Our Blog

Healthcare Linen Safety: How Professional Laundry Services Protect Patients and Staff

• September 09, 2025
• Recent News
• Century Linen Services

Every healthcare facility faces the same challenge: keeping infections from spreading while managing dozens of daily operations. You focus on patient care, staff training, and medical protocols. But there’s another critical piece most people overlook—the thousands of textile items that cycle through your building every week. 

When these items aren’t processed correctly, they become vectors for the very problems you’re trying to prevent.  

Since 1915, Century Linen & Uniform has worked exclusively with healthcare facilities throughout New York and New England. We understand that medical laundry isn’t about convenience or cost savings. It’s about creating one more barrier between your patients and preventable harm. 

Why Healthcare Linen Safety Is Essential in This Industry 

Every patient touches hospital linens. Bed sheets, gowns, towels, and staff scrubs aren’t just fabric items. They move between patients, rooms, and departments all day long. When they’re not handled right, they spread germs instead of stopping them. 

The Center for Disease Control found that contaminated hospital fabrics can harbor massive bacterial loads, resulting in up to 100 million colony-forming units per square inch when they’re heavily soiled with blood, urine, or other body fluids.  

That’s a lot of dangerous microbes sitting on something that’s supposed to help people heal. CDC investigators have tracked multiple infection outbreaks back to contaminated linens that got mishandled during washing, transport, or storage.  

Dirty linens don’t just create infection risks. They hurt patient satisfaction and put healthcare workers in danger too. Professional linen services know how to make textiles truly safe, not just visually clean. 

Accredited Processes That Guarantee Safety 

Century Linen & Uniform operates a dedicated healthcare plant and service center that holds TSRA Certification. This means independent infection control professionals review and verify the company’s processes on a regular basis. Every sheet, gown, and scrub delivered has passed through a documented system designed to eliminate pathogens and protect fabric quality. 

Our Clean Green Certification highlights an added commitment to sustainability. Their facilities conserve water, reduce energy use, and minimize waste while delivering hygienically clean textiles. This balance of safety and environmental responsibility provides a cleaner and greener solution for healthcare facilities across the region. 

Patient Comfort and Satisfaction Depend on Linen 

Healthcare Linen Safety is not just about avoiding contamination. Patients also deserve comfort. A crisp, soft gown communicates dignity and respect in ways a thin disposable garment never could. Clean sheets and quality blankets contribute to a more positive recovery experience. 

Century selects its products with both comfort and safety in mind. Gowns, pillowcases, towels, and scrubs are carefully chosen for durability, appearance, and patient satisfaction. Facilities that rely on professional service can count on their patients receiving consistent quality every time. 

Protecting Staff Through Safer Uniforms 

Healthcare workers also benefit directly from safe linen programs. Uniform rental services supply staff with clean, protective garments that are processed to healthcare standards. Each item is repaired or replaced when needed, ensuring staff never wear uniforms that are worn out or contaminated. 

Century supports this effort with advanced technology. Many uniforms are equipped with RFID chips, allowing facilities to track usage and reduce loss. This level of accountability improves compliance and provides peace of mind.  

On-Site Support and Daily Management 

Professional laundry services go beyond cleaning. Century assigns each facility a Service Manager who serves as the direct point of contact. This manager ensures orders are complete, resolves issues quickly, and conducts account reviews to keep the program aligned with the facility’s needs. 

Clients also have access to multiple levels of management, including the company’s owners, for hands-on support. This structure reflects Century’s long-standing belief that service is about partnership, not just delivery. 

Services That Protect Patients and Staff 

Century Linen & Uniform provides a full range of healthcare solutions that support linen safety, including: 

• Patient linen and apparel rental

• Medical apparel rental

• Surgical linen rental

• Scrub programs

• Uniform rental

• Resident clothing wash service

• Floor mop and mat exchange service

• Customer-owned goods laundering

• On-site laundry and linen management 

These services support every aspect of a healthcare facility, from patient rooms to surgical areas to staff uniforms. Each program is designed with infection control, comfort, and efficiency in mind. 

Over a Century of Experience in Healthcare Linen Safety 

Founded in 1915, Century Linen & Uniform has grown into one of the largest and most advanced providers in the region. Despite that growth, the company continues to focus on the principles that have guided it for more than 100 years: protecting patients, supporting staff, and delivering reliable service. Innovating with technology, delivering with care, Century brings both modern tools and a personal commitment to every client. 

With multiple local plants, a large delivery fleet, and emergency backup always ready, Century provides healthcare facilities in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and surrounding areas with confidence in their linen programs. 

Partner With a Professional Linen Service That Puts Safety First 

Healthcare Linen Safety cannot be left to chance. Patients and staff depend on linens that are consistently clean, comfortable, and safe. Professional laundry services ensure every item supports infection prevention while maintaining patient dignity and staff protection. 

Century Linen & Uniform combines accredited processes, advanced technology, and over a century of experience to deliver programs that make healthcare safer. 

Get in touch with us to schedule a free needs analysis and discover how Century can strengthen safety and efficiency in your facility.