How to dispose of hospital linens that came in contact with Ebola patients.
Angelica continues to monitor very closely the developing circumstances involving the Ebola virus, and has given particular attention to the potential implications for linen cycling to and from our customers. We want to keep you informed of the latest guidance in this regard.
“Ebola presents special challenges for hospitals and caregivers,” says Dave Van Vliet, President and CEO of Angelica. “We want to ensure that our hospital and outpatient clients are informed about the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and how to apply those guidelines to safely manage the linen supply.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a leading authority regarding the current Ebola outbreak and a guiding force in combating its further spread, has directly addressed issues associated with linen that may be exposed to the virus.
According to the CDC, linen that has been used with any individual who is being tested for the Ebola virus is to be bagged in a regular soiled linen bag and stored in the patient’s room, pending completion of the testing process. This should include linen that has arrived at the treatment facility with the patient (e.g. by EMS, private transport, etc.).
The Ebola virus is classified as a Category A infectious substance, and regulated as such, by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Accordingly, if the test results are positive, confirming the patient is infected with the Ebola virus, all linen used in connection with the care and treatment of the patient, whether used before or after the test results are known, is to be properly handled, packaged, transported and disposed of as a Category A infectious substance in accordance with applicable DOT regulations. In such cases, pillows, mattresses and textile privacy curtains that are not fluid-impermeable are to be handled, packaged, transported and disposed of in the same manner.
If the patient’s test results are negative for the Ebola virus, linen used in connection with the patient’s care is to be handled in accordance with standard (universal) precautions and placed in regular soiled linen bags for laundering.
Angelica will continue to closely monitor further developments in connection with these matters and will make every effort to share with you any changes in the above procedures that may become appropriate or necessary.
Angelica’s solutions that help reduce health workers’ exposure to potentially contaminated linen
AngelGuard™ – Privacy Curtain Solutions
Minimizing contact with contaminated items is key to reducing the risk of infection. AngelGuard disposable privacy curtains feature simplified installation and removal that greatly reduces the exposure among hospital staff, helping caregivers stay safe.
Preparation protocol for disposable privacy curtains
If the Ebola test results are positive, confirming the patient is infected with the Ebola virus, all linen including curtains (textile or disposable) used in connection with the care and treatment of the patient, whether used before or after the test results are known, is to be properly handled, packaged, transported and disposed of as a Category A infectious substance in accordance with applicable DOT regulations.
Other important Info
For more information see:
- Centers For Disease Control page providing guidance for Environmental Infection Control in Hospitals for Ebola virus
- DOT Regulations for Handling Category A Infectious Substances
- Click here to learn more about AngelClean™ – disinfected linen that is a 100,000 times cleaner than the industry standard