Survey Says Healthcare Industry, Public Believe Commercially Laundered Textiles are More Hygienic

Two national surveys recently completed by opinion and research firm Fabrizio Ward found an overwhelming segment of both the public and healthcare decision-makers agree professional textile services for lab coats, scrubs, gowns and other garments are cleaner and more hygienic. The surveys were commissioned by TRSA, a global textile services trade association headquartered in Alexandria, Va.

By reaching out to both textile service decision makers and consumers nationally, the survey found within the healthcare industry:
- 82 percent of healthcare company decision makers feel rented lab coats, gowns, scrubs and uniforms are more hygienic
- 83 percent of consumers say a professional launderer provides a cleaner lab coat vs. workers cleaning those coats themselves
- 68 percent of consumers are concerned when seeing medical professionals wearing scrubs outside of a medical facility
- Two-thirds of hospitals have a problem with linen loss

“This survey data is telling us there are universal concerns about hygienic lab coats and other healthcare garments,” says Joseph Ricci, president and CEO of TRSA. “The industry and the public agree professional textile services providers offer cleaner, more hygienic hospital garments. And since seeing those garments outside a healthcare facility is a concern for the public, partnering with a reputable commercial laundry can significantly address these concerns.”

In addition, Fabrizio Ward found two thirds of hospitals struggle with linen loss issues. This is consistent with previous research conducted by TRSA, which found linen loss typically costs the healthcare industry more than $840 million per year. The complete surveys are available for download at www.trsa.org/research

The two surveys were completed between Feb. 24 and March 9, 2015 by Fort Lauderdale-based Fabrizio Ward. The business-to-business survey was conducted across the healthcare, hospitality, food and beverage and industrial sectors. Consumers were asked for their views on textile-related issues with healthcare, hospitality and food and beverage businesses.

Source: TRSA