New President Eyes Growth in HLAC-Accredited Laundries as the No. 1 Priority in 2014

The new president of the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC), Gregory Gicewicz, says that achieving significant growth in the number of HLAC-accredited laundries worldwide will be the top priority in 2014. Gicewicz envisions a world where the industry norm is for all hospital linens to be processed by an HLAC-accredited laundry.

"I believe that by significantly growing the number of accredited laundries worldwide, we are able to have the largest positive impact possible on patient safety," he said in a message viewable on HLAC's website.

In his message, Gicewicz cited three growth opportunities: HLAC's existing customer base, small independent laundries and international laundries. He said the plan to reach these markets will focus on strategic communications, greater educational awareness and increased involvement in healthcare-related organizations and conferences.

Regarding HLAC's existing customer base, Gicewicz said, "We need to service these customers with timely skillful communications; a thorough and professional inspection experience; and most of all the most comprehensive, relevant, and targeted healthcare laundry standards available. If HLAC executes on these three things, these customers will grow with us, re-accredit with HLAC, and their colleagues will come along with us."

He said the small independent laundries are a big opportunity because HLAC accreditation "gives them an instant boost in credibility and helps them to compete against their larger more entrenched competitors. It also helps them to learn best practices and put out a better, safer product."

While HLAC has made some progress accrediting international laundries, Gicewicz said, "We have by no means achieved critical mass in this important segment. Imagine a world in which HLAC accreditation is the gold standard for all healthcare laundries not only in the U.S. but worldwide I think we have the foundation to make it happen eventually."

Source: Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC)