This document outlines the standard operating procedures and functions of the linen and laundry department of a large multi-specialty hospital. It discusses how the laundry service is responsible for providing an adequate and clean supply of linen to all users on a daily basis. The objectives of the department are to provide clean linen free of dirt and stains, monitor controls to prevent spoilage and increase the life of linen, and maintain efficiency. The key functions are collecting soiled linen, sorting, inspecting and repairing, distributing clean linen, and maintaining records. Detailed standard operating procedures are provided for receiving soiled linen, sorting, stain removal, washing, drying, repairing, folding, distribution and storage.

1. Dr. Meera Suvarna ,
Nidhi Thacker
SOPS AND FUNCTIONS
OF LINEN AND
LAUNDRY DEPT. OF
LARGE
MULTISPECIALTY
HOSPITAL

2. Introduction
• Laundry service is responsible for providing an adequate, clean and
constant supply of linen to all users. A reliable laundry service is of
utmost importance to the hospital. In today’s medical care facilities,
patients expect linen to be changed daily.
An adequate supply of clean linen is sufficient for the comfort and
safety of the patient thus becomes essential. The main purpose of this
department is to provide clean material to the patients and ensure
that hygienic conditions are maintained in the process.

3. Objectives
1. To provide linen free of dirt, soils and stains to all User
Departments.
2. To monitor and enforce controls necessary to prevent spoilage
(wear & tear due to washing) of linen and reduce the frequency of
linen turn over by increasing their life period.
3. To maintain record of effectiveness of cleaning, disinfecting and
turnover.
4. To increase efficiency, economy, accuracy and provision of better
patient care.
5. To develop a cost effective program by cost analysis of personnel,
supplies and equipment.

4. Function
1. Collecting soiled linen from various places.
2. Sorting the linen and processing them.
3. Inspecting and repairing or replacing damaged materials.
4. Distributing clean linen to the respective user departments.
5. Maintaining different types of registers

5. SOP
• Receipt of Dirty Linen
• Each linen should have an identity of its own. The proposed identity
for the Linen is as follows:
 Name of the Organisation : ABC Hospital
 Name or No. of the Ward/ Room : Ortho II or 6
 Name of the Material : BS (Bedsheet), PG (Patient Gown), DS
(Draw Sheet), PC (Pillow Case), etc,.
 Number of the Linen: 1 to …..

6. • Sorting of Linen:
The linen after collected from the different wards has to be sorted
out in the Laundry. The Soiled, stained and normal dirty linen have to
be sorted out.
• Removal of Soils/ Stains:
It is recommended that 4 gms of bleaching powder for every liter of
hot water(20 – 43 C) and dipping the clothes for at least 20 minutes is
recommended for removal of Soils and stains
• The persons handling the soiled/stained linen should use a thick
rubber gloves that can tolerate Bleach and Luke Warm water.
• Washing:
Hot water (20 – 43 C) is recommended for using in washing machines.
This can act as an disinfecting agent too. The time of linen in the
washing machine depends on different types of linen. Usually it is
recommended for 30 minutes in the mode of strong wash.

7. • Water Extractors & Dryers
The washed linen is put in the water extractors for 3 – 5 minutes and
then sent to dryers for drying.
• Sorting of torn linen for tailoring
After drying, the linen is checked for wear and tears. The torn clothes
should be sent for mending/ tailoring. If the linen is out of the scope of
mending, then the condemnation committee should condemn it.
• The Condemnation Committee should consist of the following
members.
1. Laundry Supervisor
2. Tailor
3. Store Officer
4. Responsible person from the User Department.

8. • Folding and Pressing
A pressing machine that can generate its own steam is recommended.
This can help in saving the electricity and wastage of steam while
traveling a long distance. Now a days, the systems that are self
dependent are preferred to save the costs.
• Distribution
The finished goods are to be stored in the clean storage area before
distribution. The clean linen should be checked for quantity before
delivery. Then the linen should be distributed to different
Departments in a separate trolley which are not used for collection.

9. LINEN DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
•Centralized distribution service
Clean for dirty
Topping up
Exchange trolley system
Pack system
•Decentralized linen service
•Mixed linen service

10. STORAGE SYSTEM
•The storage system should be designed as to
enable items to be stored at least
8 inches from the floor,
2 inches from the outside walls and
At least 18 inches from ceiling fixtures.

11. DOCUMENTS TO BE MAINTAINED
1. Instruction manual for all the equipment.
2. Records of all preventive maintenance,
calibration and repairs of equipment.
3. Load Records including contents of each
load, initials of the operator, equipment
number or other identification and the date and
time of cycle.

12. Laundry capacity and load
•American standard:
An average of 6.8 kg per bed per day plus 11.3 kg for
each operation or delivery
•British standard:
60 articles per bed per week at 0.39 kg per article
•Indian standard:
 2 to 5 kg per bed per day

13. List Of Equipment's
•Double door Washing machine
•Hydro extractor
•Drying Tumbler
•Calendaring Machine
•Flat bed Steam Press
•Dry-cleaning Machine
•Boiler
•Hand Press
•Rolling Table
•Ironing Table
•Automated Loading Unloading Washer

14. List Of Equipment's
•Dry linen trolley
•Wet linen trolley
•Distribution trolley
•Motorized sewing machine
•Air compressor

15. Activity Flowchart

16. Conclusion
•Thus, laundry and linen service plays a
very important role in maintaining and
safeguarding the health and hygiene of
both the inpatient and medical staff. The
quality and standard of this service
determines in a large measure, the quality
of any health care system.

17. Thank you !!!!