Healthcare Mag Recognizes TRSA C diff. Stance
Healthcare Purchasing News has acknowledged TRSA’s stand that publicity surrounding a 2016 University of Washington study on Clostridium difficile (C. diff) in hospital laundry fueled misleading impressions of such facilities’ cleanliness. HPN published online Feb. 20 a letter to the editor from TRSA President and CEO Joseph Ricci explaining how the research report and ensuing media coverage failed to accurately characterize the study.
In TRSA’s Dec. 6 analysis of the study, Ricci noted the research’s failure to adequately support the conclusion that soiled clinical linens may be a source of C. diff surface contamination at a laundry.
“Soiled healthcare linens present some risk to laundry workers, which is why TRSA and other commercial laundry organizations work closely with infection control and prevention experts regarding the cleanliness of laundry facilities and worker safety, and the transportation and handling of both soiled and clean linens,” he said. “More importantly, laundries focus on the cleanliness of the linens returned to the healthcare facility. Laundry and healthcare workers, as well as consumers, need to be aware of these efforts and not studies that misleadingly create false alarms and potential unnecessary regulation.”
HPN is a key resource for medical providers’ navigation of the challenges of procuring and using supplies that impact patient safety, efficacy and reimbursement. Readers include: professionals in supply chain and materials management, surgical services, central services/sterile processing, infection prevention, nursing, senior administration and other prominent members of product evaluation and value analysis committees. The publication is recognized as the industry’s only comprehensive business news magazine covering every angle of supply chain and materials management and its role in delivering high-quality patient care.