Quality Control in Linen and Laundry Service at A Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in India

Abstract

Introduction: The clean bedding and clean clothes installs psychological confidence in the patients and the public and
enhances their faith in the services rendered by the hospital. Being an important Component in the management of the patients,
a study was carried out to find out the current quality status and its conformity with the known standards and identify the areas
of intervention in order to further increase the patient and staff satisfaction regarding the services provided by linen and laundry
department
Methods: Quality control practised in the Linen and Laundry Service was studied by conducting a prospective study on the
concept of Donabedian model of structure, process and outcome. Study was done by pre-designed Proforma along with
observation / Interviews / Questionnaire and study of records. The input studied included physical facilities, manpower,
materials, equipments and environmental factors. The various elements of manpower studied consisted of number of staff
working, their qualification, training, promotion avenues, motivation and job satisfaction. Process was studied by carrying out
observations in linen and laundry service through a predesigned flow chart which was supplemented by interviews with different
category of staff. Patient satisfaction, staff satisfaction and microbial count of laundered linen (quality dimensions) were studied
in the outcome.
Results: The current study found that in spite of certain deficiencies in the equipment, manpower and process, the linen and
laundry service is providing a satisfactory service to its users. However the services can be further improved by removing the
present deficiencies both at structure and process level.
Keywords: Linen and laundry service, Hospital linen, physical facilities, Quality control.
Singh, D., Qadri, G., Kotwal, M., Syed, A., & Jan, F. (2009). Quality Control in Linen and Laundry Service at A Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in India. International Journal of Health Sciences, 3(1). Retrieved from https://pub.qu.edu.sa/index.php/journal/article/view/30
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