HOSPITAL LAUNDRY FACILITIES


Mick Christian Mick Christian, Training &


The Electrolux Professional Barrier Washer Pullman


Clarus Vibe. Of course, hygiene again comes into


play here too. For most standard ironers, the nature of the linen fibre, residual moisture, the wash programme used, and the thickness of fabric, can all impact on the ironing process, with linen that is still moist presenting a risk of transmitting infection. This is where the Direct Ironer Advanced Moisture Management System (DIAMMS) comes into play. When the sensor within the ironer comes into contact with the linen fibre, the cylinder speed will be automatically adjusted to deliver bacteria-free laundry. Crucially, if the linen humidity exceeds the RABC international standard of 8%, an indicator on the user interface will then flash. With laundry then washed, dried, and


pressed, all that remains is for it to be sorted, using the same tagging system as before. Fresh linen should be delivered to the ward on a separate vehicle to those portering dirty laundry in the interests of hygiene, and should then be stored in an elevated linen cupboard to prevent dust contamination until use.


Keeping ahead of the curve The last thing to consider for any Laundry manager is adding an element of connectivity to their on-premises laundry. The Certus Management Information System (CMIS), for example, allows up to 30 machines to be installed in a network and connected to a PC, and can be installed in just one day. The benefits here are numerous; Laundry managers can access a helicopter view of their operation,


48 Health Estate Journal June 2024


with vital information such as running hours, idle time, consumption figures, and machine usage all accessible at a glance. This allows potential inefficiencies to be easily spotted, with a view to becoming more productive. Error alerts are also viewable through the portal, with a list of recommended actions, alongside a record of maintenance intervals and the last completed service. Perhaps most crucial to the hospital environment, CMIS is an important source of process validation, offering proof of receipt, alongside full logs of all wash cycles to potentially help trace outbreaks of infection.


Servicing requirements From here, understanding servicing requirements is all that remains to run a well-oiled on-premises laundry. Low-level maintenance checks should be completed ideally daily, or weekly at minimum, including checking safety devices and seals, and looking thoroughly for leaks on washing machines. For dryers, lint filters should be cleaned regularly in between cycles. To keep machines in good working


order, it is critical that Laundry managers address any warning messages or faults and take the recommended action from the CMIS. Professional servicing is recommended once a year for washers and dryers, and four times a year for ironers. Here, taking out a comprehensive servicing agreement with the original equipment manufacturer, such as Essentia, can help provide peace of mind, allowing


Demonstration manager for Electrolux Professional UK & Ireland, began his career as an electrician by trade, working as a self-employed sub- contractor after completing his apprenticeship in 1985. Soon after, he made his first foray into the world of laundry after striking up a working relationship with an Electrolux Professional installer. After an opening became available within the company in 1987, he joined, and soon became the designated Laundry engineer for the East Midlands, and now has over 36 years’ experience in the industry. Today, he works with the UK & Ireland laundry sales team, conducting product demonstrations and training for sales partners and customers at Electrolux Professional’s Centre of Excellence in Luton, as well as on site. He is also responsible for the company’s health and safety and compliance.


Healthcare is one of the largest sectors that Mick Christian and the wider Electrolux Professional team serve. In his time at the company, he has worked with countless Laundry managers and Training operatives to develop washing and drying programmes, alongside offering expertise on laundry cycle management, and maintaining equipment.


appliances to remain regularly maintained, while also providing access to swift repairs if a breakdown should strike.


While managing the laundry demands of a full healthcare estate may at first seem like a daunting prospect, it is clear that there are credible paths to streamlining workflow. Here, the latest technologies may provide a major boon to hospital Laundry managers, helping to provide a near-failsafe approach to hygiene, while also offering a number of additional benefits in the form of staff wellbeing, efficiency, and productivity.


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