Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council

HLAC OPENS PUBLIC COMMENT ON ACCREDITATION STANDARDS

Industry professionals invited to submit comments between June 1 - July 31

FRANKFORT, IL, 4/15/09 — The Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC) has opened its accreditation standards for public comment June 1 to July 31. The standards document entitled, “Accreditation Standards for Processing Reusable Textiles for Use In Healthcare Facilities,” was first published in April 2006 and can be viewed and downloaded at www.hlacnet.org. All professionals who serve the healthcare market or use healthcare textiles are encouraged to comment on HLAC’s standards. All comments should be submitted online at www.hlacnet.org.

HLAC standards were developed more than three years ago with input from a wide range of authorities — governmental agencies, industry trade associations, laundry owners and operators, users of healthcare textiles and others serving the healthcare industry. The standards cover the complete textile processing cycle from handling and transporting soiled healthcare textiles to in-plant processing and delivery back to customers. The standards also cover many basic considerations such as facility layout, employee training, customer service and exposure to bloodborne pathogens.

About HLAC

HLAC is an independent organization and the only industry group that inspects and accredits healthcare textile processors. Opening its standards for public comment underscores HLAC’s commitment to accredit laundries that meet the highest industry standards. The public comment period allows HLAC to continue to gather and integrate best practices, governmental regulations, infection control strategies and industry recommendations into its standards.

HLAC was founded in 2005 and its accreditation process was developed by many industry groups, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. More information on HLAC is located on its website at www.hlacnet.org.

For more information about HLAC accreditation, visit www.hlacnet.org or contact HLAC Executive Director Kathy Tinker at kathytinker@sbcglobal.net.

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Media Contact: Nancy Jenkins @ 913/432-6177 or nancy@jenkinsim.com