You probably want to know the Truth About Healthcare Textiles
Hey there, I’m Greg,
Welcome back to the ninth Compliance Shark Newsletter!
Before we dive in, if you’re here after reading yesterday’s LinkedIn post … yes, I did promise an exciting announcement.
Some people are captivated by great music, while others are passionate about sports. Many dedicate their lives to admirably curing deadly diseases like cancer or HIV, and others find joy in the beauty of great art.
Me? Who would have thought that I would discover my life's calling in the world of healthcare laundry?
That’s why I’ve written a book, capturing everything I’ve learned to help you protect your community’s most vulnerable. If you’re curious about it or want a copy, reply to this email at gregory@complianceshark.com, and I will send you an early bird copy. It contains absolutely everything I’ve learned in the decades I’ve been in the space.
This week, we’re peeling back the curtain (literally) on a topic that’s often overlooked but absolutely critical: specialty healthcare textiles, or, what I refer to as textdevices.
From reusable surgical gowns to cubicle curtains, these items might not make the headlines, but their role in infection prevention and ensuring patient safety cannot be overstated.
So with that, let’s dive straight in.
The Unseen Danger of Textdevices
Think of a busy ED. Three patient spaces are divided by cubicle curtains. One patient tests positive for a contagious infection like meningitis. Over hours, the curtains are touched by healthcare staff, visitors, and even the patient’s family. How often are those curtains changed? Were they properly laundered and tracked?
Yeah, you guessed it – probably not often enough. But let’s say they were contaminted and changed. Did housekeeping document the curtain changes? On top of that, is the laundry that will process the curtains capable of doing it properly without damaging or losing them? I know when I first started out in the laundry business, I definitely didn’t know how to.
I remember an autumn morning in the late 2000s when Maria, one of my employees, wheeled a tub into my office filled with what can only be described as a textile disaster. Torn cubicle curtains, sticky lint-covered surgical towels, and damaged patient slings – a $2,000 loss in unusable textdevices.
The culprit? A mishandled load, with delicate items like curtains and gait belts washed together. The root cause? A lack of proper training. That moment was a wake-up call. We revamped our training programs, tightened processes, and saw fewer mistakes. The lesson? Handling textdevices requires precision and expertise, or the cost – both in dollars and safety – is far too high.
Now, let’s zoom out. Healthcare facilities are filled with specialty textiles – patient slings, operating room drapes, microfiber cloths – each requiring unique handling. These aren’t just laundry items; they’re regulated medical devices with processing requirements that demand precision.
5 Key Considerations for Managing Textdevices
Inventory is king. Start by listing every specialty textile in your facility. Include where they’re used, how often, and their ownership (hospital-owned vs. rental). If you don’t know what you have, you can’t manage it effectively.
Understand how each textile needs to be handled Not all textiles are created equal. Some require sterilization (e.g., surgical gowns), while others need low-heat drying to prevent damage (e.g., cubicle curtains). Improper handling can destroy them – or worse, compromise safety.
Check your laundry’s capabilities. Does your provider have the expertise to process these items? Many bulk laundries excel at scale but fall short on specialty needs, leading to damaged or lost items.
Training time. Improper sorting and handling are some of the biggest culprits behind textdevice damage. Make sure your staff actually understands how to separate, prep, and process these items correctly.
We love documentation. Whether it’s tracking curtain changes or ensuring Class II medical devices meet FDA requirements, detailed records are non-negotiable. They protect your patients – and your facility.
Final Thought
Healthcare textiles touch lives – literally and figuratively – and getting it wrong can have serious consequences.
Anyhoo. As always, if you have questions or insights to share? Shoot me an email at gregory@complianceshark.com. And, if you’re curious about my book, it’s designed to be a go-to guide for anyone involved in healthcare that is touched by linens. That includes infection prevention, environmental services, supply chain, and even the C suite. It’s everything you need for a quick rundown to achieve linen excellence – without spending decades in the space or making the inevitable mistakes.
Until next time,
Greg
Compliance Shark