+---------------------------------+-----------------------+------------+
| **BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL           | GCRC POLICY: IC-05    | PAGE 1 OF  |
| LABORATORY**                    |                       | 2          |
|                                 |                       |            |
| **GENERAL CLINICAL RESEARCH     |                       |            |
| CENTER POLICY**                 |                       |            |
+---------------------------------+-----------------------+------------+
|                                 | PREPARED BY: B. Pyatt |            |
|                                 | Infection Control     |            |
+---------------------------------+-----------------------+------------+
| SUBJECT: Laundry                | REVIEWED BY: W.       |            |
|                                 | Gunther GCRC Manager  |            |
+---------------------------------+-----------------------+------------+
|                                 | APPROVED BY: G. J     |            |
|                                 | Wang Medical Dept.    |            |
|                                 | Chair                 |            |
+---------------------------------+-----------------------+------------+
|                                 | EFFECTIVE DATE:       |            |
|                                 | 11-30-07              |            |
+---------------------------------+-----------------------+------------+
|                                 | REVISION HISTORY: 5   |            |
+---------------------------------+-----------------------+------------+

**1.0** **[PURPOSE AND SCOPE]{.underline}**

This document describes the processes whereby dirty laundry is
collected/transported for cleaning and the clean laundry distributed to
the users. It also includes Veterinary Services laundry.

**2. 0** **[POLICIES]{.underline}**

This policy is established to ensure that the dirty laundry holding area
is planned, equipped and ventilated so as to prevent the dissemination
of contaminants. Soiled linen is collected and handled in a manner to
avoid microbial dissemination into the environment.

It is the responsibility of each program to provide clean clinical
laundry for all clinical protocols and make sure it has the necessary
supplies. Investigators should contact Plant Engineering Site
Maintenance Superintenent ext. 3085 if they require assistance in any
matter. If items are not available/acceptable to the investigator, then
new items can be ordered. Each item to be laundered must be stenciled or
written on with indelible ink identifying your group and building
number. **If this is not done laundry will not be returned to the
owner.**

**3.0** **[PROCEDURES]{.underline}**

In building 490, all staff members are to deposit dirty laundry in Room
5-102. The room is ventilated and separated from other activities or
staff. Room 5-102 is equipped with two containers each having a pull
string bag to collect the laundry. Each is clearly marked to indicate
that they are dirty laundry bins. Tag closed bag(s) with your group name
and building 490. Use a BNL vehicle to transport the laundry from a
satellite facility. Leave bag(s) in Room 5-102 for pick up-any bin.
Laundry pickup and drop off days are Mondays and Fridays at Bldg. 490.
Clean Laundry will be returned to Room 5-102 in Bldg. 490. Laundry will
be wrapped and separated by group. In with the clean laundry you will
again receive clean, canvas bags to use for the next loads of dirty
laundry.

Each Group responsible for collecting dirty laundry shall be relied upon
to prepare and store dirty laundry in accordance with the procedures
established in Section 5.10 of Dept. Guideline, IC-12, "Housekeeping".

**Non-radioactive dirty laundry** is picked up and delivered by a firm
contracted with the Plant Engineering Division (Mattituck Main Road
Laundry). All satellite facilities are required to temporarily store
dirty laundry in accordance with the procedures included in Section 5.10
of Dept. Guideline (IC-12, \"Housekeeping\"). The PET Facility laundry
is picked up and dropped by PET personnel, as is the MRI laundry.

**Potentially radioactive dirty laundry**: The Medical Department's
Positron Emission Tomography and Cyclotron facilities frequently require
the use of red-trimmed lab coats as personnel protective equipment as is
required by the associated Radiological Work Permit(s). These 2
facilities use isotopes with short half-lives (\<2hours,i.e., ^11^C and
^18^F). Therefore, due to the sanitary requirements associated with
these facilities, the following rules shall pertain to the cleaning of
these coats before they are released for laundering.

1.  The red-trimmed lab coats shall be clearly marked as being from the
    "PET/ Cyclotron" facility

2.  The "PET-Cyclotron marked red-trimmed lab coats shall
    [only]{.underline} be used with short-lived (\<2 hour) isotopes
    (i.e., ^11^C, and ^18^F).

3.  The red-trimmed lab coats shall only be laundered after they have
    been through at least eleven half-lives of decay for the longest
    lived isotope used.

4.  A qualified Facility Support technician shall perform a release
    survey on the lab coats after the decay period and prior to removal
    from either PET or Cyclotron and delivery to 490.

The contractor uses separate containers for transporting clean and
soiled linen. It is transported in large open tubs on a panel truck with
the back door open. Washed linen is placed in double-lined carts. A
third plastic bag is used for each load of linen. The washed linen is
covered with clean brown paper, placed in plastic bags (within the
double-lined cart), and an additional vinyl cover is used for final
transportation of the carts to a special truck with closed doors for
delivery to the General Clinical Research Center (GCRC).

**Remember** all clean laundry belonging to Building 490 or its
satellite facilities is delivered to building 490 and stored in room
5-102. White lab coats will be hung on a coat rack. Each investigator
has the responsibility to pick up their laundry and maintain the
cleanliness of room 5-102.

The only official copy of this file is the one online at the Medical
Department website under "Clinical Research Center Policy Manual."
Before using a printed copy, verify that it is the most current version
by checking the document effective date on the website.