SOPS AND

FUNCTIONS OF
LINEN AND
LAUNDRY DEPT. OF
LARGE
MULTISPECIALTY
HOSPITAL
Dr. Meera Suvarna
, Nidhi Thacker
 Introduction

• Laundry service is responsible for providing an adequate,

clean and constant supply of linen to all users. A reliable
laundry service is of utmost importance to the hospital.
In today’s medical care facilities, patients expect linen
to be changed daily.


An adequate supply of clean linen is sufficient for the

comfort and safety of the patient thus becomes essential.
The main purpose of this department is to provide clean
material to the patients and ensure that hygienic
conditions are maintained in the process.

 Objectives
1.To provide linen free of dirt, soils and stains to all User
Departments.
2.
2. To monitor and enforce controls necessary to prevent

spoilage (wear & tear due to washing) of linen and reduce

the frequency of linen turn over by increasing their life
period.


3. To maintain record of effectiveness of cleaning,



disinfecting and turnover.



4. To increase efficiency, economy, accuracy and provision



of better patient care.



5. To develop a cost effective program by cost analysis of



personnel, supplies and equipment.

 Function
1.
2.Collecting soiled linen from various places.
3.
2. Sorting the linen and processing them.


3. Inspecting and repairing or replacing damaged



materials.


4. Distributing clean linen to the respective user



departments.


5.
 Maintaining different types of registers
 SOP
•
• Receipt of Dirty Linen
•
• Each linen should have an identity of its own. The
proposed identity for the Linen is as follows:
§ Name of the Organisation : ABC Hospital
§ Name or No. of the Ward/ Room : Ortho II or 6
§ Name of the Material : BS (Bedsheet), PG (Patient
Gown), DS (Draw Sheet), PC (Pillow Case), etc,.
§ Number of the Linen: 1 to …..
•
• Sorting of Linen:
The linen after collected from the different wards has to
be sorted out in the Laundry. The Soiled, stained and
normal dirty linen have to be sorted out.
•
• Removal of Soils/ Stains:
It is recommended that 4 gms of bleaching powder for
every liter of hot water(20 – 43 C) and dipping the
clothes for at least 20 minutes is recommended for
removal of Soils and stains
• The persons handling the soiled/stained linen should use a
thick rubber gloves that can tolerate Bleach and Luke
Warm water.
•
• Washing:
Hot water (20 – 43 C) is recommended for using in
washing machines. This can act as an disinfecting agent
too. The time of linen in the washing machine depends
• Water Extractors & Dryers


The washed linen is put in the water extractors for 3 – 5

minutes and then sent to dryers for drying.
•
• Sorting of torn linen for tailoring


After drying, the linen is checked for wear and tears. The
torn clothes should be sent for mending/ tailoring. If the
linen is out of the scope of mending, then the
condemnation committee should condemn it.
•
• The Condemnation Committee should consist of the
following members.


1. Laundry Supervisor
2. Tailor
3. Store Officer
4. Responsible person from the User Department.
• Folding and Pressing


A pressing machine that can generate its own steam is

recommended. This can help in saving the electricity and
wastage of steam while traveling a long distance. Now a
days, the systems that are self dependent are preferred to
save the costs.


• Distribution


The finished goods are to be stored in the clean storage

area before distribution. The clean linen should be checked
for quantity before delivery. Then the linen should be
distributed to different Departments in a separate trolley
which are not used for collection.
 LINEN DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
•
•Centralized distribution service
üClean for dirty
üTopping up
üExchange trolley system
üPack system
•
•Decentralized linen service
•
•Mixed linen service
 STORAGE SYSTEM
•
•The storage system should be
designed as to enable items to be
stored at least
•
Ø8 inches from the floor,
Ø
Ø2 inches from the outside walls and
Ø
ØAt least 18 inches from ceiling
 DOCUMENTS TO BE
MAINTAINED


1. Instruction manual for all the

equipment.


2. Records of all preventive

maintenance, calibration and repairs of
equipment.


3. Load Records including contents of

each load, initials of the operator,
equipment number or other
 Laundry capacity and load
•
• American standard:
ØAn average of 6.8 kg per bed per day plus
11.3 kg for each operation or delivery
•
• British standard:
Ø60 articles per bed per week at 0.39 kg
per article
•
• Indian standard:
Ø2 to 5 kg per bed per day
 List Of Equipment's
• Double door Washing machine
• Hydro extractor
• Drying Tumbler
• Calendaring Machine
• Flat bed Steam Press
• Dry-cleaning Machine
• Boiler
• Hand Press
• Rolling Table
• Ironing Table
• Automated Loading Unloading Washer
•
 List Of Equipment's


• Dry linen trolley

•
• Wet linen trolley
•
• Distribution trolley
•
• Motorized sewing machine
•
• Air compressor
Activity Flowchart
 Conclusion
•Thus, laundry and linen service
plays a very important role in
maintaining and safeguarding the
health and hygiene of both the
inpatient and medical staff. The
quality and standard of this
service determines in a large
measure, the quality of any health
care system.
Thank you !!!!
