Preface

This is the second edition of CSA Z314.10.2, Laundering, maintenance, and preparation of reusable gowns, drapes, and wrappers in health care settings. It replaces the previous edition published in 2010. It is one of the CSA Z314 series of Standards dealing with decontamination, disinfection, and sterilization.

This Standard has been revised to work in tandem with applicable requirements of CSA Z314.0, Medical device reprocessing - General requirements, CSA Z314.10.1, Selection and use of gowns and drapes intended for use in health care settings, and other standards in the CSA Z314 series.

Introduction

Reusable gowns, drapes, and wrappers are important elements of infection prevention and control programs within health care settings. The safety of patients and staff depends on the correct choice of products for each purpose, and on the maintenance of the products' protective qualities through proper use and care. Misuse or improper laundering can significantly decrease the protective qualities of gowns, drapes, and wrappers, thereby increasing the risk posed to patients and staff, as well as increasing costs.

This Standard specifies requirements for the maintenance and laundering of reusable gowns, drapes, and wrappers, and provides this information for health care settings and their laundries, whether in- house or outsourced. It is intended to ensure the safety and serviceability of surgical gowns, isolation gowns, drapes, and wrappers, and to promote safe infection prevention and control practices for the protection of patients and health care personnel. It might also be useful to health care settings that need to evaluate the capabilities of facilities offering contract services connected with the laundering of reusable gowns, drapes, and wrappers.

This Standard is intended to be used with CSA Z314.10.1, CSA Z314.14, and relevant aspects of CSA Z314.0 and other applicable standards in the CSA Z314 series.

Scope

1.1
This Standard defines essential elements in the maintenance, laundering, and preparation of reusable gowns, drapes, and wrappers in health care settings and laundry services.

1.2
This Standard specifies requirements for

a) the health care setting's and laundry service's care of reusable gowns, drapes, and wrappers;

b) occupational health and safety for staff members involved in reusable laundering;

c) physical requirements for laundering areas;

Note: Users should also refer to CSA Z314.0.

d) maintenance and repairs of laundering equipment;

e) handling, transportation, and storage of soiled and laundered textiles;

f) laundering;

g) process monitoring and process management (testing); and

h) emergency planning.

1.3
This Standard does not cover

a) the selection and use of gowns and drapes (see CSA Z314.10.1);

b) the selection and use of wrappers (see CSA Z314.14);

c) sterilization (see CSA Z314.3 and CSA Z314.23); and

d) the laundry of reusable medical devices other than gowns, drapes, and wrappers (see CSA Z314.0, CSA Z314.3, CSA Z314.8, CSA Z314.14, and CSA Z314.23).

1.4
In this Standard, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard.

Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.

Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.

Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.

1.5
The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Standard. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.