Hospital Checklist for Linen Misuse/Abuse

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Yes No

Is there an active Linen Committee in place? If so, are nursing and O.R. areas
actively represented?

Does the hospital have a bed change policy in place?

Are linen closet doors kept shut and/or locked? Are chute rooms and soiled
storage areas also kept locked?

If linen carts are stored in hallways, are they located in a position where they can
be observed from nurses’ station? Do nurses generally monitor carts, or actively
confront any thievery?

Is the central linen room and the soiled linen storeroom locked when not occupied
or after normal operating hours?

Is access to linen rooms restricted after hours, and are there locked emergency
linen closets that nurses can obtain linen from whenever the main linen room is
closed? Is linen removed during off hours signed for?

Are uniform storage areas and issue rooms subject to the above mentioned
security measures?

When visiting patient areas, is there an inappropriate surplus of clean linen being
“stored” in patient rooms (e.g., on window sills, at the foot of a bed, in drawers and
closets).

Are linens used for purposes other than for what they are intended, such as: props,
positioners, and supports; covers for air conditioner or heating vents; chair covers
and chair cushions; shelf liners; bibs; place mats; etc.?

Is there a formal system/procedure in place for linen users to return stained/torn

linen back to the laundry?

Are rags issued to maintenance and housekeeping? If so are they/can they be

dyed a distinguishable color?

Are good linens being used by housekeeping or maintenance for cleaning cloths,
drop cloths, or paint covers, etc.?

Are there good linens (towels/wash cloths) stored on individual housekeeping

carts?

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 Hospital Checklist for Linen Misuse/Abuse

Yes No

Are good linens being used to clean up leaks and puddles?

Are soiled linen and trash being stored in the same area? If so, are different color
bags or clear bags being used to prevent mix-ups?

Are employees keeping scrubs and other hospital owned garments in their lockers?
Do they take them off the premises?

Does security occasionally inspect employee lockers? Does security stop

employees, visitors, and patients for theft prevention?

What is done when employees are openly wearing scrubs in the parking lot or off
premises? ________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Does the hospital have a strict scrub wear authorization policy that identifies those
departments authorized to wear scrubs? Does security and department heads
enforce the policy?

Are hospital issued scrubs marked?

Are scrubs stored in secure areas, preferably under lock and key or are they simply
delivered upon request to open areas (like sheets, towels, etc.)?

Are departments accountable for purchasing scrubs? Is there any individual

budget line item that charges scrubs to each using department?

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