Infection Control Today, a leading infection prevention publication, recently reported on OSHA compliance by healthcare laundry service providers in an article titled "Imperatives for Staying OSHA-Compliant in the Healthcare Laundry." Mishandling of laundry services, such as during a recent incident in a NY-based laundry facility that compromised the health and safety of its employees, can have damaging and even fatal consequences, while adhering to OSHA imperatives for the handling of contaminated laundry can do much to prevent healthcare-acquired infections. ImageFIRST New York has shared this article amongst its associates and clients alike to help demonstrate the importance of handling healthcare laundry in a fully compliant, responsible manner.

In ImageFIRST's AssuranceFIRST philosophy, in just one aspect of their 5-point Product Quality system the company promises clients to always focus on even the smallest details of the laundry quality in order to provide remarkable product and customer care. The mishandling of laundry at the New York facility was resultant from one such "tiny detail," in which the replacement of sturdy laundry bags with cheaper, thinner versions ended in the risk of employee and patient exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Other crucial OSHA guidelines were also ignored at the facility.

ImageFIRST New York, an OSHA-compliant healthcare laundry service, follows the regulations outlined in the Infection Control Today article, which include bagging laundry on-site in a clearly-labeled, leak-proof container, marked with a label that is readily understood by all laundry handlers (such as a biohazard symbol or bright red text), and limiting employee exposure to unbagged laundry and even laundry containers, to reduce the risk of accidental exposure. Above all, the company prioritizes upholding a culture of safety, which prioritizes employee and patient health above all other goals.

For more information on the OSHA-compliant practices of ImageFIRST New York, including but not limited to the company's unique Triple BioShield Protection process, in which up to 99.999% of biocontaminants are killed so that each linen or gown is sanitized, visit http://newyork.imagefirst.com. 

For more information about ImageFIRST New York, please visit http://newyork.imagefirst.com.