JULY 2014
Late News Clean execs select general contractor, open booth sales ATLANTA — The Clean Executive Committee has selected Shepard Exposition Services to serve as general contractor for Clean 2015, reports the show’s management company, Riddle & Associates. John Riddle, president of Riddle & Associates, praised the firm for its work on Clean 2011, Las Vegas. “We were pleased with their unique concierge program that gave individual attention to the needs of each exhibitor, and we look forward to repeating this success for Clean 2015,” says Riddle. Clean 2015 booth sales opened recently to Clean 2013 exhibitors, and are “off to a good start,” according to Riddle & Associates. The management company adds that for the first time in the show’s history, exhibitors can electronically submit their exhibit space application and deposit online. The biennial trade show, officially titled the World Educational Congress for Laundering and Drycleaning, was recently named 112th among 2013 TSNN’s Top 250 Trade Shows, attracting more than 10,000 people across all segments of the laundry and drycleaning industry, and featuring more than 400 companies exhibiting their products and services, says Riddle & Associates. The Clean Show is sponsored jointly by five national industry associations. ALN
Volume 40, Number 7
Benchmarking strategies help laundry/linen managers reach goals for production, costs BY THERESA BOEHL, EDITOR CHICAGO — A lot of effort, energy and resources goes into producing clean linen every day at laundries across the country. Keeping costs low and production high are always key goals, but how can laundry/linen operators be sure they’re meeting these goals? What’s the best way for them to know where they stand, and to use the information to improve operations? For those surveyed by American Laundry News, benchmarking is the clear answer. “Leading firms in whatever industry you’re in benchmark, whether you’re in manufacturing, or service or transportation,” says David Chadsey, managing director at LaundryConsulting.com. “If you want to be a leader in what you do and you want your company to thrive, you’re a company that benchmarks.” Glen Phillips, owner of international consulting and engineering firm Phillips & Associates, agrees that managers who want to be “at the best of their game” will need to have a firm understanding of the activity and production in their plants. “They will hardly ever be able to reach their goals if they don’t benchmark somehow,” he says.
(Photo: ©iStockphoto/Dražen Lovric´)
Though there may be some geographical or climate differences, many laundry operations in the U.S. are run in much the same way and are therefore in a perfect position to compare themselves to other similar businesses in the industry, according to Jim Doro, Textile Rental
See BENCHMARK on Page 6
Report: Linen efficiency campaign reduces use by 12% BY JOANNE BRASCH
LINEN EFFICIENCY CAMPAIGN
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The healthcare community at large continues to grapple with ways to reduce linen use and minimize losses as a means to lower costs. At the UC Davis Health System (UCDHS), the repeated discussion of how to improve linen conservation led to the creation of the Linen Task Force (LTF). The LTF began work in 2012 with the systemwide launch of its “Linen Efficiency Campaign.” Two years later, UCDHS has experienced a 12% reduction in average pounds of linen per adjusted patient day (APD), annualized to a $30,000 cost savings.
The LTF objective is to develop and implement linen/textile-related projects with a focus on cost savings and waste minimization. The composition of this task force is unique in that it represents leadership from various stakeholders in the health system, including managers of infection prevention, environmental services and distribution, as well as representation from clinical staff. Having these key decision-makers present for the project development process provides the support needed as the project rolls out. BASELINE ASSESSMENT
The initial baseline assessment involved surveying nurses in each
department to identify opportunities to improve the linen efficiency at UCDHS. As a result of the baseline assessment, the LTF recommended the following changes as part of a linen efficiency campaign: 1. Eliminate daily linen-change requirements. 2. Reduce use of incontinent pads and thermal blankets. 3. Refrain from bringing extra linen into patient rooms. 4. Promote proper hamper use, including adding a linenreject bag. INTRODUCTION OF A NEW LINEN POLICY
The first step of the campaign involved officially revising the linen-change policy from a man-
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INSIDE ALM Educational Conference
A report on last month’s gathering in Florida.
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Services Association (TRSA) chairman, and president and owner of Doritex Corp. Doing so can help businesses stay competitive in a tough economic climate.
datory daily change to a “change as needed” policy. The original policy did not outline the recommended bed linen composition and staff interviews suggested a general lack of consistency. The new policy clearly states the mandatory items for each bed, and the items, such as incontinence pads and thermal blankets, that were to be used when clinically necessary. This change was communicated clearly with all clinical staff through staff meetings, educational posters and regular updates with nurse managers and senior leadership. Bedside tent cards were made available to those departments interested in communicatSee 12% on Page 9
The Newspaper of Record for Laundry & Linen Management
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Panel of Experts
Keeping linens clean during storage and transport is essential.
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OPL 101: Measuring Operations for Success Bill Brooks: The right mix of strategy and technology can help operators set standards for better production.
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