As Needed Bed Change Linen Policy

1
As Needed Bed Change Linen Policy

• Team Members
• Mary Mathew, Curtis Pouncy, Carl Powell, and Bill
  Brown

2
Opportunity Statement

• Improve LUHS linen utilization as well as
  decrease our linen processing and replacement
  costs throughout the organization

3
Goal

• The Goal was to decrease Linen pounds per patient
  day by 6 pounds per patient.

4
Most likely causes identified

• Storing linens in patient rooms
• Using linens for inappropriate purposes, such as
  cleaning floors, etc.
• Red bagging linens
• And, throwing linens away.

5
Solutions Implemented

• Developed a conservation program at LUHS designed
  to help protect our natural resources by
  conserving water and exposing fewer chemicals
  into the environment
• Implemented a formal as needed bed change
  policy educated staff through an in-service
  program
• Educated patients using table tents in patient
  care areas

6
Solutions Implemented

• We conducted Linen awareness days to educate
  staff by asking them questions regarding linen
  usage in the Hospital, such as How many wash
  cloths do we buy each year? And How much does
  it cost to wash blankets every year?

7
Results Data Analysis
Pounds of Linen Per Patient Day
Pounds Per Patient Day Rate
We were able to reduce linen pounds per patient
day while maintaining a higher census, and
reducing our overall Linen purchases.
8
Data
Pounds Per Patient Day Cost Savings
TOTAL LAUNDRY AND LINEN COST PER PATIENT DAY
SEPTEMBER 2002 11.88
SEPTEMBER 2004 9.62
9
Results

• POUNDS PER PATIENT DAY SEPTEMBER 2002 27.59
• PATIENT DAYS SEPTEMBER 2002 11,131
• POUNDS PER PATIENT DAY SEPTEMBER 2004 21.88
• PATIENT DAYS SEPTEMBER 2004 11,875

10
Conclusions

• By instituting our formal As Needed Bed Change
  Policy, LUHS has reduced its Linen pounds per
  patient day by 4 pounds per patient day.

11
Next Steps

• Continued monitoring among units to ensure that
  our gains in bed linen utilization are not lost.