Phoenix, AZ -- (SBWire) -- 09/30/2015 --Infection prevention is among any medical facility's top priorities. In addition to targeting staff hygienic practices, medical facilities frequently prioritize common areas and shared resources, like linens and gowns, in their infection prevention agenda. Recently, an article in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology explored the effectiveness of healthcare textile laundry processes in preventing infection. The article's findings support processes currently enforced by ImageFIRST Phoenix, a leading linen and laundry service specializing in healthcare textiles.

The article by Lynne M. Sehulster, entitled "Healthcare Laundry and Textiles in the United States: Review and Commentary on Contemporary Infection Prevention Issues," drew a number of conclusions regarding the effectiveness of laundering healthcare textiles (HCTs) in preventing infection. Overall, the article found that laundering HCTs with proper adherence to processes is highly effective. In the past 43 years, only 12 hospital infection outbreaks associated with laundered HCTs occurred worldwide.

Generally, the failure to prevent infection was not due to the process's inability to sanitize HCTs but rather due to a failed step in the process or environmental contamination, such as exposing HCTs to contaminants post-laundering.

ImageFIRST Phoenix has one of the most rigorous processes of any linens and laundry company in the nation. Each linen or garment cleaned by ImageFIRST Phoenix is thoroughly sanitized with a special wash formula that kills 99.999% of contaminants on contact. The garments are also treated with a bacteria-inhibiting softener and then immediately wrapped in plastic after drying so that there is no further exposure to contaminants prior to delivery. This process makes up ImageFIRST's Triple BioShield protection process, and is effective in helping medical facilities keep their patients healthy.

To learn more about ImageFIRST Phoenix's laundry and sanitization procedures, visit http://phoenix.imagefirst.com

About ImageFIRST
Founded in 1967, ImageFIRST is the largest and fastest growing national linen rental and laundry service specializing in the outpatient medical market. ImageFIRST's 36 locations nationwide serve over 5,500 medical offices every week, providing linen, patient gowns, scrubs and much more while partnering with facilities to better manage linen inventory. With a customer retention rate of over 95%, ImageFIRST is dedicated to improving patient satisfaction through quality linens and remarkable service: their Comfort Care gowns product line increases patients' favorable perception of a facility by more than 50%.

For more information about ImageFIRST Phoenix, the cost-effective solution for greater patient satisfaction, please visit http://phoenix.imagefirst.com