HSE rebukes 'alarmist' laundry infection claim

Link: HSE rebukes 'alarmist' laundry infection claim - Features, Lifestyle - Nenaghguardian.ie.

The Health Service Executive has described as 'alarmist and irresponsible' a claim from a Limerick based Sinn Féin representative that hospitals and nursing homes in North Tipperary are being put at risk of infection over the HSE's system of transporting laundry. Maurice Quinlivan last week stated that the HSE was transporting clean laundry to nursing homes and hospitals in North Tipperary, Limerick and Clare in the same lorry as dirty laundry, severely increasing the risk of contamination from infections such as MRSA. Mr Quinlaven said that contaminated laundry marked 'MRSA' is often transported in the same lorry and claimed senior management in the HSE was aware of this practice. 'Whilst no one can claim for certainty that cross-contamination is taking place, what is certain is that this is a disgraceful practice,' Mr Quinlivan said last week. 'Senior management in the HSE must take responsibility for putting patient care at risk in such a cavalier manner.