Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council Announces 2013 Board of Directors

The Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC) announces its 2013 board of directors.
 
The 2013 officers include:
 
- President - Rocco Romeo, Chief Executive Officer, HLS Linen Services, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
 
- Vice President - Chuck Rossmiller, Regional Manager, Midwest, Crothall Laundry Services, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
 
- Secretary/Treasurer - Robert Potack, Vice President, Operations, Unitex Textile Rental Services, Mt. Vernon, New York
 
- Immediate Past President - Nancy Bjerke, BSN, RN, MPH, CIC, APIC Practice Guidance Council, San Antonio, Texas
 
- Director-At-Large - Bradley J. Bushman, Vice President, Technical Affairs, Standard Textile Company, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio
 
The HLAC board of directors continuing their terms into 2013 are:
 
- Gregory Gicewicz, President, Sterile Surgical Systems, Tumwater, Washington
 
- Sandra J. Hensley, RN, MSEM, BSN, CIC, Infection Control Practitioner, University of Toledo Medical Center, Holland, Ohio
 
- Rick Kislia, Chief Operating Officer, Crescent Laundry, Davenport,Iowa
 
- Deborah R. Lark, Chief Operating Officer, Portland Hospital Service Corporation, Portland, Oregon
 
- John Scherberger, CHESP, President, Healthcare Risk Mitigation, Inc., Spartanburg, South Carolina

HLAC welcomes two new members to the 2013 HLAC board of directors:
 
- Myles Noel, Chief Operating Officer, COMTEX (Central Ohio Medical Textiles)
Columbus, Ohio
 
- Neil Pascoe, RN, BSN, CIC, Nurse Epidemiologist, Texas Department of State Health Services, San Antonio, Texas
 
"HLAC made significant progress in many different areas this past year. Thanks to a strong dynamic board and leadership team, HLAC continued to grow, ensuring its presence as the premier accrediting body in the healthcare laundry industry," says HLAC president Rocco Romeo, of HLS Linen Services. 
 
The new HLAC Standards were successfully implemented, including the introduction of Part III, Surgical Pack Assembly Room Standards for the Operating Room. Accreditation, standards and best practices have become increasingly important as healthcare professionals come under increased pressure for improved patient outcomes ensuring adherence to appropriate infection control practices.
 
"Laundries seeking accreditation do so voluntarily and demonstrate their commitment to healthcare customers and patients by promoting a culture of excellence and continuous process improvement," says Romeo. 
 
There are currently more than 170 accredited HLAC laundries. HLAC continued its expansion this year as a recognized accreditation body outside of the United States with laundries being accredited in Mexico and Israel and two laundries reaccredited in Canada. Additional opportunities exist in other countries and will be pursued in 2013.
 
HLAC is introducing a series of webinars in 2013 that will assist laundries seeking accreditation and promote patient safety and infection control.
 
Romeo adds, "As HLAC looks ahead to 2013, it will continue to build on its past success advancing HLAC's mission and vision as well as its commitment to promote excellence in healthcare textile processing. Look for new and exciting developments throughout 2013."
 
Founded in 2005, HLAC's mission is to accredit laundries processing healthcare textiles based on the highest standards for patient safety and infection prevention. HLAC is organized as an independent council that developed comprehensive Accreditation Standards for laundries processing healthcare textiles for hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities. 

Source: Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC)