Care Home Laundry Audit & Procurement

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 In 2013 the Department of Health and Social care issued the Health Technical Memorandum (HTM 01-04) : guidance about decontaminating linen used in health and social care. This supersedes the Choice Framework for local Policy and Procedures and provides up-to-date evidence-based guidance on the decontamination of linen for health and social care.

These new comprehensive guidelines are divided into four individual memoranda which cover all aspects of linen processing. 

Decontamination of linen for health and social care: 

• Management and provision
• Engineering, equipment and validation
• Social care
• Guidance for linen processors implementing BS EN 14065.

The Health Act Code of Practice recommends that healthcare organisations comply with guidance establishing Essential Quality Requirements (EQR) and demonstrate that a plan is in place for progression to Best Practice (BP)

Essential Quality Requirements (EQR), for the purposes of this best practice guidance, is a term that encompasses all existing statutory and regulatory requirements. They will help to demonstrate that an acute provider operates safely with respect to its decontamination services.

Best Practice (BP) is additional to the EQR. Best Practice as defined in this guidance covers nonmandatory policies and procedures that aim to further minimise risks to patients; deliver better patient outcomes; promote and encourage innovation and choice; and achieve cost efficiencies.