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Hi Yvonne,
AS 4146:2024 is a laundry practice standard covering handling, laundering, storage and transport of textiles and includes guidance on sorting, thermal/chemical disinfection, drying and storage. In regards to washing frequencies it allows facilities to set local laundry policy based on risk, without providing a 24hr rule to washing.
Aged-Care IPC Guide and the Australian IPC Guidlines expect laundry and linen handling to follow the relevant laundry standard and to be governed by local risk assessment and policy — e.g. outbreak situations or contamination with body products – vomit / urine/ faeces / wound exudate require infectious handling and immediate laundering.
Best pactice: Towels that are visibly soiled, contaminated with bodily fluids, or that remain damp between uses must be laundered immediately. Towels used by a single resident may be reused provided they dry between uses and are laundered according to facility schedule and AS 4146:2024 requirements.
References:
AS 4146:2024 Laundry practice -https://store.standards.org.au/product/as-4146-2024?amp%3Bamp%3Butm_campaign=standards-catalogue&%3Bamp%3Butm_medium=referral&utm_
Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare-https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/infection-prevention-and-control/australian-guidelines-prevention-and-control-infection-healthcare
The Aged Care IPC Guide – safetyandquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-08/The-Aged-Care-Infection-Prevention-and-Control-Guide.pdf
A Healthy Environment- https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/staying-healthy-guidelines/healthy-environment?utm_
Regards Carrie