Kansas Administrative Regulations
Agency 28 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT
Article 34 - HOSPITALS
Section 28-34-15 - Laundry

(a) The hospital shall make provisions for the proper laundering of linen and washable goods.

(b) When linen is laundered outside of the hospital, the hospital shall be responsible to assure that the requirements of these standards are covered in the terms of the contract or agreement.

(c) Hospital employees involved in transporting, processing, or otherwise handling clean or soiled linen shall be properly trained to ensure patient and employee safety.

(d) No laundry operations shall be carried out in patient care areas, nor in areas where food is prepared, served, or stored.

(e) All soiled linen shall be clearly identified.

(f) Soiled linen from infectious or isolation areas shall be bagged, marked, and laundered separately.

(g) Soiled diapers and nursery linen shall be washed separately.

(h) Soiled linen shall be sorted only in the sorting area.

(i) The washing and rinsing process shall be adequate to provide protection to patients and personnel. The temperature of water during the washing process shall be controlled to provide minimum temperature of 165° Fahrenheit for 25 minutes.

(j) Personnel handling soiled linen shall wash their hands after completing work with soiled linen.

(k) The finished "clean" linen and other washable goods shall be transported to the storage area or nursing units in conveyances used exclusively for "clean" goods.

(l) Clean linen stored in storage areas or on nursing units shall be in closets, shelves, conveyances, or rooms used exclusively for this purpose.

(m) All clean linen being transported shall be protected from contamination.

(n) Adequate space and equipment shall be provided for the laundry operation of the hospital.

(o) Sanitation controls shall be maintained.

(p) Laundry chutes shall be used only for soiled linen that has been properly bagged.