For acute care and high-volume linen usage customers, Crown uses Clean Soil Variance, or CSV, as a vital tool to track and minimize linen loss. A study by the TRSA, the Association for Linen, Uniform and Facility Services Industry, found that 90% of linens in U.S. hospitals don’t reach their full lifespan, largely due to improper disposal practices.

Linens are valuable resources that, when managed properly, can significantly extend their useful life. Shifting from treating linens as disposable items to recognizing them as assets is crucial for controlling costs and promoting sustainability. Effective linen management starts with collaboration, education, and adherence to proper procedures.
 

What is the Clean Soil Variance Report?

Your CSV report compares the weight of soiled linen returned against the weight of clean linen delivered. This percentage-based report is a critical indicator of linen return rates, revealing potential inefficiencies and linen loss. For acute care, the national averages for clean-to-soiled linen are between 8-12%, depending on the type of facility and its linen mix and usage. This means your returned soiled linen should weigh 8-12% more than the original clean linen delivered.

CSV is a measurement in weight, and staying within the contract CSV goal helps avoid loss charges. If the soiled linen returned is less than the clean linen delivered, facilities are charged a per-pound rate to meet the CSV target. Facilities that keep their CSV within their contracted range can avoid loss charges. 
 

Tips for Mitigating Linen Loss

1. Reclaiming the Value of Linen — Linen is never trash, regardless of soil level. Educating healthcare staff about the capabilities of industrial laundry systems in removing stains is essential to preventing the premature disposal of linen. 
2. Proper Bagging Protocols  —  All soiled linen must be placed in the designated soiled linen bags. Improper disposal, such as placing linens in the trash or hazardous waste bags, contributes to roughly 12% of linen loss, according to TRSA.
3. Recognizing and Handling Reject Linen  — Rejected linen, or linen that is stained or has holes, tears, or other defects, should be placed in green (or facility-designated color) reject linen bags. By doing so, facilities can receive full credit for these items, improving process efficiency while decreasing linen costs.
4. Change Through Education — Comprehensive staff education is vital for improving linen management. You can cultivate a culture of responsibility by ensuring team members are trained on proper bagging, sorting, and storage practices. Crown provides free educational resources and can support facilities with on-site linen management training.

Effective linen management is a team effort, and understanding your CSV report plays a crucial role in promoting sustainability, reducing costs, and maintaining top-tier infection control and patient care standards.