| Staining
Problem
|
I'd like to have some advice on a staining
problem I'm having. The stains are on OR GREENS (operating rooms,
green sheets) they look to be greasy looking stains.
Anyone had a similar type of problem and found a fix, either with
the wash program and/or chemicals?
Thanks. |
We
received 2 answers:
Answer 1: In responce to your question
regarding grease stains on O.R. greens. It is the experience of
our Specialists that these stains are either mineral oil or fatty
deposits from the operating room. Generally these problems become
more prevalent with the new 100% polyester barrier linens or treated
surgical linens that resist blood strike-through. The treatment
on these linens is oleophilic (oil-loving) which makes the removal
of oily soils more difficult. Ecolab has a product called Terposol
Ultra that has a non-petroleum based solvent and detergent that
aids in the safe removal of these oily spots from OR linens.
I'd be happy to ask one of our specialists to visit your facility
to see if we can resolve your particular problem. Please E-mail
me with your facility location and phone number, or you can contact
me at
Ecolab Inc., Textile Care Division
370 N. Wabasha Street, St. Paul MN 55102
phone: (612) 293-2610 fax: (612) 225-3185
Sincerely,
Steven J. Tinker
Director, Marketing
|
| Answer
2: Saw these stains frequently. They are the result
of Surgical Solution containing Iodophor, IPA, and a polymer used
as a skin prep in OR. Removal in washing with solvent emulcifier
such as NDT Power Solv, or NDT Solvate. Specifically, reference
3M DuraPrep surgical solution.
Frank Kappler
Gurtler Chemicals Inc.
|
| Soiled
weight versus Clean weight |
|
What is a good industry standard for soiled weight vs. clean
weight in terms of percentage of poundage higher as soiled. I've
been told as low as 6% and as high as 10 - 11%
I work in a health care setting so what would be the situations
that might make this be off 3 - 4 % from one hospital to the next?
Thanks,
David L Lindsay
Regional Director of Environmental Services/Linen Services
Franciscan Health System
Tacoma, WA
davidlindsay@chiwest.com
|
| Answer:
David, Thank you for your excellent question. Comparisons'
relating to soil vs. clean linen weight has always been a controversial
issue. Many factors should be taken into account when determining
an appropriate soil / clean analysis:
- Amount of garbage in your soil linen (disposable chucks,
paper, etc.)
- Types of patients (high elderly incontinent patient
population).
- Teaching facility performing heaving surgical procedures
such as open heart, hip replacement, OB, utilizing reusable
surgical linens?
- Community Hospital with few surgical procedures?
- Surgical procedures using a majority of disposables?
- Use of resuable adult underpads and/or diapers vs.
disposables
|
Soil weight factors range from 5% to 12% depending on your type
of facility. If you start with 5% as an average, add ½
% for heavy garbage, ½ % for heavy mix of elderly patients,
2% for a teaching facility utilizing reusable O.R. linens, and
2% for use of adult underpads. Of course these calculations are
"rule of thumb". Why not take 5 carts of soiled linen
(with an average hospital mix), and then weigh the contents; remove
garbage, launder goods, and finally re-weigh to achieve an average
for your institution.
Sincerely,
Ron Weinstein
|
| Operating
Room Tape |
|
How do you ever get old Operating Room tape off the linen successfully?
Can a dry-cleaning process remove it?
Thanks, Carlos Marroquin
|
| We received
2 answers
Answer 1: Carlos,
While visiting Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, N.Y., I
observed a very simple but effective procedure. They positioned
the old tabe over a Thermopatch machine and heated the area up
for 15 seconds. The operator used a balled up wad of tape and
briskly rubbed off the old tape. It worked well. If you have any
questions, contact Maria in the linen department at Good Samaritan
(516) 376-3000 ext #3179.
Anyone else have any methods of removing old tape?
Sincerely,
Ron Weinstein
|
| Answer
2:
One of the best way that I find out to remove tape out of the
linen is the use of varsol which is a petroleum base component.
Just spray into the affected area and let set for 1 minute and
pull off.
Holmer Shaik
|
|
 |
| Chlorine
& Oxygen Bleach Usage: |
| Will you tell me the exact usage of Chlorine &
Oxygen bleach on a 90 kg commercial laundry washing table linen,
towels and bedsheets. How it is used, on what type of stains,
right temperature of dosing, contact time.
if possible a suggestive Washing programme.Thanks and waiting
to make myself clear about the above.
Kumar |
| Answer: Kumar,
Chlorine Bleach is recommended for most laundries with white terry
and sheets, use this type of bleach at 150 parts per million.
Chlorine bleach is sold as Sodium Hypochlorite, Clorox or equivalent.
Most bleach sold in retail operations costs 89 cents per gallon
and is 5 1/2 percent concentration. Commercially it can be purchased
at strengths up to 15%. pricing varies considerably at this strength
from 50 cents per gallon to $10.00 per gallon. A good easy and
economical source would be a pool supply store. Test strips are
available from Hach Supply to measure sodium hypochlorite in parts
per million. Depending on your water level approximately 4 ounces
per load should be sufficient if used in a relatively low alkali
environment.
Oxygen Bleach (hydrogen peroxide) H2O2 is great for colored linens.
The cost is higher and must be used in the presence of hot water
(about 160 degrees F). Oxygen Bleach is not as effective as inorganic
hypochlorite bleaches in removing the more tenacious types of
stains when both kinds are used at comparable concentrations.
Great Question, one of the fundamental components of Washing!
I would love to get more detailed
Michael Schulte and Associates
Laundry Chemical Consulting Saint Paul, Minnesota
612-646-6000 |
| Negative
Effects of Ozone: |
|
What are the negative aspects of ozone?
Thanks,
Rodney
|
| We received 3 answers:
Answer 1: Since ozone is
a great oxidizer/disinfectant, it is very effective on organic
material in a destructive way. Ozone should be used with caution
because materials used in textiles are organic in nature and will
be destroyed/weakened if kept in contact with ozone for any length
of time.
Jack Reiff
President, Wet-Tech
|
| Answer 2: The negative
aspects of ozone systems don't derive from the application of
ozone in a properly engineered system, rather the negative aspects
stem from systems that are improperly designed and/or improperly
implemented and/or improperly supported. While there can be a
number of factors leading to an improper application, the problems
arise primarily from the addition of ozone to the laundry process
without the appropriate dosage control and/or without adequately
dissolving the ozone in the water prior to injection into the
wash wheel. Ozone in gas phase is a dramatically more caustic
substance than ozone that is dissolved in water. The negative
ramifications of not predissolving the ozone and/or not controlling
the dosage can lead to excess gas phase ozone which translates
to potential ozone off gas into the laundry room. It is also imperative
that the customer has a way of determining that the system is
in proper working order and is generating the desired levels of
dissolved ozone and/or oxidation potential within the water supply.
Use of an ORP Monitor gives a digital readout of the oxidation
potential of the water supply at all times. The application of
an ozone system without an ORP control would be like having a
hot water system without a thermostat. Predictable results would
be impossible. There are companies that strive to deliver a quality
product with professional support and those that chase the quick
sale and quick buck. Taking the time to differentiate between
the two will optimize your ozone experience.
Jim Konides
President, IndustrOzone Technologies, L.C.
|
Answer 3:
If ozone leaks it can cause respiratory problems in humans. Off
gas is a byproduct of the water not consuming the ozone. If you
blast clean water with ozone you'll have off gas because the ozone
will not be consumed by contaminants in the water. One way to get
around off gas is to capture the off gas and reuse it by re-circulating
it back into the water. You should also use a Dissolved Ozone Analyzer
that will shut your ozone generator off when the need is met. When
you can analyze the amount of ozone in the wash water and adjust
that amount to treat the demand that your soil is producing you
won't have that problem.
Mike Jennings
Director of Operations, Nutech-03
|
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