When we think of a hospital, our minds may go to those providing front line care. But there’s an essential service working around the clock behind the scenes: the Laundry and Linen team.
Every day, hundreds of kilograms of linens are processed at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre to ensure a safe, clean environment for patients and staff alike. From bed sheets and pillowcases to gowns, scrubs, and surgical drapes, this department plays a critical role in infection control and patient comfort.
Clean linens may not be the most visible part of patient care, but they’re a crucial part of the healing environment. Fresh sheets and properly sanitized gowns contribute to patient dignity, comfort, and safety. So, the next time you see a neatly made hospital bed or change into a clean gown, remember the dedicated laundry and linen team working behind the scenes to make it happen.
Photo 1: This small but mighty team holds the highest standards for cleanliness. Every load of linens must meet strict hygiene requirements. Linens are washed, dried, and sanitized using industrial-grade equipment and high-temperature cycles that eliminate bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.
Photo 2: Each step is monitored closely to comply with health care regulations and infection prevention protocols. Special attention is given to handling soiled items safely and ensuring clean linens are stored and transported properly. In this photo, Chris can be seen carefully loading the washer, ensuring all soiled linens are handled with gloves and without overfilling, in strict adherence to infection prevention protocols. He closes the machine securely and initiates the high-temperature disinfection cycle to prevent cross-contamination.
Photo 3, 4, 5: Laundry services require a dedicated team working efficiently and meticulously. Their job includes sorting, washing, folding, inspecting for damage, and ensuring timely delivery to every department. During high-demand periods—like flu season or during large-scale procedures—this team works even harder to keep everything running smoothly. The team are shown feeding large linens through the blanket folder (photo 3), hand folding area folding facecloths (photo 4), and standing in front of a small piece folder, where gowns are folded (photo 5).
Photo 6: Did you know that our Hospital has a seamstress? Tannis is responsible for the repair, alteration, and sometimes fabrication of textiles used throughout the Hospital. These can include uniforms, bed linens, patient gowns, surgical drapes, privacy curtains, and other fabric-based materials. Her skilled hands help keep our facility running smoothly and with every stitch supports the comfort, dignity, and safety of our patients and staff.