Generations of Success Unitex Laundry Operations Draw on a Tradition of Multigenerational Leadership

THREADSInnovation for healthcare textiles & EVS 2020: ISSUE 11

Generations of success Unitex laundry operations draw on a tradition of multigenerational leadership

Designing with The next generation Reduce risk in the behavioral health of hand hygiene operating room + in mind compliance environment Submit your nomination, today. Each month the Works of Heart program honors a nominated healthcare worker who goes above and beyond the call—no matter the disease state, day or care setting. One overall winner will serve as an inspiration for a Medline doll in 2021.

Get the latest updates and follow the conversation on social at #WorksOfHeart.

Medline Industries, Inc. | Three Lakes Drive, Northfield, IL 60093 | 1-800-MEDLINE (633-5463) © 2020 Medline Industries, Inc. Medline is a registered trademarks of Medline Industries, Inc. MKT19W707755 / 23 welcome

Business done family style

Family is important to us at Medline. The stories we share in Threads magazine As a family-owned business, we have a help us grow as a company, and we hope deep respect and appreciation for both they help you too. In this issue, you’ll find the benefits and challenges of working stories about translating today’s industry with family. Whether born out of a challenges into positive advancements in passion for the industry, or as a means technology, engaging and educating to earn a living, a successful family multigenerational teams to ensure business requires the ability and consistency, and what running a successful willingness to listen and learn — across family business means to others the generations. throughout the industry. Hannah Zielinski While those who built our business have We’d love for the next issue of Threads to a wealth of knowledge and experience, feature your stories. As part of our new our new family members might have a media kit, we are asking our laundry, bold vision for what comes next. And healthcare and EVS partners to pass along when we blend the wisdom of the past their knowledge and experiences to inspire with the energy of the future, we have the next generation. Talk with your Medline an exciting recipe for creating the best representative for details — we can’t wait now possible. to hear what you have to share.

But today it’s not always our blood that connects us. It’s our common interests and experiences and the challenges we Submit your nomination, today. all face. The threads connecting our industries run deep, making us another Each month the Works of Heart program honors a kind of family. We support and rely on Hannah Zielinski nominated healthcare worker who goes above and each other. We also learn from each Marketing Manager beyond the call—no matter the disease state, day or other. Not just from our similar stories, Acute Care Sales, Textiles but from our unique lessons as well. Medline Industries, Inc. care setting. One overall winner will serve as an Sharing experiences that seem inspiration for a Medline doll in 2021. unrelated to our medical, laundry and EVS businesses can often give us a fresh Get the latest updates and follow the conversation on perspective on a problem or a plan — social at #WorksOfHeart. leading to innovative solutions and making us better than ever, together.

Medline Industries, Inc. Three Lakes Drive Northfield, IL 60093 1-800-MEDLINE (1-800-633-5463) www.medline.com

Published by Convero 835 Sharon Drive, Suite 200 Westlake, OH 44145 (844) 428-8844 www.converoinc.com 22 Medline Editor: Hannah Zielinski [email protected]

Project Manager: Amy Ward Art Director: Wendy Armon Cover photography provided by Unitex

spotlight Lessons Learned Leading a multigenerational team effectively...... 6 Leveraging personal experience to navigate uncharted waters...... 10

News You Can Use 24 Learning that sticks ...... 8 features 12 Efficiency Cleaning up the OR...... 12

Patient Experience Designing with behavioral health in mind...... 15 True colors for uniform programs...... 18 18 Linen Utilization Driving laundry efficiency in a tight labor market...... 20 How simple textiles are made...... 22

Cover Story Generations of success: Unitex laundry operations draw on a tradition of multigenerational leadership ...... 24

Infection Prevention The next generation of hand 28 hygiene compliance ...... 28 30 Feature On-the-job laundry learning; Help us recognize your EVS team...... 30

Issue 11 5 SPOTLIGHT

LESSONS LEARNED LEADING A MULTIGENERATIONAL TEAM EFFECTIVELY

Jack Bowser Group President Primary Care, Textiles, EVS, Nutrition and Pharma Divisions Medline Industries, Inc.

6 THREADS 2020 Jack Bowser began his UNDERSTAND YOUR TEAM. IDENTIFY MENTORSHIP career with Medline in “For me, the biggest thing is getting OPPORTUNITIES. close enough to people so I know what “The Medline culture warrants a lot 1989. Over the course motivates them and [can] work closely of exposure to people at all levels of three decades, he with them to accomplish their goals. of the company…[This] gives me an has led multiple teams It isn’t just about hitting the numbers. opportunity to talk to those people It is also about getting the most out and find out what their pain points are, comprising people who of people and making sure work life what is motivating them, what their have been with Medline contributes to good life experiences.” challenges are. If you don’t have that for years, as well as direct contact, you lose something. It is harder to succeed, and you end people who are new MANAGE DIFFERENT PEOPLE DIFFERENTLY. up with a lot more turnover. My to both the company “I found managing [people] who goal is to continue to stay as close and the workforce. As a grew up at our company, who have to people at all levels as I can.” been here forever, is different than leader, he has learned managing someone who we hired STAY CONNECTED. how to engage with his out of school or brought in from “No matter what level you’re at in your team members, both another company. What are the career, there isn’t any substitution culture, the DNA and the mentality for time in the field. I can’t overstate new and seasoned, to we are looking for? Some people are that enough…I spend enough time help drive growth. motivated by the opportunity to make in the field to find out what are money, while other people want to be the trends in the market, what are congratulated all the time on all the the competitors up to, what keeps positive things. Other people want customers up at night. If you are a clear career path and a mentor to out in the field seeing what is really get them there fast. I want to make happening, and you ask enough open- sure that I’m helping them to achieve ended questions, you will get all the their goals so they’re motivated to information you need to be successful.” bring their best to the job every day.” FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES. “When an organization grows, that in turn creates new opportunities for some of the younger people. If you look down the road four or five years, there are an awful lot of us who started at our organizations 20, 25, 30 years “No matter what level ago, who are going to be retiring. As you’re at in your career, our organizations grow, we will need there isn’t any substitution people of all ages, at all levels, to step up as leaders more than ever.” for time in the field.”

Issue 11 7 NEWS YOU CAN USE

Learning that sticks Try these tips for educating a multigenerational team in any industry

It’s no secret that workplaces are seeing more age-diverse teams than ever before. In 2020, millennials make up 50 percent of the workforce, and Gen Z-ers are quickly joining in as many start their careers post- graduation.1 But that doesn’t mean tenured generations aren’t sticking around. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, older Americans are expected to be the fastest-growing part of the workforce during the next five years.2 It’s safe to say we can expect to see people of all ages make up our teams for some time to come – and many agree that it’s a good thing. In fact, 85 percent of those in leadership positions think diversity is important when it comes to innovation within their employee base.1 While tenured working together that all learn very employees contribute hard-earned differently. For example, younger trade knowledge and their take on nurses entering the job market for the “To successfully current industry trends, younger first time prefer learning that is quick generations are excited to explore to complete, while veteran nurses engage your new ways of getting things done. rely on structured learning and find audience, content Many workplaces are even celebrating importance in sharing out the ways needs to be brief multigenerational relationship-building they’ve done things in the past.” by providing increased opportunities This observation raises the and targeted.” for mentoring and reverse-mentoring. question, how do you make content With education, however, a exciting for both new and tenured Marianne Carlson, vice president of sales training for Medline Industries, Inc. multigenerational workforce – among employees? “To successfully engage other societal factors – is challenging your audience, content needs to be the tried-and-true ways we teach brief and targeted,” says Marianne our teams. “I’m seeing more variety Carlson, vice president of sales in the asks coming from healthcare training for Medline Industries, Inc. professionals when the topic of team “Information must be immediately learning comes up,” says Angela relevant, delivered in a manner in Zuick, director of acute care clinical which learners clearly understand services for Medline Industries, Inc. how they will apply the information, “What’s happening in healthcare right and reinforced to ensure the learned now is that there are a lot of nurses behaviors stick.”

8 THREADS 2020 Here are some tips to keep in mind when refreshing your team training plan:

Educate for today. Focus your educational content to speak to the challenges your team or facility has identified Digital platforms such as top priority. Framing training as a solution to today’s as podcasts have problem helps education to be immediately applicable, making it become successful that much more useful in real time. “People aren’t going to change unless they have a reason to delivery methods for change,” says Carlson. “If something has worked for you for the last rolling out education. 20 years, why would you approach the situation differently?” To make training sticky, use data to preface why the need for continuing education is applicable to the entire team. “When you identify what’s not working for the group in statistics, individuals representing all generations will be more willing to accept new approaches,” says Zuick. “I’ve seen those [who were] originally most skeptical fully jump on board once they’ve seen key metrics improve during status updates.” Marianne Carlson Short and sweet. We’ve been saying this for some time, is vice president but today’s learner continues to be increasingly distracted. of sales training at “In healthcare, continuing education has to take place while Medline Industries, nurses and clinicians are clocked in during routine hours,” Inc. She is passionate about helping says Zuick. “This makes it extremely difficult to help nurses rank people do their jobs better and more learning as important of a task as their day-to-day responsibilities.” To be successful, the way we educate needs to be an exact efficiently. She has more than 15 years’ reflection of society. Just as industries such as social media experience in sales enablement, training advertising have found creative ways to cut through the noise, and development of corporate value education needs to be brief and engaging. propositions. “I believe education that happens in ‘microbursts’ is way more likely to be successful,” says Zuick. “Training should last 3 minutes or less and should cover only the essentials like the challenge, why it needs to be addressed, and what actions to put in play in the immediate future, before switching to the next topic.” Digital platforms such as podcasts have become successful delivery methods for rolling out education in this way. Making meaningful changes to your training plan that take Angela Zuick, everyone’s interests into account seems tough, but it doesn’t have RN, CCRN, VA- to be. Ask your team what they need to be successful. By engaging is director of with individuals across generations, you’ll get honest feedback that BC, you can use to make sure all parties are represented. In the end, clinical services education that’s meaningful to the success of the end user sticks. at Medline Industries, Inc. She leads Medline’s perioperative clinicians, critical REFERENCES care and skin health nurses. She also 1. “Work Evolved: Building a Successful Multigenerational Workforce.” Forbes. June 10, 2019. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2019/06/10/work-evolved- has spearheaded several of Medline’s building-a-successful-multigenerational-workforce/#397ffe2e78cb. clinical solution initiatives, and her clinical 2. “The UN and AARP Team up for Age-Diverse Workforces.” Forbes. Feb. 17, 2020. www.forbes.com/ sites/nextavenue/2020/02/17/the-un-and-aarp-team-up-for-age-diverse-workforces/#6306b3e94c69. experience includes adult critical care.

Issue 11 9 SPOTLIGHT

LESSONS LEARNED LEVERAGING PERSONAL EXPERIENCE TO NAVIGATE UNCHARTED WATERS

Navigating new territory in your professional or personal life can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Many times, leveraging your past experiences is what makes you successful when you find yourself faced with exciting new challenges.

PUT YOUR PRIORITIES FIRST. “I try to keep the reason I joined the industry in the first place as my mission critical. Regardless of what position I’ve been interested in at the time, every step of my journey in the healthcare industry has been fueled by what I’m passionate about – taking care of patients and environmental services (EVS) staff. I take my mission critical so seriously that it’s caused me to shift my approach to creating products that are safer for the environ- Brian Trotter ment and the customer.” Senior Sales Specialist Medline Industries, Inc. GET ON THE FRONT LINES. “You have to do everything you can to put yourself in situations firsthand – I honestly believe you don’t know until you truly experience it. By gaining experience scrubbing patient rooms and establishing facility cleaning protocol, I’ve been exposed to the challenges EVS teams are faced with on a daily basis. By living the pain points in real time, I now have valuable context I can share with the new teams I work with.”

ARM YOURSELF WITH RESEARCH. “I’ve found that the more I know about a topic, the better. Especially in healthcare, data drives decisions. To be successful, I suggest investing time in researching what’s happening in your respective industry and spreading helpful news to those around you. All of your research can be saved as a tool in your personal archives for reference at a later date in any new scenario.”

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS. “While I spend a lot of time reflect- ing on the past, I also look for new ways to gain fresh perspective. My favorite way to go about doing this is by meeting new people – the more people you meet, the more you can learn. Always look for opportunities to surround yourself with new crowds and people of different backgrounds. Everyone loves to share their own experiences, and the more you con- nect, the greater chance you’ll absorb a fresh perspective.”

10 THREADS 2020 Location matters

Make hand hygiene compliance easy with Spectrum™ products The key to effective hand hygiene is the ability to do it anytime, anywhere. Spectrum products—soaps, sanitizers and wipes—go anywhere in your facility to make it easy for staff, patients and visitors to follow hand hygiene best practices for improved safety and compliance. And Spectrum is specially formulated to help reduce bacteria on the skin that could cause disease, moisturize skin and leave hands feeling great.

Schedule a trial today. Contact your Medline representative or call 1-800-MEDLINE to learn more.

Issue 11 11

EFFICIENCY

Cleaning up the OR Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the leading contributor to hospital-associated infections (HAIs).1 How can you develop robust procedures to Reduce risk address the by addressing challenges of environmental challenges in the cleaning and operating room mitigate risk in the environment operating room? Medline experts Kim Haines, a registered nurse with operating room certification who is perioperative clinical program director, and Brian Trotter, a senior sales specialist with years of environmental services (EVS) experience, offer some guidance for successfully handling this complicated issue.

12 THREADS 2020 OR CLEANING BY SEQUENCE Just as airplane pilots rely on preflight sequences to ready planes for safe travel, a zone cleaning process can help ensure no surface is overlooked in the operating room. “A clean by sequence program safeguards that What are the challenges of environmental all high-touch, high-risk surfaces are cleaned and cleaning in the surgical space? disinfected during each room turnover,” says Brian Trotter, EVS sales specialist for Medline Industries, Kim Haines: I would say they are multifaceted because Inc. “The goal is to eliminate any gaps or redundancy there are several staffing models that support the by assigning specific responsibilities.” environmental cleaning process. For example, there Rethink your OR cleaning program in four steps: are both in-house and outsourced EVS staffing models, cross-trained surgical technicians who help turn over 1 ASSESS rooms, and models where nursing staff clean and What are current protocols? How are duties turn over rooms with no EVS support. These varying divided? Is there risk of cross-contamination? models make it difficult to place ownership, monitor for quality assurance and train staff appropriately on best 2 SIMPLIFY practices for OR cleaning protocols. Expectations are high for fast room turnover, and that means all hands on deck. “There are often Brian Trotter: Simply put, EVS challenges in the nurses and OR techs working alongside EVS,” says surgical space include the necessity for detailed Trotter. Eliminate guesswork by developing clear standard operating procedures and effective product zones of responsibility. selection. First, a multidisciplinary team, including hospital administrators, infection prevention experts, 3 EDUCATE EVS staff and perioperative nurses and techs, need to Mitigating infection risk requires that everyone collaborate to establish best practices based on each perform their assigned tasks, every day. Are healthcare system’s goals and staffing models. Second, the correct disinfectants in place and remaining careful consideration needs to be given to selecting the on surfaces for the appropriate dwell time? right combination of chemicals, pathogen kill times and Do employees use proper hand sanitizer and cleaning tools. glove protocols? What are the latest statistics on 4 MEASURE infection rates and reducing HAIs? Is the EVS team able to achieve optimal Haines: According to the Centers for Disease Control turnaround times? Is there a comprehensive plan and Prevention (CDC), the years 2017 and 2018 for daily terminal cleaning? What system is in experienced the greatest reduction in CAUTI [catheter- place to measure soil load removal or conduct associated urinary tract infection], CLABSI [central adenosine triphosphate (ATP) testing? line-associated bloodstream infection] and hospital C. diff infections.2 Through the ERASE PathogensTM program, However, there hasn’t been significant impact on Medline partners with healthcare customers VAEs [ventilator-associated events], SSIs or hospital to evaluate current practices and customize MRSA [methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus].3 site-specific, comprehensive surface cleaning CDC statistics show that 1 in every 31 patients obtains and disinfection systems. “We are in the ORs an infection associated with hospital care in which with our partners to observe and collaborate,” environmental cleanliness plays a major role.4 says Trotter. “With years of previous EVS experience, our team understands the processes and can help identify any gaps.”

Issue 11 13

EFFICIENCY

Trotter: The reality of EVS staffing is that turnover rates are generally high. It is essential to have a robust training program in place to ensure that every member of the team understands their role and responsibility. Working alongside a supervisor or coworker is beneficial for new employees because they see the processes firsthand.

What are the financial implications for healthcare systems? Haines: Often, financial pressure is a double-edged sword. Providers are starting to feel the reimbursement impact of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) penalties, but they also face the pressure of managing costs, labor and productivity in the face of shrinking budgets. Financial stressors include unremitting demand to reduce costs, expectations to expedite room turnover and ongoing In terms of SSIs, there are a multitude of risk factors. challenges of staff retention and training efforts. Appropriate presurgery preparation, enhanced clinical REFERENCES practice and environmental controls contribute to 1. “Surgical Site Infections Are the Most Common and Costly Hospital Infections.” Science effectively reducing risk of infections. Therefore, Daily. Jan. 19, 2017. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170119161551.htm. health systems must have a well-rounded and diligent 2. Healthcare Associated Infections Data Portal. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/hai/data/portal/index.html. multidisciplinary approach to monitoring and managing 3. Ibid. HAIs. 4. HAI Data. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/hai/data/index.html. Why is clinical education a critical piece of the puzzle? Haines: For all staff members, education and awareness are critical components of infection prevention. Helping people understand cause and effect is a major element in developing effective educational programs. For example, cleaning surfaces with the proper cleaning agent is part of the equation, but the order in which you clean is even more Kim Haines is critical. Otherwise, unintentional cross-contamination perioperative may occur. clinical program director for Medline Industries, Inc. She has a Bachelor of Science in nursing and has been a registered nurse with an operating room certification for more than 25 years. Brian Trotter is a senior sales specialist She travels to hospitals nationwide for with Medline Industries, Inc. He has clinical support projects, including supply 12 years of combined healthcare management consulting, individual and experience, including as an EVS senior multisystem standardization projects, director at Sodexo Healthcare and an infection prevention quality investigations, product in-services sales executive at Diversey, Inc. He currently supports and education, perioperative best Medline’s EVS Division in their infection prevention program. practice consultation and preference card For more information, please contact him at BTrotter@ assessment. medline.com.

14 THREADS 2020 PATIENT EXPERIENCE

Designing with behavioral health in mind Balancing comfort and safety in the environment of care

Fostering a safe and comforting environment is crucial in behavioral health care, where cases have more than doubled during the past decade.1 Whether behavioral health patients are secured in designated inpatient wings or freestanding clinics, presented to emergency departments, or admitted for co-occurring medical diagnoses, it is critical to protect them – as well as other patients, family members and healthcare personnel – by utilizing products designed for their specific needs. That requires finding an optimal balance between comfort and safety in the behavioral health environment of care.

A whole-hospital approach The need to rethink the patient environment is not limited to designated behavioral units or wings. Increasingly, individuals are presenting throughout the hospital with challenges ranging from anxiety and depression to substance abuse and addiction, mood disorders and suicidal ideation.

• Emergency departments With fewer places to turn for both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care and follow-up, patients are presenting to emergency departments as a primary source of behavioral health care.2 Additionally, whether patients self-admit or are transported by first responders, ED physicians and staff often are the first line of care when patients experience mental health crises.

• Acute care units Nearly 40 percent of acute care admissions involve a concomitant mental or substance abuse disorder, creating safety and care delivery concerns for doctors and nurses.3 In addition, these dual diagnoses

Issue 11 15 PATIENT EXPERIENCE

often lead to a ripple effect. For example, issues such as Outfitting for added safety and comfort depression may affect patients’ ability to manage chronic Fostering safe and comfortable surroundings has conditions, anxiety may trigger heart palpitations, and increased significance in the behavioral health setting. drug dependency may hamper effective pain management. A holistic approach to design and apparel can support an atmosphere of reassurance and comfort. • Pediatric and adolescent admissions In 2016, a 10-year study found that hospital admissions for Here are four tips to get started: children with psychiatric diagnoses were five times greater than for those without a psychiatric diagnosis.4 For this age See the whole space. Rather than focusing solely on group, having a primary or secondary behavioral health a fixed category like furnishings, think of behavioral diagnosis generally results in a longer length of stay.5 1 health products in the context of the complete environment. That will help you understand how each • Geriatrics decision impacts both patient and staff safety. Select As the population ages, disability due to mental illness in patient and room textiles, fixtures and furnishings patients 65 and older is becoming a major public health with an eye for mitigating self-harm. Consider potential issue.6 Loss of independence, debilitating illness or injury, ligature points, and seek solutions that are tamper- and depression and dementia are common challenges for impact-resistant.7 patients in acute and geriatric hospital settings. Think in color. Color is playing a greater role 2 in behavioral healthcare as a means of patient People with serious mental illness have an increased identification. Emerald green and royal purple are risk for chronic disease, like diabetes or cancer. examples of two colors that healthcare systems are selecting to outfit their behavioral health patients so staff members can quickly notice if patients are in unauthorized areas. Additionally, color-coded tabs or necklines can help caregivers quickly sort and select apparel for both adult and pediatric behavioral health populations. 1 in 8 of all U.S. emergency department visits is related to mental and substance use disorders. Add a touch of home. Thoughtful design can play a 3 role in reducing environmental stressors.8 Replace scratchy textiles with soft, breathable fabrics. Swap hospital gowns for more comfortable and modest scrub- style patient garments. Introduce elements from nature, 75% 17% and provide effective light and sound control to enhance a calm, patient-centered environment.9

75 percent of all mental 17 percent of youth Leverage industry partnerships. Safety is No. 1 in illness begins by age 24. (ages 6-17) have a 4 the behavioral health space. Hospitals are seeking mental health disorder. guidance in identifying solutions that protect patients, staff and visitors, and working with a trusted partner Suicide is the 10th Suicide is the 2nd can help you address your individual challenges and leading cause of death leading cause of death in pain points. Medline takes a holistic approach when in the United States. individuals ages 10-34. navigating the complexities of behavioral healthcare standards, so that you can keep patient care first and foremost. Our tailored product options are designed with Depression and anxiety disorders cost the global safety features to outfit your entire environment of care. economy $1 trillion each year in lost productivity. Contact your Medline representative to learn more.

Source: National Alliance on Mental Illness

16 THREADS 2020 TEXTILE UPGRADES BOOST PATIENT SATISFACTION

Positive patient experiences continue to be a critical factor not only for hospital evaluations and reimbursements, but also in specialty areas like behavioral health. With the increased demand for enhanced customer service in the healthcare marketplace, textiles are uniquely positioned to affect satisfaction because they directly impact rest and comfort.1 What are patients looking for? Modesty Patients want hospital gowns that provide adequate coverage. Garments that gap or are too big or too small are cause for concern. More than ever, manufacturers are offering an extended range of sizes – often with color- coded features that aid sorting and selection for patient care staff.

Color Color plays a role in how people interact with their environment. Bedding that coordinates with window treatments and overall décor elevates a sterile hospital room. Also, patients are particularly responsive to colorful gowns that resist fading. Quality blends and performance fabrics help gowns stay bright through multiple washings.

Coziness Soft, supple fabrics matter in patient apparel, bed linens and towels. A pleasant tactile feel, breathability and higher thread count are associated with positive patient responses.

Cleanliness Clean and neat surroundings are always at the forefront of consumer experience. Set protocols for linen changes, and rag out textiles that have stains or rips.

REFERENCE 1. Linen Study: Impact of Hospital Linens on Patient Experience and Staff Satisfaction. Medline Industries, Park Nicollet Foundation, HealthPartners Institute and Health Systems Cooperative Laundry. July 8, 2016.

REFERENCES 1. “Behavioral Health Cases Doubled over a Decade.” 6. “Addressing the Unmet Needs of an Aging Modern Healthcare. May 21, 2019. https://www. Population: Is an Inpatient Geropsychiatric modernhealthcare.com/providers/behavioral- Program Right for Your Hospital?” Horizon health-cases-doubled-over-decade. Health Behavioral Health Services. https://horizonhealth.com/wp-content/ 2. “The Impact of Psychiatric Patient Boarding uploads/2017/05/wp_agingpop.pdf. in Emergency Departments.” Emergency Stacy Baumstark Medicine International. 2012. https://www. 7. “Applying Behavioral Health Design is a senior product hindawi.com/journals/emi/2012/360308/. Strategies to the ED Environment.” ASHE Health Facilities Management. manager for 3. “ECRI Offers Tips on Managing Acute Care Patients Oct. 4, 2018. https://www.hfmmagazine. with Behavioral Health Needs.” Healthcare Dive. com/articles/3486-behavioral- patient apparel Nov. 15, 2018. https://www.healthcaredive.com/ health-design-strategies. news/ecri-offers-tips-on-managing-acute-care- in the Textiles Division at Medline patients-with-behavioral-health-nee/542318/. 8. “Towards a Design Theory for Reducing Aggression in Psychiatric Facilities.” ARCH Industries, Inc. Please contact her 4. “Psychiatric Disorders and Trends in Resource Use 12: ARCHITECTURE / RESEARCH / CARE / in Pediatric Hospitals.” Pediatrics. November 2016. HEALTH. Chalmers Institute of Technology, at [email protected] for https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27940773. 2012. https://vbn.aau.dk/ws/portalfiles/ 5. “Behavioral Health Diagnoses among Children portal/71203129/FINAL_pdf_UlrichBogren_ additional information regarding and Adolescents Hospitalized in the United States: Lundin_Toward_a_design_theory_for_ Observations and Implications.” Psychiatry reducing_aggression_Oct_2_.pdf. Medline’s Behavioral Health portfolio. Online. June 1, 2018. https://ps.psychiatryonline. 9 Ibid. org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ps.201700389.

Issue 11 17 PATIENT EXPERIENCE

Color-coded uniform programs help patients easily identify caregivers True colors

The typical hospital setting can be a blur of unfamiliar sights, Sample color-by-discipline program sounds and people to the more than 35 million patients Physicians light blue admitted annually in the United States.1 With rising volumes of patients and shortened stays, how can caregivers quickly Nurses navy convey information about who is who? By utilizing color. Nursing assistants eggplant “Employing specific uniform colors to identify staff Laboratory personnel gray members’ distinct roles within the healthcare system is a growing trend,” says Alysha Turton, product manager for Therapists (PT, OT, respiratory) black Medline Industries, Inc. Recent surveys suggest that patients Environmental services personnel turquoise experience uncertainty identifying nurses and distinguishing among other care providers.2 At the same time, patients and family members are becoming increasingly engaged in healthcare delivery. Knowing who is at the bedside and how to easily Professionalism. Studies show identify care providers increases confidence levels. that public perception of nurses “Scrubs have become the uniform of choice for multiple departments is influenced by their uniforms.3 throughout hospitals, making it challenging for patients to know where to Standardized scrub colors not only direct their questions,” says Turton. “Implementing a color-by-discipline enable patients to more readily uniform program can help individuals and families better understand who is identify employee roles, they also providing their care.” underscore the professionalism and skill of healthcare team members. Program benefits Customization. Consolidating by Rolling out a new color-by-discipline uniform program can bring both color can still leave room for choice. challenges and advantages. Build momentum and encourage staff buy-in by Offer a variety of top and bottom clearly communicating the changeover process and benefits of the program styles and fabrics to accommodate to staff members, including: fit, comfort and personal preferences.

18 THREADS 2020 OUTSIDE THE INPATIENT SETTING

Customization is also available, implementation of a uniform program Color-by-discipline uniform including printing and embroidery, can provide valuable data and programs are on the rise to and choices like performance-fabric insights to healthcare administrators. meet a variety of needs beyond jackets can be added to a collection. Branding. With a wide range of acute settings. “We are seeing Some departments, including mother/ uniform colors available, healthcare significantly more attention paid baby, neonatal and pediatrics, may systems can enhance their brands to uniforms in post-acute and choose to select one color for bottoms through a color-by-discipline uniform outpatient settings,” says Alysha and incorporate coordinated prints program. Patches can be sewn on Turton, product manager for for tops. or logos embroidered or printed on Medline Industries, Inc. Security. Security is enhanced fabric to further customize the look. when staff members can be easily Daywear options like embroidered A color-by-discipline uniform recognized by each other, patients polo shirts and jackets provide program can: and visitors. As scrub-style designs additional branding opportunities. • provide cohesiveness and become a common option for patient define roles for staff members apparel, especially within behavioral Getting started in physician offices, outpatient health, staff identification becomes The SuiteStyles® uniform program clinics and surgery centers even more essential. Putting a by Medline can facilitate a healthcare color-coded system in place can help system’s transition to a color-coded • designate students by year colleagues quickly identify each other uniform program tailored to meet or level of training in higher and monitor restricted areas. specific needs and preferences. A education and career college Simplicity. Standardizing uniforms wide range of colors, fabrications and programs means one less daily decision for busy scrub lines offer options for employee • outfit employees in veterinary professionals. Medline, for example, choice and customization. practices offers a range of services for ordering, “We are able to partner with including pop-up fitting events, our hospital and laundry clients to sample kits and online platforms implement our Color-by-Discipline tailored to specific clients. Medline Uniform Program so that staff employees can also be available members can focus on their day-to- on-site to accommodate employees day responsibilities,” says Turton. on each shift. Added benefits like commercial laundering or scrub- REFERENCES 1. Fast Facts on U.S. Hospitals, 2020. American dispensing vending machines are Hospital Association. https://www.aha.org/ Alysha popular as well. statistics/fast-facts-us-hospitals. Turton is 2. “Contributing to a Quality Patient Experience: Marketing support. Customized Applying Evidence Based Practice to Support a product posters and admission packet Changes in Nursing Dress Code Policies.” OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. January 2016. manager over brochures that build consumer http://ojin.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/ the retail scrub portfolio for awareness about a color-by- Vol-21-2016/No1-Jan-2016/Quality-Patient- Medline Industries, Inc. She is discipline program can be created Experience-Nursing-Dress-Code-Policies.html. passionate about uniforms in for individual healthcare systems. 3. “Impact of Nurses’ Uniforms on Patient and Family Perceptions of Nurse Professionalism.” the healthcare setting and is Additionally, surveys that measure Applied Nursing Research. November 2008. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18995159. patient perceptions before and after constantly looking to push the envelope through innovation and new market opportunities. If you have any questions Learn more about how Medline can help healthcare and about a uniform program with laundry providers implement a SuiteStyles Color-by-Discipline Medline, she would be happy to speak with you! Uniform Program at https://www.suitestyles.com/resource- Contact her at aturton@ center/hospitals-use-color-by-discipline-medical-uniforms-to- medline.com. improve-patient-satisfaction/.

Issue 11 19 LINEN UTILIZATION

Driving laundry efficiency in a tight labor market Automation is empowering Intermountain to do more with a smaller staff

Healthcare laundries across the country are continuing to experience labor shortages, and Intermountain Healthcare’s laundry operation in Woods Cross, Utah, is no exception. Intermountain operates in a state with a traditionally low unemployment rate, according to Scott Schofield, senior director of supply chain services. With a large group of employees nearing retirement, plus labor pool competition from businesses like Amazon, Intermountain found itself with 15 open positions in the past year.

Investing in automation Machine solutions Automation can be a big part of the Laundry bagging machines can be an efficient f solution to laundry labor shortages. way to cut down on the number of full-time Schofield and his team were able to employees required for the wash and dry process. secure contingency funds for the new Intermountain is now bagging microfiber cloths and equipment they needed after putting mops, baby shirts, baby diapers, reusable isolation together a detailed business case. They gowns, washcloths, pillowcases and contour sheets, determined that automation clearly and the laundry plans to begin bagging its other would drive significant return on sheets as well. investment, and in 2019, Intermountain “From the washing machine, [laundry goes] invested in an additional bagging through our automated process and right to the machine, two garment folders, and bagging machine. No human touches them,” says Medline’s PlastiVac bag-to-baler. Schofield. One person mans the machine, but no

20 THREADS 2020 additional staff members are needed for packing the cleaned products. In addition to reducing the amount of labor to complete the process, bagging machines can improve cleanliness. If someone drops unbagged garments or linens on the floor at the laundry or healthcare facility, those items need to be rewashed. But bagged laundry items are removed one at a time when ready for use, and dropping the sealed example, were removing all items Since investing in automation, bag on the floor is not an issue. from a bag and stacking them on the laundry has added an additional Intermountain’s two automated shelves, rather than removing items hospital to its workload and a garment folders require only a couple one at a time so they remain clean and number of external clients. And this of staff members to load them, fewer untouched until removed for use. The year, Intermountain will be opening than the number of workers needed Intermountain laundry team stepped a new hospital that will generate to manually fold scrubs. “We were in to teach customers about the value approximately 1 million pounds of able to redeploy eight caregivers of bagged laundry from an infection laundry per year. working in the scrub area,” says prevention perspective. “We have seen significant growth Schofield. “We took those caregivers Bagged laundry also helps in our pounds that we are producing and put them in areas we needed healthcare customers with room every year over the last couple them.” turnover time because the contour of years,” says Schofield. “We are In addition, the PlastiVac sheets are easier to remove from the growing in production, but we are creates a smoother workflow for bags and pop on the beds, according shrinking the amount of people we Intermountain’s soiled and sort area. to Schofield. “We can actually reduce [have] actually working in the plant.” Instead of bailing linens in rewashable the amount of time it takes to make a The Intermountain laundry is laundry bags, the PlastiVac uses bed by almost 30 percent,” he says. continuing to look at ways to put recyclable plastic bags. “It is automation to work, adds Schofield. environmentally friendly. It allows us Improving laundry productivity In the near term, bagging is a big to use less water and chemicals in the Intermountain integrated the priority. “Once it [laundry] goes in the wash process,” says Schofield. automated machines into its wash and dry cycle, [the more] we The recyclable bags also are operations near the end of 2019, can keep it out of people’s hands, the smaller than rewashable laundry and the company already is seeing better it is going to be,” says Schofield. bags, which reduces the weight that growth in productivity, according to “We are trying to make it a touchless employees in the laundry are lifting Schofield. The laundry also is able process.” at one time. Intermountain was to handle more throughput. “Being concerned about employee injury able to redeploy those FTEs [full-time related to heavy lifting, and the employees] was huge,” says Schofield. smaller plastic bags lessen that risk. “Our ROI came back at eight months.”

Customer feedback The Intermountain laundry staff has had a positive reaction after Scott Schofield is senior director of supply learning how to work with the chain services at Intermountain Healthcare. He automated machines, says Schofield, is responsible for Intermountain’s central laundry, but healthcare customers have design and print center, sign shop, travel services, fleet experienced more of a learning management, equipment planning and asset recovery. curve. Some healthcare workers, for

Issue 11 21 LINEN UTILIZATION

Once melted, those liquefied pellets get extruded through a showerhead- looking device called a spinneret, which turns them into long fibers. Engineers can make polyester fibers any length and shape. After the spinneret, the fibers either get wound on a cone or How it’s chopped into small links. The links later are blended with cotton or other fibers. These fibers go through additional processes before they made become fabric, starting with being spun into yarn. Producing simple textiles is Sinde says it takes sophisticated more complicated than it looks equipment and a dozen or more steps to turn fiber into yarn. “Yarn-spinning is such a complicated, specific process that many suppliers don’t do it themselves,” says Sinde. “They use The simple scrub plays a big role in Products made from 100 percent dedicated yarn-spinning factories.” the healthcare workplace, helping cotton feel soft to the touch, while to identify medical personnel and 100 percent polyester generally On the loom protecting staff members’ personal feels smoother. Hospital employees When a supplier receives a purchase clothing from contaminants and body tend to prefer cottony soft, while order for healthcare textiles, it orders fluids. The journey of a scrub from administrators generally like the necessary yarn from a yarn- fiber to finished product, however, polyester’s staying power, so a 45 spinning company. That yarn then is anything but simple. Producing percent polyester/55 percent cotton goes onto the supplier’s weaving scrubs and other similar textiles, such blend can satisfy both groups. loom: Imagine a larger, more advanced as patient gowns, slipper socks and Advances in polyester engineering version of a loom you could buy blankets, involves dozens of steps, also have yielded comfortable online. By interlacing two different multiple facilities and state-of-the-art performance fabric with moisture- sets of yarns using different patterns machinery. wicking properties and fast drying and densities, the supplier can times. “Things are moving even produce different weaves. The higher Fibers of choice more toward polyester as we learn the thread/yarn count, the denser Most Medline textile products are to make it more breathable and the fabric. made from cotton, polyester or a softer,” says Sinde. “For most of our products, the combination of both. Why? Cotton yarns are intimately blended,” says and polyester blend well together, From cotton (or plastic) to yarn Sinde. “That means there is 55 percent and both are easy to obtain and Textile-makers have used cotton since cotton and 45 percent polyester fiber affordable. ancient times. The fluffy white crop in each yarn.” “If you blend cotton with polyester, grows well in the southern United it shrinks less than using only cotton,” States, as well as parts of China, India, says Rachel Sinde, product sourcing Pakistan and Brazil, among other and development manager, Medline countries. Industries, Inc. “Polyester is super- While cotton grows durable – you could wash it 100 times, naturally, polyester and it would still look pretty good. But (polyethylene terephthalate over time cotton fibers wash away. or PET) comes from a lab. Blending the materials maximizes Polyester starts not as fiber the properties of both.” but as small plastic pellets.

22 THREADS 2020

FIBERS Attributes of fibers: Cotton vs. polyester Cotton Polyester Absorbency High None Strength Moderate High Dry time Slow Fast Shrinkage High Low Colorfastness Moderate Very good Durability Moderate Very good Insulating High Low Flammability High Low Softness Good Depends Pilling Moderate Depends Breathability Moderate Depends

Source: Medline Industries, Inc.

Producing scrubs and other similar textiles involves dozens of steps, multiple facilities and state-of-the-art machinery.

“But there are many checks and apparel, the more laborers involved, balances in place,” says Sinde. One of which increases the price of the the checks happens when the fabric is garment. laid on the cutting table. “When they lay fabric onto the table, people check Material choices expanding for shade variation and make sure all With the rise of performance pieces are similar.” fabrics, some hospitals are moving toward 100 percent polyester Dye jobs Making the finished product scrubs. Their higher price point After the vendor makes the fabric, it After many layers of fabric are laid reflects their excellent ability to is dyed those familiar shades of blue, onto the table and inspected, a resist wrinkles, keep their bright green and gray. But because multiple worker cuts each pattern piece – and deep shades, and hold up to rolls of fabric may be needed to fill shirts, pants, jackets – from those repeated, rigorous washings. one order, and the rolls are dyed layers of fabric. “You may have higher upfront separately, the color may not be 100 Cut pieces then move to the costs [with all-polyester], but you’ll percent the same from piece to piece. sewing floor, where workers create get a product that lasts longer,” says If you’ve ever ordered new scrubs the finished product. Unlike towels Sinde. “Which material you choose and discovered the new pants aren’t and blankets, which are made depends on the laundry, your exactly the same color as the old, it’s almost entirely by machine, scrubs business model and what works because so many different factors can and patient gowns get attention best for you and your staff.” affect the color. from people. The more complex the

Rachel Sinde has been fascinated with textiles since she was a kid. She has a degree in textile technology from North Carolina State University and has been working in the textile industry since 2007. She is particularly passionate about textile science, product development and the relationship between the two. Talk textiles with her at [email protected].

Issue 11 23 COVER STORY

Generations of success

Unitex laundry operations draw on a tradition of multigenerational leadership

How did a horse-and-wagon linen supply receive the lab coats, scrubs, linens and specialty in Lower Manhattan, New York, grow to apparel they need to provide comfort and care become the largest family-owned healthcare to patients. service provider in the country? By keeping With a 12th processing plant opening later an eye on both the past and the future as this year and a 13th scheduled to open in 2021, each generation took the helm, says Unitex the family continues to reinvest significant president David Potack. capital into automation and productivity. “We understand that the business came When both new facilities are fully staffed and before us and that we should treat it with the operational, the total Unitex employee count is utmost respect,” says Potack. “Our corporate projected to reach 2,000. culture has always been about hard work, As a multigenerational family-owned transparency and aggressively improving how business, how has Unitex been uniquely we run our operations. All of this is done for the positioned to impact the healthcare laundry safety of our team members and the benefit of industry, and how is past success informing the our customers.” Working alongside David these company’s vision for the future? David Potack days are his father, chairman Michael Potack, shared with us his most important guiding and his brother Robert Potack, who serves as principles for building strong leadership. chief executive officer. Another brother, Dr. Jon Potack, is a gastroenterologist and full equity Focus on agility partner in the family company. Potack says Unitex has consistently invested in Since 1922, four generations of the Potack innovation that anticipates evolving industry family have shepherded the growth of Unitex in needs and tailors processing facilities to support the medical uniform and linen rental industry. a wide range of clients, including large acute Today, Unitex processes a staggering 295 million care medical centers, ambulatory and surgical pounds of healthcare laundry annually. Facilities centers, and residential care facilities. are strategically located throughout the “One of the biggest benefits of being a Northeast, and the company operates 365 days closely held family business is that we can a year to ensure that more than 6,000 clients invest significant capital in both greenfield

24 THREADS 2020 SHARING THE EXPERIENCE Unitex president David Potack still remembers his childhood trips to work with his parents. “At first you are overwhelmed by the scale of it,” he says. “I think you don’t have an appreciation until you stand in the middle of a plant.” His reaction was not dissimilar to that of the many guests who tour the Unitex facilities each year. “There is a sort of amazement at all that is going on. Our customers are interested to see the processes in person, and we are happy to share how we operate,” he adds. In addition to running day-to-day operations, the Potack family has worked for the betterment of their industry, opening their facilities to tours by more than 1,400 healthcare laundry professionals as well as numerous hospital infection control managers. Unitex chairman Michael Potack served as past chairman, treasurer and director of the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA), and he was awarded the organization’s Operator Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. The company also strives to pay forward its good fortune. “We are proud of our legacy as a local company and an advocate for our surrounding communities,” says David Potack. “We try to lead by example through our involvement From left: Unitex CEO Robert Potack, president David in a variety of organizations and Potack, and chairman Michael Potack. not-for-profit boards.” Employee feedback often drives sites and upgrades to current processing plants, with the engagement as well. Team members understanding that there is not necessarily an immediate are encouraged to share organizations return,” says Potack. “We take steps that are in the best or initiatives they are passionate about. interest of our company in the long-term, rather than From neighborhood cleanups and having to answer to short-term goals. This long-term Earth Day activities to concerts for reinvestment in our business also helps us expand the retirement home residents, Unitex offerings to our customers.” offers financial, material and resource Decades ago, Unitex began to build specialized plants support to benefit a variety of focused on single end markets, including bulk processing, community stakeholders each year.

Issue 11 25 Unitex milestones uniforms and specialty services. “We view ourselves as a universal provider 1922: Max Potack takes 1995: A fourth generation and have been able to identify and over his two uncles’ coat joins the family business build business units around subsets and apron supply business, as David Potack, one of within the healthcare textile market,” renaming it A&P Coat, Michael’s three sons, is says Potack. “Specialty textiles Apron and Linen Supply. named general manager of require some extra attention, but the uniform and hospitality/ they are vital to our clients’ success.” 1947: The company moves ambulatory facility in That focus has enabled Unitex to tailor from Brooklyn, New York, Mount Vernon, New York. facilities and delivery routes that to the Bronx and adds Unitex immediately moves accommodate both large-scale and laundry service. the facility’s focus from small niche markets. hospitality to healthcare 1963: Max’s son, Bernard accounts. Nurture employee partnerships Potack, takes over the Respect in the workplace is family business. The 2001: Michael’s son Robert paramount. “We’re incredibly company now processes Potack joins the company fortunate to have team members in linen for hospitality, as plant supervisor in the every aspect of our organization with hospital and long-term Bronx processing facility, 10, 15, even 25 years of experience care clients and expands later becoming operations – people we worked with when we the corporate name to manager. were growing up who are still with include Unitex Textile us today,” says Potack. “We want to Rental Services. 2011: Unitex opens its 10th make sure people understand that we facility in New Brunswick, appreciate them. Our employees are 1966: Recent college New Jersey. Processing more the backbone of how we get things graduate Michael Potack than 57 million pounds of done every day.” assumes operating healthcare laundry annually, Opportunities for training responsibilities after his the 60,000-square-foot plant and promotion, events that drive father, Bernard, suffers a is designed to use the least engagement and recognition, and heart attack. amount of water, chemicals corporate cultures that encourage and energy per pound while employee input combine to foster 1972: With the Bronx recycling every consumable. a sense of esprit de corps in the facility at capacity, Unitex workplace. purchases a location in 2017: David becomes Monroe, New York, to president of Unitex. Robert Always add value service acute care clients Potack is named CEO. As healthcare professionals as well as the U.S. Military increasingly face demands on their Academy at West Point. 2020: Unitex continues to time and resources, dependable expand operations, with service providers stand out from 1974: The company buys two new facilities under the pack. a Middletown, New York, development in Lawrence, facility with 100 percent Massachusetts. The state- focus on healthcare. of-the-art processing plants “If we can offer will provide closer proximity, fabrics that are more 1976: Michael becomes sole increased throughput and durable, that may dry owner of the company. further specialization for faster or wear better customers throughout over time, those are the Northeast. benefits we can pass on to our customers.”

David Potack

26 THREADS 2020 “We set out each day to do the best job we can for people,” says Potack. “We have made it a critical focus to stay ahead of healthcare trends in order to offer consistent, reliable service to our customers.” For example, Potack notes the increased emphasis on infection prevention and compliance. “More and more, customers need to be comfortable with how textiles are processed,” he says. Take advantage of opportunities to offer onsite training to hospital staff on topics including proper handling of soiled textiles, linen loss and inventory management through linen awareness days or other events. Unitex processes 295 million pounds of Given ongoing challenges with healthcare laundry annually. infectious outbreaks, natural disasters and extreme weather conditions, demonstrating emergency preparedness capabilities to clients is implementing technology to improve provides laundries with a platform to increasingly vital. “We’ve been able to fleet route optimization and fuel bring additional value to their hospital help customers through challenging conservation, and highlighting and ambulatory clients. times, and we are steadfast in our environmental best practices commitment to offering absolute during informational plant tours. Never take it for granted reliability,” says Potack. In addition to Additionally, Unitex recycles more When they were raising their boys, having capacity to expand to second than 1.5 million pounds of plastic Michael Potack and his wife, Randi, and third shifts should the need arise, annually. made sure the brothers developed Unitex has a mobile generator that a strong work ethic. The three can reach any of its facilities within Follow textile trends youngsters did everything from two hours to run operations at full Today’s range of textile choices offer laboring in the processing facilities to capacity. antimicrobial properties, withstand driving delivery trucks, and they spent more wash cycles, require reduced school breaks and summer vacations Safeguard the environment drying time and operational costs, and learning about every task firsthand. “Sustainability is inherent to the raise the bar in terms of employee and “No company is easy to run, but reusable textile industry and the patient comfort. we view ourselves as incredibly products we promote,” says Potack. “The evolution of textiles is fortunate,” says David Potack. “For “It is certainly reflected in how our something we pay close attention to,” any family business, I would tell company has reinvested in newer, says Potack. “If we can offer fabrics future generations to put forth the more efficient equipment to reduce that are more durable, that may dry effort to truly understand what it has water, electric and natural gas usage. faster or wear better over time, those taken to get to this point and where We are consuming far fewer resources are benefits we can pass on to our the challenges and opportunities lie in our processes compared to even 10 customers.” Additionally, as more moving forward. At the end of the years ago.” people in healthcare are wearing day, it comes down to reliability of That green mindset informs some type of uniform, demand is service and execution if companies decisions throughout plant increasing for garments that deliver hope to enjoy lasting partnerships operations, including adopting 100 enhanced comfort and fit. Leveraging with their customers.” percent organic cleaning chemicals, partnerships with textile vendors

Issue 11 27 INFECTION PREVENTION

The next generation of hand hygiene compliance

Improving behavior monitoring through technology is key Hand hygiene is a vital element of allowing for potential contamination developing today. Measuring hand infection control and patient safety of the soap. Then the first sealed hygiene behavior historically has been in the healthcare environment. And it sanitary soap container – essentially done by using direct observation, has come a long way since the 1970s, a bag in a box – was invented. “Pretty but multiple studies have shown that as major market disruptions have much all dispensers you see on the method to be flawed. changed healthcare handwashing market today use that concept of a “The use of direct observation products and procedures. sealed sanitary cartridge,” says Alper. produces artificially high compliance “These are persistent disruptions Fast forward to the 1980s and rates,” says Alper. “The compliance that have shaped and framed 1990s, when alcohol-based hand rate when being observed was around the market,” says Paul Alper, vice sanitizer emerged as the next major 90 percent, and 30 percent when not president of patient safety innovation disruption to the practice of hand being observed.” These compliances at Medline Industries, Inc. He hygiene. Although there was some rates are based on a 2014 study,1 believes that by looking to the past, initial skepticism in the infection according to Alper. the healthcare industry can better control community, the use of Now companies have developed understand how to improve hand hand sanitizer ultimately became a “smart dispensers” with monitoring hygiene in the present. mandate from the Centers for Disease technologies that electronically Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2002 measure behavior. “They have been From soap to sanitizer and remains in effect today, according proven much more accurate and Beginning in the 1970s, the way to Alper. reliable,” says Alper. “But due to cost soap was dispensed underwent and not being as user-friendly as they a significant change. Soap had New monitoring technologies potentially could be, there has not previously been poured from gallon The third major market disruption been widespread adoption.” jugs into open-reservoir dispensers, began in the 2010s and is still

28 THREADS 2020 As hand hygiene measurement continues to evolve, it’s important for healthcare organizations to put the latest 7 STEPS best practices in place. Paul Alper, vice president of patient TO HAND safety innovation at Medline HYGIENE Industries, Inc., recommends following these seven steps to COMPLIANCE ensure good compliance.

The future of hand hygiene 1 Assign responsibility for hand hygiene While only a small percentage compliance to individual units. of hospitals have adopted smart dispensers, the technology is 2 Identify obstacles to compliance within each unit. becoming more sophisticated and accurate. Alper points to the first 3 Set goals for compliance. study demonstrating infection reduction linked to the use of 4 Establish psychological safety so that people are able to talk electronic monitoring technology, to one another about their behavior and not fear reprisal. published in the American Journal of Infection Control in 2016.2 5 Measure compliance with recognized standards, such as “If we look at a typical adoption the World Health Organization’s My 5 Moments for Hand curve, it takes 10 years for new Hygiene, and give routine feedback. technology [to become widespread] from the time first evidence is 6 Celebrate success each time the unit meets its goals. shown,” he says. “Sometime between now and the middle of 7 Engage leadership so that everyone in the C-suite embraces the [2020s] decade is a realistic hand hygiene goals and models compliance behavior. target for adoption to become more widespread.”

While this new technology has REFERENCES the potential to overhaul how the 1. “Quantification of the Hawthorne Effect in Hand Hygiene Compliance Monitoring Using an Electronic Monitoring System: a Retrospective Cohort Study.” BMJ Quality & Safety. healthcare industry approaches hand July 7, 2014. https://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/qhc/23/12/974.full.pdf. hygiene, it is important for facilities 2. “Electronic Hand Hygiene Monitoring as a Tool for Reducing Health Care-Associated to review their strategies now, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection.” American Journal of Infection Control. Aug. 1, 2016. https://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(16)30340-6/pdf. advises Alper. It is easy to become complacent, particularly if the direct observation method puts compliance in the 90 to 100 percent range. “We haven’t solved hand hygiene. Compliance rates are typically in the 30 to 40 percent range when measured accurately and reliably,” says Alper. “The biggest lesson to learn is that Paul Alper is vice president of patient we need direct observation as a safety innovation at Medline Industries, coaching and feedback tool, and Inc. A researcher, innovator and patient we need electronic monitoring for safety strategist for more than 35 years, he measurement. The combination of has been a significant contributor to advancements those two will probably be the future in infection prevention and patient safety. standard of care.”

Issue 11 29

FEATURE

On-the-job

laundry learning Ashley Oandasan is an associate Medline product managers boost product manager in their laundry knowledge firsthand the Textiles Division at Medline. She oversees a variety of Supplying fresh, clean and folded textiles to hospitals and product categories, including patient healthcare facilities around the country is a mammoth task, gowns, pajamas and robes. with key stakeholders contributing to one another’s success. Medline associate product managers LaRyssa Randall and Ashley Oandasan recently opted to learn more about the process by spending a day working alongside employees at a healthcare laundry and linen rental company. Seeing how the laundry works in real time helped both of them broaden their knowledge of their customers’ challenges and goals, they say. LaRyssa Randall “It really grounded me to see the effort our laundry partners is an associate give to ensure that Medline’s end users are receiving a high- product manager quality product, day after day,” says Randall. “Our laundry clients are our ambassadors, helping us ensure a overseeing patient positive user experience for our product lines,” adds Oandasan. apparel in the Textiles Division at Medline. “When we work together to develop visual guidelines for product She is a former EMT and graduated life cycles, we keep linens in circulation and replace them at from the University of Illinois with a appropriate intervals. It is rewarding to offer our customers degree in healthcare administration and products that not only look fresh and vibrant but also function management. well in the healthcare environment.”

Help us recognize your dedicated EVS team Help us pay tribute to the dedication and effort of EVS team members – healthcare’s front line in the battle against hospital-associated infections – by nominating your EVS department for the Medline EVS Superstars – VIPs of Clean Award. Let us know how your team promotes excellence through novel cleaning processes, top-notch training programs or impactful patient satisfaction scores. The winning team will be recognized during National Health Care Environmental Services Week in September, and will be featured in a future issue of Threads.

Here’s how to nominate your EVS Superstars:

Complete a submission form at Email your submission to: www.medline.com. OR [email protected].

The deadline for submissions is Aug. 28, 2020. The winner will be announced on Sept. 7, 2020.

30 THREADS 2020 Clean by the book.

Clean by Sequence®— ERASE Pathogens™ for the O.R. Many critical operating room surfaces are vulnerable to the spread of pathogens.1 Our Clean by Sequence process uses a numbered microfiber booklet, a “hot spot” map and a disinfectant—making it easy to train, implement and follow.

Clean like lives depend on it. Contact your Medline representative or call 1-800-MEDLINE to learn more.

Medline Industries, Inc. | Three Lakes Drive, Northfield, IL 60093 | 1-800-MEDLINE (633-5463)

Reference: 1. Guidelines for Perioperative Practice. Denver, CO: AORN, Inc; 2020:151-182. © 2020 Medline Industries, Inc. ERASE Pathogens is a trademark and Clean by Sequence and Medline are registered trademarks of Medline Industries, Inc. MKT19W707721 / 23 Medline Industries, Inc. Three Lakes Drive Northfield, IL 60093

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