Risk Management in Hospital Laundry and Sterilization Systems : Development Strategies for Enhancing Safety in Provincial Hospitals
Keywords:
Infection control, , Hospital laundry system, , Risk management, , Provincial hospitals,, World Health Organization (WHO), , Health standardsAbstract
Introduction: Infection prevention and control (IPC) is a vital component of quality healthcare systems. Hospital linen and laundry services play a critical support role in reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), directly affecting the safety of patients and staff.
Objective: This study aimed to analyze and synthesize the risk management system in the laundering and sterilization processes in provincial hospitals in Thailand
Methodology: documentary analysis of both international and national sources.
Results: The content was categorized into five key areas: (1) the role and importance of laundering in infection control, (2) types of risks associated with laundering processes, (3) systemic problems and limitations, (4) relevant theories, standards, and practices in risk management, and (5) practical development strategies focusing on spatial organization, personnel training, appropriate technology, data recording, and continuous evaluation.
Conclusion: This article proposes a comprehensive approach aligned with WHO guidelines and Thailand's Ministry of Public Health to enhance the quality and safety of hospital laundry services in a sustainable manner.
References
กรมสนับสนุนบริการสุขภาพ. (2566). เกณฑ์คุณภาพระบบบริการซักฟอกในสถานพยาบาล. กระทรวงสาธารณสุข.
กรมอนามัย. (2562). แนวทางการซักล้างและฆ่าเชื้อผ้าในสถานพยาบาล. กระทรวงสาธารณสุข.
กรมอนามัย. (2565). คู่มือแนวทางการดำเนินงานซักฟอกผ้าสำหรับโรงพยาบาล. กระทรวงสาธารณสุข.
Apisarnthanarak, A., Khan, E., & Thongphubeth, K. (2017). Implementation of evidence-based infection control practices in a provincial hospital in Thailand. American Journal of Infection Control, 45(4), 419–423.
Bandung, A. (2023). Challenges in hospital linen management: A qualitative study in secondary hospitals in Southeast Asia. Asian Pacific Journal of Infection Control, 11(1), 23–30.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Guidelines for environmental infection control in healthcare facilities. https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/environmental/
Ishikawa, H., Yamada, S., & Takano, K. (2019). Advances in hospital laundry systems in Japan: Automation and safety improvements. Journal of Hospital Engineering, 7(2), 45–52.
Kunaratanapruk, S., & Silpapojakul, K. (1998). Nosocomial infections in provincial hospitals in Thailand. The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 29(2), 426–432.
National Health Service. (2020). Healthcare laundry arrangements for used and infected linen. NHS England.
Rutala, W. A., & Weber, D. J. (2016). Disinfection, sterilization, and antisepsis: An overview. American Journal of Infection Control, 44(5 Suppl), e1–e6.
Umscheid, C. A., Mitchell, M. D., Doshi, J. A., Agarwal, R., Williams, K., & Brennan, P. J. (2011). Estimating the proportion of healthcare-associated infections that are reasonably preventable and the related mortality and costs. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, 32(2), 101–114.
World Health Organization. (2016). Guidelines on core components of infection prevention and control programmes at the national and acute health care facility level. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241549929
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 VCHPK Health and Public Health Sciences Journal
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
