The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently issued a Letter of Interpretation calling on healthcare professionals not to throw away as infectious, “red bag waste,” reusable textiles that are soiled with blood or bodily fluids in the course of patient treatments, according to an online report in Infection Control Today.
 
Specifically, the OSHA letter, issued on Oct. 29, 2013, says, “The definition of ‘regulated waste’ does not include contaminated linens that will be laundered and reused. 29 CFR 1910 10330 (b). Healthcare laundry operators may cite the letter as part of their efforts to work ...