multiple layers of fabric<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0a7\" data-font=\"Wingdings\" data-listid=\"9\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">allow for breathing without restriction<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0a7\" data-font=\"Wingdings\" data-listid=\"9\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Minimize contamination by partitioning your nursing home\u2019s on-premise<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0laundry room.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">To avoid contaminating laundry, it\u2019s recommended to have two separate areas for laundry at your long-term care facility \u2013 a dirty area for soiled linens and a separate clean area for handling washed items.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For those facilities considering updating or renovating their laundry areas,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">UniMac<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0offers\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/unimac.com\/latam\/Architects\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">resources for architects<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202ffor designing a functional and safe on-premise laundry room for senior care facilities.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Keep laundry equipment clean and well-maintained.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">All washing machines and dryers in health<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">care settings\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">should<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0be properly maintained according to the manufacturer\u2019s instructions. To\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">prevent microbial<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0contamination of your commercial laundry equipment:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Remove solids such as feces or vomit before the wash\/dry cycle.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Follow the recommended temperature, detergent and laundry additive guidelines.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Don\u2019t leave damp textiles in machines overnight.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Provide proper washing instructions for scrubs\/uniforms or wash on site.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;134233279&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">While OSHA regulations prohibit home laundering of personal protective apparel or equipment, such as a lab coat or gloves, experts are divided about whether this extends to scrubs, uniforms and other clothing worn by doctors, nurses and medical professionals during the workday.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If uniforms are required, the health care facility should make provisions to launder them properly on-site or provide the necessary information to employees regarding risks, infection control and proper cleaning guidelines for the item based on duties being performed at the facility. Research shows that sleeves and pockets tend to contain the most harmful bacteria on garments, even when not visibly contaminated.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Use h<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ot water<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0while doing laundry<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to minimize bacteria.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0temperature of at least 160\u00b0F\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(71\u00b0C)\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">for a minimum of 25 minutes is commonly recommended for\u00a0hot-water\u00a0washing in health care facilities and nursing homes<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, according to the CDC<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In addition, the use of chlorine bleach assures an extra margin of safety. Chlorine bleach becomes activated at water temperatures of 135\u00b0F\u2013145\u00b0F (57.2\u00b0C\u201362.7\u00b0C).\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Not surprisingly, laundries are typically the largest users of hot water in hospitals and can consume 50<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0percent<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to 75<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0percent<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0of the total hot water, representing an average of 10<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0percent<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to 15<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0percent<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0of the energy used by a hospital<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Thus, f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">or facilities looking to reduce costs and energy use, cutting back on hot water is an option. Research has shown that lower water temperatures (71\u00b0F\u201377\u00b0F) can reduce\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">microbial\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">contamination as well,\u00a0as long as\u00a0the washer cycles, detergent and other laundry additives are monitored carefully.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Label chemicals and soaps to prevent injury.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Soaps, detergents and chemicals can cause skin irritation, chemical burns and more<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, so it\u2019s important\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">nursing homes\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">and other health care facilities\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">properly label chemicals used in<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">laundry rooms. Facilities should implement a written program that meets the requirements of the\u202f<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osha.gov\/pls\/oshaweb\/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&amp;p_id=10099\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Hazard Communication Standard<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202ffrom OSHA. Properly store soaps and chemicals and clean up spills quickly when they occur.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\" data-wac-het=\"1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u00a0is\u00a0critical\u00a0to\u00a0correctly\u00a0launder garments\u00a0in health care facilities, if you are to\u00a0help\u00a0stop the  [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":15441,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[735,935,17,731,24,730],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15440","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-assisted-living","category-coronavirus","category-health-and-wellness","category-long-term-care","category-news","category-on-premises-laundry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v23.4 (Yoast SEO v26.2) - 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