What does HLAC mean in HEALTHCARE

The Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC) is a nonprofit organization that works to improve the quality and safety of healthcare textiles through a comprehensive accreditation process. HLAC evaluates healthcare laundry for its processes, procedures, policies, and resources in order to ensure that all textiles meet strict standards.

By becoming accredited by HLAC, a laundry facility can demonstrate commitment to providing safe and clean healthcare linens that adhere to strict maintenance and protocol standards set by the organization. In addition, this accreditation allows laundries to meet or exceed local and/or federal regulations. Ultimately, it helps enhance patient safety as well as staff satisfaction.

The application process includes an on-site review of the facility's policies, processes, and resources in order to evaluate whether or not it is up to standard for accreditation status. This review also provides education on how to maintain hygiene practices throughout their facility. Once a facility has been accredited by HLAC they must continue participation in surveys and assessments conducted by designated assessors from HLAC in order for continued accreditation status.

Although there is no federal law requiring healthcare organizations to obtain an HLAC certification, many state and local governments mandate its use. Additionally, some insurance companies require hospitals and other healthcare facilities conducting business with them have this certification as well as organizations who are part of their networks or tiers.

The amount of time varies depending on each specific situation; however, it can take anywhere between 8 weeks — 12 months before your organization is officially accepted into the program. During this time you may be required to provide additional documentation or complete additional training prior to being cleared for full acceptance into the program.

Required documents vary based upon each individual application; however, applicants typically need to submit information such as health department inspection reports detailing any violations found at the facility during inspections performed within the last year along with any records showing corrective action taken since then.

No — being certified does not necessarily mean you will be free from liability issues related specifically towards your operations involving healthcare textiles and products manufactured/processed from those materials; however it does provide assurance that your operation meets industry standards put forth by the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC).

Yes — aside from the application fee assessed initially when applying for assessment/accreditation status there may also be additional fees assessed depending upon certain circumstances such as travel costs (if applicable) associated with visits made by assessors performing survey/evaluation tasks.

For ongoing compliance purposes on-site audit must be conducted at least once every 3 years; however if deemed necessary due higher risk factors determined during initial assessment audit cycles could take place more frequently than initially determined.

A recertification audit reviews all pertinent details surrounding operations which were addressed during initial assessment audits making sure all procedures are still being followed properly as specified under current requirements set forth by HLAC; however a recertification audit does not require re-evaluating staffing/materials requirements normally associated with initial assessment audits.