As Needed Bed Change Linen Policy Team Members: Mary Mathew, Curtis Pouncy, Carl Powell, and Bill Brown

Opportunity Statement: Improve LUHS’ linen utilization as well as decrease our linen processing and replacement costs throughout the organization

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

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.

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;

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?”

Results: Data Analysis Pounds Per Patient Day Rate Pounds of Linen Per Patient Day Jul-04 Sep-04 Nov-04 Jan-05 Feb Mean = Target = Pounds We were able to reduce linen pounds per patient day while maintaining a higher census, and reducing our overall Linen purchases.

Data: Cost Savings Rate Jul-04 Sep-04 Nov-04 Jan-05 Feb Mean = Pounds Per Patient Day Cost Savings TOTAL LAUNDRY AND LINEN COST PER PATIENT DAY SEPTEMBER 2002 $ SEPTEMBER 2004 $ 9.62

Results: POUNDS PER PATIENT DAY SEPTEMBER PATIENT DAYS SEPTEMBER ,131 POUNDS PER PATIENT DAY SEPTEMBER PATIENT DAYS SEPTEMBER ,875

Conclusions: By instituting our formal “As Needed Bed Change” Policy, LUHS has reduced it’s Linen pounds per patient day by 4 pounds per patient day.

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