Angelica Issues Ebola Guidance to its Customers

Angelica Corp., Alpharetta, GA, recently issued a letter to its customers providing guidance on the proper handling of linens used for patients being tested for the Ebola virus, according to a news release.

“Ebola presents special challenges for hospitals and caregivers related to the handling of linens,” said Dave Van Vliet, Angelica’s president and CEO. “We want to ensure that our hospital and outpatient clients are informed about the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and how to apply those guidelines to safely manage the linen supply.”

In accordance with current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Angelica advises that linen that has been used with any individual who is being tested for the Ebola virus should be bagged in a regular soiled linen bag and stored in the patient’s room, pending completion of the testing process. This should include linen that has arrived at the treatment facility with the patient by EMS, private transport, etc.

For patients that test positive for the Ebola virus, all linens used in connection with the care and treatment of the patient, whether used before or after the test results are known, should be handled as Category A infectious substances in accordance with Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. These linens must not be returned to Angelica for laundering, the release said.

For patients testing negative for the Ebola virus, linens used in connection with the patient’s care should be handled in accordance with standard (universal) precautions, placed in regular soiled linen bags and returned to Angelica for laundering.

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