Insights From TRSA’s 3-Part Webinar Series

Health care facilities depend on more than surgical teams, infection preventionists (IPs), and environmental services to safeguard patients. Behind the scenes, health care linen and laundry programs play an equally vital role in ensuring hygienically clean scrubs, gowns, sheets, and other textiles. Yet the connection between laundry practices and infection prevention is often overlooked or underestimated.

To address this knowledge gap, the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) hosted a 3-part webinar series this spring and summer, focusing on the intersection of health care, laundry, and infection prevention. The series, which drew record attendance from IPs, clinicians, hospital administrators, and laundry professionals, explored the latest evidence-based practices and industry standards that directly influence patient and staff safety.

“Hygienically clean linens and textiles play a critical role in the delivery of health care,” said Joseph Ricci, president and CEO at TRSA. “They protect frontline workers and patients from the spread of infection and other hazards, and they allow patients and providers to feel more comfortable and secure in the health care setting. But we know there are common questions and misinformation that surround reusable textiles, and it’s our job to address them. This webinar series helped share the facts, answered questions, and explained how hygienically clean reusable textiles can best protect workers and patients.”

Part 1 (May 1, 2025): “Mastering Laundry Inspections: A Best Practices Checklist for Infection Preventionists”

The opening session of the series drew unprecedented attendance, underscoring the urgency and growing awareness of health care laundry’s role in infection prevention. This webinar highlighted hygienically clean certification standards, which ensure that health care textiles are processed to eliminate pathogens and minimize the risk of contamination.

The speakers included Greg Cox, auditor, Hygienically Clean Certifications; Liz Remillong, vice president of strategic accounts for CORE Linen Services, and cochair of the TRSA Healthcare Committee; Dan Sanchez, president of Sanchez Advisory Group; and Steve Tinker, senior vice president of research & development and marketing for Gurtler Industries.

Panelists detailed how certification audits assess everything from facility cleanliness to wash chemistry, microbial testing, and handling practices. For IPs, these insights were especially relevant: While they may not be directly involved in laundry oversight, the standards represent a valuable benchmark for evaluating whether a facility’s textile provider meets rigorous safety requirements. Additionally, attendees were invited to download TRSA’s Laundry Tour Inspection Checklist for Infection Preventionists as a takeaway.

Part 2 (June 3, 2025): “The Risks of Home Laundering Facility-Provided Scrubs”

The second webinar focused on a challenge many hospitals face: the persistence of home laundering for scrubs and uniforms. Despite evidence to the contrary, some staff continue to believe that washing scrubs at home is a safe and convenient option.

The session made clear that home laundering introduces a substantial risk to frontline workers, patients, and communities, and could contribute to the spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Unlike certified health care laundry facilities, home machines cannot guarantee the removal of pathogens, and transporting contaminated scrubs outside the facility creates the potential for community exposure.

The speakers included Liz Barber, BSN, RN, clinical educator for HandCraft Linen and Uniform Specialists; Scott Delin, vice president of indirect health care sales for Fashion Seal Healthcare; and Dyan Troxel, MSN, RN, director of clinical education for HandCraft Linen & Uniform Specialists.

Presenters shared data and case studies illustrating how pathogens can survive household washing cycles and why professional laundering is crucial for safeguarding both health care workers and their families. They also covered the role of Hygienically Clean Certified commercial health care laundries in infection prevention and best practices for handling reusable scrubs and uniforms.

For IPs and administrators, the takeaway was unmistakable: Permitting home laundering undermines infection control strategies and leaves organizations vulnerable to regulatory scrutiny and liability.

To further explain the risks and benefits of using a commercial health care laundry, “a new study, ‘Domestic Laundering of Healthcare Textiles: Disinfection Efficacy and Risks of Antibiotic Resistance Transmission,’ funded by De Montfort University, the Textile Services Association, and TRSA, and published in PLOS.One, found that many home washing machines fail to eliminate harmful bacteria—even at high temperatures—reinforcing long-standing concerns about the role of domestic laundering in the spread of infection and antimicrobial resistance,” according to the May 8, 2025, TRSA press release.

Part 3 (July 10, 2025): “Linen Handling Best Practices: Protecting against Infection in Healthcare Facilities”

The final session in the series brought together the themes of the earlier webinars and expanded the focus to include the strategic role of health care textiles in overall infection prevention programs. Presenters discussed how linens, gowns, and scrubs are not just commodities, but integral components of safe care delivery. The presenters gave best practices for handling both soiled and clean linen.

The presenters included Mike Lang, process analyst for Unitex Healthcare Laundry Services; Chuck Rossmiller, senior director of national field sales for Medline Industries Inc; and Nancy Tree, process quality assurance and compliance manager for Alsco Uniforms.

The conversation focused on the capabilities of commercial laundries and their role in preventing infections. Speakers emphasized the importance of training on and establishing clear policies for handling, storing, and transporting textiles to avoid contamination from reentering clinical spaces.

Why This Series Matters for Infection Prevention and Control Personnel

For IPs, the TRSA series provided actionable takeaways that go beyond the laundry room. Each webinar highlighted how oversight, collaboration, and adherence to standards directly influence infection risk. By understanding the processes and science behind health care laundry, IPs can more effectively partner with sterile processing, environmental services, and supply chain teams to strengthen infection prevention efforts.

• From Part 1, IPs learned the value of leveraging certification and microbial testing as objective measures of laundry program safety.
• From Part 2, they gained compelling evidence to advocate against home laundering policies in their organizations.
• From Part 3, they were prepared to view a commercial laundry as a strategic partner in infection prevention and linen management, including clean and soiled linen.

Free Access to Webinar Recordings

Recognizing the importance of sharing this knowledge broadly, TRSA has made the recordings of all 3 webinars free and open to the public. IPs, clinicians, administrators, and laundry professionals can access them here: TRSA Webinar Series Recordings.

By making these sessions widely available, TRSA aims to encourage ongoing dialogue between health care facilities and textile service providers, thereby bridging gaps in awareness and promoting stronger infection control across the continuum of care.

Conclusion

Health care textiles are more than background details in the patient care environment. They are frontline tools in infection prevention, safety, and sustainability. TRSA’s 3-part webinar series sheds light on the critical role of hygienically clean certification, the risks of home laundering, and the broader connection between textile management and infection prevention.

For IPs and health care leaders, the message is clear: Partnering with certified health care laundry providers and adopting evidence-based practices is not optional; it is essential. With knowledge, oversight, and collaboration, health care laundry can help facilities reduce infection risks, protect staff and patients, and uphold the highest standards of safety and quality.