Failure to Follow Laundry Policy and Prevent Overnight Storage of Wet Clean Linen
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s infection prevention and control program related to laundry handling practices. During an observation and interview in the laundry room, a laundry staff member reported that the night shift typically loads laundry into the washing machine before leaving at 8:00 PM, and that the morning shift then transfers this wet laundry to the dryer upon arrival between 5:30 and 6:00 AM, resulting in wet clean laundry remaining in the washer overnight. A second laundry staff member confirmed that leaving wet clean laundry in the washing machine overnight occurs on a regular basis. In an interview, the Infection Preventionist acknowledged that wet laundry should not be left in the washer overnight. Review of the facility’s Laundry and Linen policy, last revised October 2022, showed that it explicitly states, “Do not leave damp linen in washing machines overnight.” The report notes that leaving wet clean laundry in the washing machine overnight can lead to the growth of mildew and describes associated symptoms and populations at increased risk, citing Cleveland Clinic and CDC environmental infection control guidelines.
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