( linen that has been used by a patient who is known or suspected to
be nfectious and/or linen that is contaminated with blood and/or
other body fluids e.g. feces ).
1. Practice hand hygiene before application and after removal of
PPE.
2. Wear tear-resistant reusable rubber gloves when handling
soiled linens.
3. If there is risk of splashing, for example, if laundry is
heavily soiled with blood (e.g in OTs etc), secretions,
excretion, staff collecting linen should always wear gowns
or aprons and face protection (e.g.
face shield, goggles) when handling soiled linens.
4. If there is any solid excrement on the linen, such as feces
or vomit, scrape it off carefully with a flat, firm object
and put it in the commode or designated toilet/latrine
before putting linen in the designated
container.
5. Place soiled linen directly into a clearly labeled,
leak-proof container (e.g yellow bag) in the patient care
area. Do not transport by hand outside the specific patient
care area from where it was removed.
6. Carefully roll up soiled linen to prevent contamination of
the air, surfaces, and cleaning staff.
7. Do not rinse, shake or sort linen on removal.
8. Do not overfill leak proof bag.
9. Do not place inappropriate items in the laundry receptacle
e.g. used equipment/needles.
10. Store all used/infectious linen in a designated, safe area
awaiting transfer to laundry.
11. All linen used for a person with confirmed, probable or
suspected COVID-19 infection should be managed as for
heavily soiled linen.