HC Advisory Board, Users Group Review ’21 Program Updates

TRSA’s Hygienically Clean Advisory Board and Users Group each reviewed a range of issues related to the Healthcare certification program on the opening day of TRSA’s Dec. 1-3 Virtual Healthcare Conference.

The Advisory Board session, Chaired by Randy Bartsch of  Ecotex Healthcare Linen Service, Vancouver, BC, Canada, drew 15 attendees representing, laundry operators, supplier partners and medical professionals, including infectious-disease specialists and representatives of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Their session, information from which was shared with the Hygienically Clean Users group that met later that afternoon, addressed topics including:

• A review and approval of Standard Language changes to the certification.
• Reviewed UV disinfectant. Attendees discussed whether UV should be added to the HC standard. The Board determined that UV should be recognized as a best management practice (BMP), but information on UV will not added to the HC standards
• Chief Inspector Bob Corfield reviewed a case study with the Advisory Board that highlighted errors found during an inspection and the difference in the requirements of how the Healthcare Standard handles the correction action process  vs. HC HACCP Programs (Food Safety, Food Service, and Hospitality). The case study findings included the following recommendations and items for discussion:
  • Consider adding documented Corrective Action Reports (CAR’s) to the HC Healthcare Standard
  • When should errors generate a reinspection – Inspector will provide a list of infractions that may trigger a reinspection (1Q 2021 call)
  • Review of OSHA Related Documentation for SDS and MSDS sheets. Update Standard to reflect the latest OSHA updates
• Realignment of Standard verbiage to meet ISO and ANSI standards
• Formalized and Documented web-based complaint process
• Continuation of Virtual inspection process after COVID travel restrictions are lifted (hybrid of In person and virtual inspections offered based on customer preference)
• The Advisory Board was presented with a proposal to test linen at the hospital that would prove the cleanliness of the linen using a luminometer (ATP tester)
  • Board Chair Bartsch reminded  the presenter that the purpose of the program is to prove that the process generates a hygienic outcome
  • Other Board participants discussed the validity of the test, saying that you can’t use ATP testers on soft or porous surfaces
  • Suggested the Advisory Board review an AORN report on ATP
  • Follow up with labs to determine whether ATP tested can be used on soft surfaces (Hygenia, 3M, and Charm Sciences Inc,

The Users Group meeting drew roughly 25 attendees who reviewed the same material discussed by the Advisory Board. In addition, the Users Group discussed:

• New forms coming from labs with new pricing for 2021. TRSA Director of Certifications Angela Freeman reminded the Users Group attendees to make sure they fill the forms out correctly to avoid double billing.

Finally, Freeman offered both sessions an overview/update of the Hygienically Clean Certification program. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the program has added:

• Twelve new plants participating in Hygienically Clean certification since March (17 new plants certified in 2020) 44 Renewals
• Four new plants certified for Food Safety since March; 21 Renewals
• Two new plants certified in Food Service; six renewals
• Ten new plants are participating in Hospitality, (four new plants certified) one Renewal

Readers with questions about Hygienically Clean certification may contact Freeman at afreeman@trsa.org.