11/02/2010
(Fredericksburg, Va.) – The Laundry Operations of Rappahannock Goodwill Industries got the thumbs up a second time for meeting the highest standards in processing health care linens. Goodwill’s Laundry passed inspection for reaccreditation by the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council.
“It’s a statement that we are doing everything we can to make sure everything we do is safe,” Earl Persons, RGI’s director of Laundry Operations, said. “Our product is hygienically clean, high quality linen, our people are safe and well trained, and we are doing everything to protect them and the patients who will use the linens.”
Inspection for reaccreditation is more rigorous than the first inspection, explained Persons. The standards for accreditation cover handling and transportation of soiled linens to the laundry site, processing at the site and delivery back to the customer. The inspectors review policies and procedures, training programs and the laundry’s relationship with its healthcare customers. OSHA required practices, including Blood-borne Pathogen Exposure Control Standards, receive special attention.
HLAC is a non-profit independent organization that accredits laundries that process healthcare textiles. Accreditation is based on the highest standards to support patient safety and infection prevention. These standards were developed from federal regulations and guidelines, and best industry practices. Accreditation is fee based and voluntary. Goodwill’s Laundry received its first accreditation in 2007.
Rappahannock Goodwill Industries is a private not-for-profit organization that serves the city of Fredericksburg and a 12-county region. It provides work opportunities and job training to people with barriers to employment, particularly those with disabilities.
Contact:
Earl Persons, Director of Laundry Operations. 540-372-3934
Earl.Persons@FredGoodwill.org