Application of EN-14065 in new management of hospital laundry in order to reduce HAIs use of antibiotics and to slow the development of superbugs

Abstract

Introduction Despite the steps taken to reduce HAIs (Healthcare Acquired Infections), they still remain one of the world's leading and most costly healthcare challenges. Most are preventable. All are extremely costly in human and financial terms. The aim of this work is to summarize data on the persistence of different nosocomial pathogens on hospital textile and laundry, to reduce HAIs, and use of antibiotics, with New Safety Management of Hospital Laundry by application of EN-14065 and PVA-bags, all in order to slow the development of resistant bacteria and prevent the spread of resistant infections. Methodology We reviewed cited articles, and tested environmental friendly PVA-bags to proof minimizing the possibility of textiles posing as a source of infection. Topic Reviewed cited articles confirmed existing persistence of the nosocomial pathogens on hospital surfaces. Efficiency of using PVA-bags to minimize transmission we confirmed in the Clinical Center of Serbia. The EN-14065 standard came into force in Serbia in 2012., and requires controlling the RABC system which provides an acceptable level of microbiological quality of laundered hospital laundry in hygienically clean state (12 CFU/25 cm2). Conclusions Facts, that healthcare laundry continuous posing as a source of infection, and facts that HAIs are most preventable, confirmed our need to make New Safety Management of Hospital Laundry by application the EN-14065 and PVA-bags to maintain effective Infection Control, which must be involved in Serbian HealthCare System, to slow the development of resistant bacteria (superbugs VRS, MRSA) all in order to reduce HAIs, use of antibiotics, morbidity and mortality. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria - germs that don't respond to the drugs developed to kill them, threaten to return us to the time when simple infections were often fatal. The best way to reduce occurrence of HAIs will be, if new Insurance coverage regulations from Serbia eliminate reimbursement for HAIs deemed preventable.

Keywords

• new management
• hospital-acquired infection
• soiled linen
• European standard (EN 14065)
• PVA-water soluble laundry bags