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How to Reduce Healthcare-Associated Infections

Middle aged Caucasian woman cleaning hospital bed with spray bottle and cloth, wearing medical uniform and identification badge, performing sanitation in healthcare facility

How Linen Services Help Reduce Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)

In healthcare environments, the battle against infection is ongoing—and every detail counts. While surfaces and hand hygiene receive most of the attention, textiles like sheets, gowns, towels, and scrubs also play a critical role in the spread or prevention of pathogens.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) affect approximately 1 in 31 hospital patients on any given day, according to the CDC (CDC). That makes textile handling, laundering, and delivery more than just a back-of-house concern. It’s a matter of patient safety.

Here’s how professional linen services like Superior Linen Service help reduce the risk of HAIs through certified laundering, functional separation, and hospital-grade hygiene protocols.

The Hidden Risk of Textiles in Healthcare

Pathogens like MRSA, C. difficile, and Acinetobacter have been shown to survive on hospital textiles for up to 90 days in some cases (PubMed).

In fact, according to research published by the Journal of Infection Prevention, nearly 50% of hospital staff uniforms tested positive for pathogenic organisms, often due to laundering at home or improper washing procedures (De Montfort University).

This data highlights how crucial it is for healthcare facilities to work with professional linen providers who meet verified hygiene standards.

What Professional Linen Services Do Differently

Working with a certified healthcare linen service ensures that:

  • Textiles are washed at 160°F+ using hospital-grade detergents

  • Soiled and clean linens are never cross-contaminated

  • All items are sealed and transported using hygienic protocols

A 2024 white paper endorsed by APIC (Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology) concluded that hygienically processed healthcare apparel and textiles play a critical role in supporting infection prevention protocols—especially when laundering occurs in certified, commercial environments rather than uncontrolled residential settings (APIC White Paper).

Why Superior Linen Service is Different

We’re proud to be TRSA Hygienically Clean Healthcare Certified, which means:

  • Biologically verified pathogen removal with each load

  • Clean and soiled textiles are fully separated from pickup through processing

  • Protective packaging and clean transport keep linens sterile until point of use

  • Routine third-party inspections and performance testing confirm compliance

Every piece of linen is treated as a direct extension of your patient safety protocol.

Real Impact for Patients and Providers

For healthcare facilities, the benefits of high-standard linen service go beyond aesthetics:

  • Fewer microbial exposure points

  • Greater safety for immunocompromised patients

  • Improved staff compliance with infection prevention

  • Stronger support for isolation protocols

Ask These Questions Before You Choose a Linen Partner

To protect patients and staff, your laundry partner should be able to answer:

  • Are your healthcare programs TRSA certified?

  • How do you prevent clean/soiled linen contact?

  • What infection control protocols do you follow?

  • Do you offer sealed packaging and traceable deliveries?

Final Thought: The Right Process Can Save Lives

Textile hygiene plays a bigger role in infection control than many realize. At Superior Linen Service, our certified systems are built to support healthcare providers with the consistency, safety, and accountability that modern care demands.

Want a better way to handle scrubs, sheets, gowns, or patient linens? Contact us here or take a virtual plant tour to see our standards in action.