[Please click here to download benefits of accreditation in pdf format.]
To understand the benefits of being accredited by HLAC,we should first ask the questions,“Why an accreditation program at all,” and then,“Why HLAC?”
Why an Accreditation Program?
We developed this program to meet the desire among many healthcare laundry operators for an independent inspection and accrediting program that would result in formal recognition (if they passed) that they meet high standards for processing healthcare textiles. No current program is as detailed as ours, or applies to all types of laundry operations: on-premise, co-op,and commercial.We are not in competition with, nor do we feel we conflict with, any other accrediting organization, including JCAHO.
Why HLAC?
No neutral organization existed that could offer the program desired, so an industry task force created HLAC in July 2005. The HLAC Board of Directors was carefully recruited to represent all interested parties in the healthcare laundry industry: the laundries themselves, their employees, and, most importantly, their healthcare facility customers. No single voice dominates the board. It is truly independent, and will work in the best interests of the industry and its customers.A list of board members is on this website.
What are the benefits of being accredited?
The principal benefit of being accredited is that an independent third party has inspected your facility and found that it meets or exceeds the highest standards for processing healthcare textiles. A laundry cannot inspect and accredit itself, and its customers generally do not have the time or expertise to perform a comprehensive
inspection.
An HLAC-accredited laundry has demonstrated that:
• Its managers understand and follow key government mandates for handling, processing, and transporting healthcare textiles. In particular, the laundry is following OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard to the letter.
• Its facility is designed and maintained to provide for the health and safety of its personnel.
• Its personnel who handle healthcare textiles are properly trained.
• It follows recommended “good industry practices” in its systems, policies, and procedures that will provide the consistent delivery of healthcare textiles in the quality and quantity expected by the customer.
• It is committed to excellence and challenging itself to meet the highest industry standards.
What is the benefit to the healthcare customer?
The principal benefit to the healthcare customer is the knowledge and confidence that their textile provider is meeting or exceeding the highest standards for processing healthcare textiles in the industry, including strict adherence to federal government regulations and guidelines.The customer can expect a consistent and smooth flow of clean textiles.
