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Congratulations to Newly Accredited Laundries!
The Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council announces the following laundries have achieved accreditation:
- Atlas Health Care Linen Services, Syracuse, NY
- ImageFIRST Healthcare Specialists, Medley, FL
- Athens Healthcare Laundry, Athens, GA
· Ecotex Healthcare Laundry Service, Tacoma, WA
· Logan's Healthcare Linen Systems, Shelbyville, KY
- MedClean, Villa Park, IL
· North Grand River Cooperative, Lansing, MI
· Hospital Services, Inc., Columbia, SC.
There are now 66 HLAC-accredited laundries nationwide.
HLAC's mission is to publish high standards for laundering healthcare textiles, and to provide an inspection and accreditation process that recognizes those laundries that meet these high standards.
The primary benefit of accreditation is that an independent third party has inspected your facility and found that it meets or exceeds the highest standards for processing healthcare textiles.
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The Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council is an independent organization committed to supporting the highest industry standards in processing healthcare textiles.
View or download the Standards at www.hlacnet.org or
call Kathy Tinker at
708-790-1749 for more information on how you can join the growing ranks of accredited laundries in the United States.
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HLAC Standards To Be Opened for Public Comment
HLAC will open its Standards for public comment from June 1 - July 31, 2009. The Standards were developed over three years ago with input from a wide range of authorities, healthcare professionals and trade industry experts.
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Update
Your Records
As of January 1, 2009
HLAC has a new mailing address. Be sure to let your accounting department know to update their records. For an HLAC W9 form, click here. |
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Accredited Laundry Website Hotlinks
HLAC will link from our website to yours. Be sure to let us know and we'll have our webmaster set it up. | |
Greetings!
If you are one of the 66 HLAC-accredited laundries in the nation, you already ascribe to the high standards set forth by HLAC. For all others, our goal is to encourage you to consider accreditation and become a part of this growing number. This newsletter is meant to inform, educate and engage all those who value high standards in the healthcare industry. |
HLAC Expands Healthcare Public Relations Campaign To Increase Awareness
In April 2006 HLAC accredited its very first laundry, Reino Linen in Gibsonburg, Ohio. Today, over 65 laundries are now accredited nationwide, and more continue to prepare.
With this growth, HLAC has stepped up its efforts to build increased awareness in the healthcare industry. Below are a couple of recent examples of how healthcare professionals are beginning to recognize and acknowledge the importance of standards in the healthcare laundry industry.
1) In the March issue of Healthcare Purchasing News, Dr. James Lehman, MD, MBA, FACP, FACPE authored an article entitled "Hospital Textiles Key to Efficiency and Infection Prevention." Dr. Lehman discusses the value and benefits of partnering with an accredited laundry to enhance infection prevention strategies. Click Here to View Article
2) In June, The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) holds its annual conference in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. An HLAC abstract and poster will be on display and HLAC will be on hand to highlight the integral role accredited laundries play in infection prevention strategies. More than 2,500 Infection Preventionists from 60 countries are expected to attend APIC 2009. www.apic.org
Accredited laundries bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to its healthcare customers. HLAC will continue to focus on building stronger public relations with the healthcare community. |
| Visit HLAC at Clean '09, Attend Education Session
 Clean '09 is set for June 18-21 in New Orleans and will be here before you know it. Mark your calendar now for HLAC's education session on, "Healthcare Laundry Accreditation: Why and How,"
Friday, June 19, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Four reasons to attend:
1) Learn how and why HLAC was formed.
2) Meet an Infection Control Professional to hear how accreditation aligns with customers' infection control policies and programs.
3) Learn the operational benefits from an accredited laundry operator.
4) Ask an HLAC Inspector your questions about what to expect.
Visit HLAC on the show floor too, Booth #1228. We look forward to seeing you there!
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ARTA Cordially Invites You to their Clean Show '09 Breakfast The American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA) invites HLAC friends to its Clean Show Breakfast, June 19, 6:30 a.m., Hampton Inn; Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the door. RSVP to ARTA Executive Director, Nancy Jenkins. Mail checks to ARTA, PO Box 1142, Mission, KS 66222. www.arta1.com
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HLAC Launches Two New Value-Added Programs for Accredited Laundries
1) This year, HLAC announced the formation of an Advisory Committee. HLAC is pleased to announce that accredited laundries can participate at no charge for their first year on the Committee.
2) Due to popular demand, HLAC will expand its Healthcare Direct Mail Program to all accredited laundries. In the past, only newly accredited laundries could take advantage of this valuable sales and marketing tool. Now all accredited laundries can participate no matter when you achieved accreditation.
For more information about these programs, contact Kathy Tinker, 708-790-1749. | |
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The Inspector's Corner:
Documents Requirement
Tips to help you understand HLAC standards.
When preparing for an HLAC inspection, having well organized documents can help the process go smoothly on inspection day. Here are some tips from our inspectors.
- Create a binder and insert samples of the documents for each requirement.
- Organize documents in the same order as the Standards.
- Use tabs to organize the book.
- Mark all the tabs with the corresponding Standard, for example, "Part I, 2.3.2."
- Have examples that are filled out, inspectors need to see actual documents, not blank templates.
- Seek assistance from vendors, trade associations, OSHA, and others for templates or examples
- Insure documents are up to date. Placing dates on documents and policies will show the inspector they have been reviewed and are current.
- Have quick access to additional back-up documents, for example specific files that contain an employee's training record.
Note: Inspectors never remove documents from your site. |
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HLAC to Present at TRSA/UTSA Production Management Institute
For the third year in a row, HLAC has been invited back to the TRSA/UTSA Production Management Instutute (PMI). The 2-hour HLAC session to be presented to third-year students will include why and how HLAC was formed, the unique challenges of healthcare textile processing, an overview of the Standards, and more.
The objective of PMI is to further enhance and develop production managers in the laundry industry with a six-day course that is comprised of educational sessions, plant tours, meetings and more. www.trsa.org |
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HLAC Fact Sheets Available For Order
HLAC's Fact Sheet is the perfect promotional piece to accompany your customer or prospect
communications. It provides an informative and comprehensive overview of HLAC. This 2-sided, glossy brochure is available for purchase (shipping additional)
25 Copies: $10 50: $15 100: $25
Over 100, Contact HLAC for Pricing | |
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