A healthcare-focused commercial laundry serving hospitals and healthcare facilities sought to further strengthen an already rigorous quality assurance program for reusable healthcare textiles.
Because certain textiles are packaged for sterile applications, even small amounts of lint, hair or other foreign debris can create quality concerns and disrupt healthcare operations. Maintaining confidence in textile quality is critical to supporting customer expectations and the processes that depend on those textiles.
To complement its existing quality assurance program, the laundry looked for additional ways to reduce the potential for foreign debris in the wash process and support its commitment to quality.
Customer Success Stories
Ecolab’s AquaBatch™ and AquaDrain™ Help COMTEX Laundry Protect Patient Safety
Textile Care Case Study
Situation
Solution
The laundry partnered with Ecolab to implement the AquaBatch™ and AquaDrain™ technologies on two tunnel washer systems.
Developed with Ecolab Textile Care expertise, the integrated solution helps capture and remove hair, lint and other debris from the wash process before those materials continue through the system.
- The AquaBatch technology draws water from the rinse zone, filters debris and recirculates treated water back into the wash process.
- The AquaDrain technology works in conjunction with AquaBatch to collect and remove debris captured during filtration, reducing the amount of organic material going to drain and in turn lowering effluent COD.
Together, the technologies provide another layer of support for quality-focused operations while helping improve visibility into wash-process conditions.
"You cannot jeopardize an entire service with one piece of lint."
— Myles Noel, CEO - COMTEX
Results
Following implementation, the laundry gained greater visibility into the debris being removed from the wash process, including lint, hair and other small materials that may otherwise have gone unnoticed.
According to a laundry leader, seeing the debris captured by the Ecolab technologies reinforced the value of adding another level of protection to the operation's quality processes. “The quantities were not large, but even small amounts of debris can matter when you’re focused on quality and consistency. The technologies gave us greater confidence in the process and reinforced the standards we work to maintain every day.”
The laundry also reported fewer concerns related to foreign debris on processed textiles following implementation.
“Concerns related to lint, hair and other foreign debris on finished textiles declined after the Ecolab technologies were installed.”
The organization also viewed the technologies as a valuable way to market its commitment to quality when discussing its capabilities with existing and prospective healthcare customers.
Healthcare facilities expect confidence in every aspect of a laundry program. Demonstrating a proactive approach to textile quality helps reinforce that commitment. “Our customers expect exceptional quality, and this technology supports that expectation. It provides another level of assurance that we are doing everything possible to deliver the quality and service they depend on.”
By incorporating AquaBatch and AquaDrain into its quality program, the laundry strengthened its approach to managing foreign debris while supporting consistent textile quality.
“Ecolab brought both the technology and the expertise to help us address an important operational challenge. The integrated solution enhanced our quality program and supported our quality objectives while helping us continue delivering the level of service our healthcare customers expect.”
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