PURPOSE OF ORDER:
The purpose of this order is to establish procedures regarding the processing of soiled inmate clothing and linen within the Inmate Reception Center (IRC).
SCOPE OF ORDER:
This order shall apply to all personnel assigned to and/or working in any capacity at IRC, specifically to personnel assigned to the logistics section, handling soiled laundry.
ORDER:
Custody personnel shall ensure clothing items are not mixed with trash during the clean-up following inmate clothing exchange. Custody line, release and the extended medical areas of the clinic (Module 231/241) are provided two trash bins per area. Inmates will separate their trash and any county issued clothing. If inmates are located in the extended medical areas of the clinic (Module 231/241), they shall also separate their trash from county issued clothing and linens. Once separated, under the direct supervision of custody personnel, inmate workers will conduct a secondary search of the trash and retrieve any clothing or linen placed in the trash bin.
Any clothing item, linen, or bedding material that is suspected to be contaminated with a bio-solid material shall be treated as such by inmate workers and personnel. When personnel or inmate workers are handling these materials, they shall wear gloves and wash their hands after completing the task. Additionally, the proper cleaning agent (i.e., Citrus Cide or any appropriate chemical agent issued by IRC Supply), shall be used to properly disinfect contaminated mattresses, cells, walls and/or the floor, if necessary.
Use of (RED) Bio-Hazard Bags for Contaminated Items
All contaminated items shall be placed in the designated (RED) Bio-Hazard, water-soluble bags prior to being sent to the laundry. Bio hazard bags will be kept at each work location by medical staff within IRC. In the event a (RED) Bio-Hazard bag is not available, personnel shall use a clear plastic bag enclosed within a secondary bag, to separate soiled clothing and/or linen. Bags shall be clearly marked, identifying the suspected bio-solid material. These bags shall be separated from general laundry items due to the contamination. The disposition of the items will be determined by laundry staff (i.e. sanitize or destroy).
Custody staff shall request the (RED) Bio-Hazard bags from medical personnel when needed.
Bio-Hazardous Plastic Waste Bag Specifications
The plastic bags (or liners) shall be the appropriate size and shape for use in each designated container. The bag will be red in color, labeled with the international ‘BIO-HAZARD’ symbol and have warnings written in English and Spanish. The bags will meet the American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM) 165-gram dart test and Elmedorf tear test.
Laundry infested with lice, crabs, mites or any other parasite shall be placed in a clear plastic bag which shall be enclosed inside a second plastic bag. The bag shall be sealed and labeled “CONTAMINATED LAUNDRY” and sent to the laundry for proper handling and disposal.
Processing of (Full) Laundry Bins
As needed, custody personnel will take full laundry bins to the designated storage area in bath rear.
IRC logistics will pick up the full laundry bins from this area and take them to the back hallway behind custody line for final sorting.
Final Laundry Sorting Process
During the final sorting of laundry, the assigned logistics personnel and inmate workers shall wear gloves and ensure they use caution when sorting through the soiled laundry. Clothing and/or linen shall not be shaken at any time. Extreme caution shall be taken if any clothing is suspected to be contaminated with blood, fecal matter, bodily fluids, or infested with vermin.
Clothing or linen suspected of being contaminated shall be handled in accordance with the procedures outlined in this unit order. Additionally, all clothing and linen that was in contact with the suspected clothing or linen shall be treated as possibly contaminated.
Soiled laundry items are sorted by type, placed on linen sheets and tied in a bundle. Upon completion of sorting soiled laundry, all bundles shall be placed back into the laundry bins, including the (RED) tied/closed Bio-Hazard bags with soiled laundry. The bins shall be delivered to the Twin Towers Correctional Facility (TTCF) Tower Two Dock for pick up by Laundry Services from Pitchess Detention Center.