Standards Interpretations
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Please review HLAC's Accreditation Standard Interpretations. These documents, consisting of letters or memos, address public and field office inquiries about the interpretation and enforcement of specific aspects or terminology in HLAC standards.
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HLAC Accreditation Standards FAQs
Part I
Part I, 5.2.2 & 5.2.3
We would like to replace the stainless steel plating in front of the large piece FWI, blanket blasters and towel folders with an epoxy floor covering that is advertised to be acceptable in a healthcare setting. I am attaching the literature on the Duraflex flooring.
According to the standards, Part I section 5.2.2 outlines that all surfaces, including flooring in areas where healthcare textiles are processed or stored, must be made of materials that are non-porous, smooth, and easily disinfectable. Both stainless steel and hospital-grade epoxy flooring meet these criteria, as they are designed to withstand regular cleaning and disinfection protocols, making them suitable for healthcare environments.
Part I, 5.2.2 & 5.2.3
I have several locations that have had requests by IP nurses to vent the plastic covers used over carts/hampers to prevent condensation/mold. Debra Hurst was inspecting one of these locations and said this was a fail. I do understand the necessity to protect the linen in transport, but we are struggling with providing great customer service, especially in hotter climates and in summer months. Is there any flexibility in this requirement such as having perforations perhaps on the side of the cart, away from the linen?
Unfortunately, there is no flexibility in this requirement as it stands. There is just too great of risk of contaminating the linen. However, the Standards Committee has discussed potential solutions.
Part I, 2.1.2.1
I have several locations that have had requests by IP nurses to vent the plastic covers used over carts/hampers to prevent condensation/mold. Debra Hurst was inspecting one of these locations and said this was a fail. I do understand the necessity to protect the linen in transport, but we are struggling with providing great customer service, especially in hotter climates and in summer months. Is there any flexibility in this requirement such as having perforations perhaps on the side of the cart, away from the linen?
Air curtains typically do not impact the relative air pressure between soil and clean. They typically push air down and when it hits the ground it swirls and can create air moving in multiple directions. You can add air curtains, but if the relative air pressure is higher in soil, the air will find another opening to move to the clean side. It may stop air from moving to the clean side at that opening, but only lower relative pressure will keep it from moving to the clean side at all openings.In order to test relative air pressure, some inspectors will request that the air curtains be turned off so the relative air pressure can be evaluated.If you have positive air pressure in clean relative to soil, you can accomplish functional separation without a barrier (2.1.2.1.2).
Part II
Part II, Section 7.4.2.2.
After a review by the HLAC Standards Committee, it was determined that while the requirement for a tuberculocidal disinfectant remains essential, facilities should have the option to use other disinfectants that meet HLAC’s stringent hygiene standards.
To provide this flexibility, the following language has been added to Part II, Section 7.4.2.2:
“Should the interior surfaces of the cargo area become contaminated with blood or OPIM, these surfaces must be decontaminated, cleaned with a detergent and water, and disinfected with a hospital-grade disinfectant labeled as tuberculocidal and used according to label instructions. Alternatively, disinfectants that meet the requirements of HLAC Part I, Section 2.2.2.4, may be used. (CDC HICPAC GL EIC, 2019; ANSI/AAMI ST79:2017; Std. 11.3.5)”
The added language—”Alternatively, disinfectants that meet the requirements of HLAC Part I, Section 2.2.2.4, may be used.”—allows facilities more flexibility in their choice of disinfectants while ensuring compliance with HLAC’s hygiene and infection control standards.
Part III
Part IV
Part IV 2.2.2
Are we accepting Quarterly results to start things off or do they need 3 consecutive months and then quarterly?
Are we accepting Quarterly results to start things off or do they need 3 consecutive months and then quarterly?
Part IV 2.2.2
Does quarterly mean every 3 months, or is it acceptable to have samples from Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4?Does quarterly mean every 3 months, or is it acceptable to have samples from Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4?
This is not specified in the standards and therefore open to interpretation by the facility. I believe that either way, every 3 months by quarter, would be accepted as long as the rationale behind it was solid.
Part IV 2.2.2
For initial HLAC certification: 1) submit a minimum of two (2) and a maximum of five (5) random textile samples to the identified laboratory every month for three consecutive (3) months). 2) Six (6) passing test results. I have a question about the sampling/testing. The six test results required for certification refer to two unique textile samples (minimum) tested each month for aerobic count, and yeast and mold count. In addition, two unique textile samples should be tested for USP 62. That’s a total of eight samples tested for the three months. Is that correct?
1 USP test submission should include two separate lines of products and is actually two tests. Which means a laundry should have:Min of 2 & max of 5 every month for (3) consecutive months for (microbial counts, yeast, mold) 1 USP 62 test
Part IV 2.5.5
Does the “date” correspond with the dte the sample was sent, or the date the results were given. It’s possible if a sample is taken near the end of a month, the results could fall into the following month and/or quarter.
Again, this is not specified in the standard. My thought was always that the date the sample was pulled made most sense however I would say to pick which way you want to do it, be prepared to explain the rationale behind it, and be consistent.
Part IV 2.5.5
Why the “same 2 samples” if only one of them failed?
Only the failed sample needs to be retested, not both items that were sent.
Part IV 3.1.2
What are “facility Risk Analysis Forms”?
HERE is an example along with a remediation policy that meets the standards. The risk analysis form should be a standard document created to evaluate why there was a failure. Similar to an accident investigation form that you would have for your safety programs, this document helps ensure that supervisors thoroughly examine the root cause of why a sample failed and implement corrective actions to prevent future failure.
General
Is there any information on which type of soil bags should be used for the dirty linen?
HLAC standards emphasize functional separation as a key principle in maintaining the hygienic state of healthcare linens. Proper containment of soiled textiles is essential to prevent cross-contamination and ensure the safety of those handling them. Specifically, HLAC Part II, Section 7.4.2.1 highlights the importance of proper containment to maintain the hygienic state of soiled linen during handling and transport.
Are fungal cultures required along with regular biological cx’s? as part of best practices?
HLAC accreditation does not require any cultures or process verification testing as part of its standards. However, HLAC does offer Certified Hygienic Testing, which evaluates the outcome of the laundry process. While this testing includes RODAC testing for bacteria, yeast, and mold, it does not specifically require fungal cultures.Additionally, USP 62 testing is sometimes utilized, but it is focused on bacterial detection rather than fungal cultures.If you are considering best practices beyond HLAC requirements, your approach to testing should align with your facility’s risk assessment, infection prevention protocols, and any applicable regulatory or customer-driven requirements. While fungal cultures are not mandated, facilities with heightened infection control concerns may choose to include them as part of a broader quality assurance program.
Can we have an industrial ceiling fan on the cleaning side of operations, to push down the heated air in the winter? Because our building has a high ceiling the heated air goes up and the working level keeps cold, as we are in Saskatchewan and the winters are considerably cold, this could help us keep the working level more comfortable for the team.
The HLAC Standards do not prohibit the use of ceiling fans. In fact, many laundries—particularly in hot or cold climates—use ceiling or destratification fans to help maintain a more hospitable working environment. Their use is acceptable as long as the fans do not introduce contamination risk. Facilities should ensure: Fans are kept reasonably clean and free of lint buildup as part of normal housekeeping practices. Air movement from fans does not disrupt airflow balance or cause re-entrainment of dust or lint into clean linen areas.As always, the priority is to maintain environmental conditions that protect the hygienic handling of clean textiles.
