TRSA Shares Linen Management, Training Expertise at AHE Exchange26

The Aug. 17 session at AHE Exchange26, “Operational Excellence in Reusable Linen Management: What EVS Leaders Must Know,” drew more than 100 attendees to hear AHE Board Chair-Elect James Odom, MBA, CHESP, CMIP, T-CHEST, university director of buildings & grounds, facilities development & operations at UConn Health, moderate a discussion with TRSA member Dyan Troxel, MSN, RN, director of clinical education at HandCraft Linen Services and APIC member Jenna Rivers, MPH, CPH, CIC, infection preventionist at Moffitt Cancer Center.

The panel explored the key elements of a successful reusable linen program, emphasizing that effective linen management extends far beyond clean linen delivery and soiled linen collection. Panelists identified timely delivery, order accuracy, product quality, staff education, inventory management, and patient and caregiver safety as critical measures of success.

Troxel highlighted common challenges, including linen loss, red-bag misuse and limited staff education, while Rivers discussed how proper handling, storage and cross-department collaboration support patient safety and infection prevention. Reinforcing the importance of training, Odom emphasized that linen-management education should be treated as a distinct competency within EVS programs.

“In EVS, we live in the world of competencies,” Odom said. “Staff who handle and transport linen should have a dedicated linen-management competency that covers proper transportation, storage, handling practices, and management of soiled and biohazardous textiles.”

He added that organizations should maintain documentation demonstrating employees have been trained and assessed on these procedures.

The speakers also emphasized the importance of monitoring key metrics, including pounds per patient day, utilization trends and linen loss, to improve program performance. The discussion highlighted the role of safety, compliance and strong provider partnerships in achieving operational excellence. Rivers reviewed regulatory expectations and survey readiness, while Troxel explained the value of Hygienically Clean certification and quality-assurance processes. Odom stressed that successful linen programs are built on collaboration, transparency and accountability, encouraging organizations to conduct regular performance reviews and annual laundry facility visits.

Following the session, Odom, Troxel and Rivers met with Tori Whitacre Martinez, editor of Infection Control Today, to discuss key takeaways in a video interview that will be featured on the publication’s website and podcast in the coming weeks.

TRSA also staffed an exhibit booth promoting the Hygienically Clean certification program and educating EVS professionals about the benefits of Hygienically Clean-certified reusable healthcare textiles. Samlane Ketevong, TRSA’s senior director of certification and accreditation, emphasized the importance of engaging environmental services leaders and decision-makers to increase awareness of the program’s value.

“AHE Exchange brings together environmental services leaders who influence critical healthcare purchasing decisions,” Ketevong said. “By exhibiting, we can showcase the value of Hygienically Clean certification and reinforce the vital role reusable healthcare textiles play in infection prevention, patient care and operational excellence.”

On the final day, TRSA staff partnered with more than 20 industry professionals to deliver a 10-station EVS Skills Fair. Through interactive, gamified activities, attendees strengthened key EVS competencies and gained practical tools to enhance training, improve engagement and reinforce lasting behavior change.

“TRSA continues to focus on professional collaboration to support the advantages of strong partnerships necessary to successfully identify training that highlights the cleanliness, safety and sustainability of reusable healthcare linens, garments and scrubs,” said Joseph Ricci, TRSA president & CEO, who also attend the events in New Orleans. “By identifying, establishing and maintaining relations with senior staff and leaders at APIC and AHE, we are working together to create opportunities for information-sharing and training that creates a win-win for stakeholders including laundries and healthcare professionals.”