3.7.1. Laundry Process in Hospitals

1. Collection from Emergency, main OT, OPD, various specialised centres and wards
2. Transportation from linen bank or directly from hospital to laundry plant
3. Unloading dirty linen and sorting
   • Bed linen— clean, mildly soiled and very soiled
   • Patients’ dress
   • Doctors’ dress
   • Blankets

The laundry process in hospitals starts with the collection of used linens from various areas within the hospital, such as the emergency department, operating theater (OT), outpatient department (OPD), and specialized wards. This collected linen is then transported either from a central linen bank or directly from these departments to the laundry facility.

Once it arrives at the laundry, the first step is to unload the dirty linen. The linen is sorted based on its cleanliness levels. For example, bed linens may be classified into three categories: clean, mildly soiled, and very soiled. Additionally, clothing items belonging to patients and doctors, as well as blankets, are sorted during this phase to ensure that each type of fabric receives appropriate processing.

Think of this process like sorting out clothes before doing laundry at home. If you have a load of laundry, you wouldn't mix colored clothes with whites or delicate fabrics with heavy ones. Similarly, the hospital laundry sorts linens to ensure that each type is cleaned properly and effectively, which is crucial for maintaining hygiene.

4. Washing is done in large washing machines which have a capacity of 100 kg per load.
5. Hydro-extraction — Hydro extractors work in centrifugal motion which gets rid of 60 –70% moisture.

After sorting, the linen is washed in large commercial washing machines designed to handle significant volumes—up to 100 kg of laundry per load. These machines are capable of using high temperatures and specific washing cycles suitable for hospital linens to ensure proper cleaning and disinfection.

Following the washing process, hydro-extraction occurs. Hydro extractors use centrifugal force to remove moisture from the fabrics, getting rid of about 60 to 70 percent of the water. This step is vital because it reduces the remaining drying time, which contributes to the overall efficiency of the laundry process.

Imagine how you use a spin cycle on your home washing machine to remove excess water from your clothes after washing them. In hospitals, hydro-extractors perform a similar function but on a much larger scale. Just like squeezing out water from clothes reduces drying time, hydro-extraction makes the subsequent drying process quicker and more efficient.

6. Drying
7. Pressing, ironing, folding and stacking
8. Mending and segregation of condemned articles
9. Packing
10. Distribution

Once the linens are hydro-extracted, they move on to the drying stage, where they are dried using industrial dryers designed to accommodate large quantities efficiently. After drying, the linens undergo pressing, ironing, folding, and stacking to prepare them for storage or distribution.

During this process, any linens that are damaged (condemned articles) are segregated for repair or disposal. The finished, clean linens are then packed and prepared for distribution back to various hospital departments, ensuring that they are available when needed for patient care.

Consider preparing a large batch of laundry from a family gathering—after washing and drying, you need to iron, fold, and put everything in its rightful place to restore order. In hospitals, this systematized approach ensures that every detail is taken care of so that clean linens are readily available to provide comfort and cleanliness for patients.

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