SOP23 - Handling of Linen and clothing
Target Audience
All CWP staff
Purpose
Clothing or bed linen used by service users is a potential infection risk to those staff who are handling it on a ward or department; and during transportation to or processing in the laundry.
The risk of acquiring infection from linen, even if it is contaminated by blood and body fluids or excreta from infected service users is low, if it is handled with gloves and sealed in an impermeable bag at source and laundered in accordance with the appropriate policy.
Origin
Lead executive
Director of Nursing, Therapies and Patient Partnership
Author and contact number
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Team
01244 397700
Policy dates & history
Implementation Date
31 January 2019
Approval Meeting
Infection Prevention and Control Sub Committee (IPCSC)