Hygienically Clean: From Quality Standard to Competitive Advantage

As healthcare providers place greater emphasis on infection prevention, accountability and supply chain quality, healthcare laundries face increasing pressure to prove their processes meet the highest standards. A panel discussion at TRSA’s 15th Annual Healthcare Conference explored how Hygienically Clean certification is helping operators do exactly that while delivering benefits that extend well beyond compliance.

Panelists included Susie Jackson, interim vice president of marketing & communications, TRSA; Samlane Ketevong, senior director of certification & accreditation, TRSA; TJ Peterson, Hygienically Clean auditor manager; and Dan Sanchez, Hygienically Clean auditor. The discussion was moderated by Nancy Tree, process QA & compliance manager, Alsco Uniforms, Salt Lake City.

Takeaway 1: Certification is Increasingly Influencing Purchasing Decisions

Panelists agreed that healthcare organizations are asking more detailed questions about laundry quality, infection prevention and third-party verification during procurement processes. As awareness of Hygienically Clean certification grows, certification is becoming an increasingly important differentiator and, in some cases, an expected qualification for healthcare linen, uniform and facility services providers. For operators serving healthcare customers, certification provides an independent way to demonstrate that documented processes and quality controls are in place and consistently followed.

Takeaway 2: Operational Excellence is the Real Return on Investment

While the certification itself carries value in the marketplace, panelists emphasized that the greatest benefit comes from the quality management systems developed to achieve and maintain certification. The process drives stronger documentation, standardized procedures, employee training and accountability throughout the operation. These improvements often extend across the entire plant, benefiting all customer segments, not just healthcare accounts.

Takeaway 3: Independent Verification builds Customer Confidence

A key theme throughout the discussion was the importance of third-party validation. Hygienically Clean certification combines documented standards with onsite audits and ongoing microbiological testing to verify that laundries are consistently meeting established requirements. For healthcare customers, this independent verification provides greater confidence that quality and infection-prevention practices are being maintained rather than simply promised.

Takeaway 4: Audits Create Opportunities for Continuous Improvement

Panelists described the audit process not as a pass-fail exercise, but as an opportunity to uncover risks, strengthen procedures and identify areas for improvement. Independent reviews frequently reveal gaps in documentation, compliance programs or operating practices that might otherwise go unnoticed. By addressing findings and corrective actions, operators can improve consistency, reduce risk and strengthen overall performance.

Takeaway 5: Communicating Certification’s Value is Just as Important as Earning It

The discussion concluded with a focus on sales and customer education. Panelists noted that many operators invest significant effort to achieve certification but do n’t fully leverage it in customer conversations, facility tours and RFP responses. The most successful providers are translating certification into language that resonates with healthcare decisionmakers by emphasizing safety, accountability, process control and independently verified results.

The panel’s message was clear: Hygienically Clean certification is evolving from a quality assurance program into a strategic business tool. By combining rigorous standards, third-party verification and continuous improvement, certified healthcare laundries are strengthening operations, enhancing customer trust and positioning themselves more competitively in an increasingly demanding healthcare marketplace.