Va adds silver to dirty laundry to kill germs | va eastern oklahoma health care | veterans affairs

Last fall, the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System and Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System began using innovative antimicrobial technology involving silver ions to combat harmful

bacteria, mold, and mildew in their hospital laundries. “We adopted this new technology because it has proven to be an important infection control layer for launderable soft goods such as

patient linens, sheets, pillowcases, and scrubs in the hospital industry,” said Weston Phillips, Environmental Management Service (EMS) assistant chief. Even before the pandemic, VA health

care facilities in Oklahoma were already focused on environmental cleanliness and infection prevention and control. They added pulsed, high energy, broad spectrum UV light technology, which

kills deadly microorganisms, to their traditional disinfection processes. Now, Oklahoma VA facilities have taken the infection control fight to the laundry room. By introducing this

antimicrobial component during the rinse cycle, silver ions are dispensed into laundry machines and become infused on textiles such as linens and gowns. After the laundry process, the silver

ions remain infused in the textiles which continues to kill harmful pathogens. This ultimately helps prevent health care-associated infections. “The process, approved by the Environmental

Protection Agency, effectively keeps pathogens off linens during storage and ensures they are pathogen-free even when they are placed into patient care areas,” said John Barbee, an EMS

technical career field trainee. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly one in 31 hospital patients has at least one health care-associated infection on any

given day. While the antimicrobial properties of silver have been known for centuries, researchers have discovered that silver ions play a significant role in killing germs and even help

combat antiobiotic-resistant 'superbugs' in the health care environment. “VA is usually at the forefront of using new technology,” said Phillips “With the ongoing threat from

emerging pathogens, we are always on the lookout for new technologies so we can continue to provide best-in-class care for our Veterans.”