DES MOINES, Iowa — Dignitaries gathered here Monday at Midwest Healthcare Textile Services to cut a ceremonial ribbon on the newly opened central laundry, a partnership between Iowa Health System and ARAMARK Healthcare.
The 48,000-square-foot plant represents Iowa’s largest fully automated healthcare laundry operation, Iowa Health System says.
The central laundry was designed to operate five days a week, processing 15 million pounds annually. It’s operating at 60% capacity, with a planned growth potential of 22 million pounds.
Two 15-module Jensen tunnel washer systems lie at the heart of the operation. Each tunnel can process more than 4,000 pounds per hour.
The laundry will employ 75 people once the transition from other linen services, whether being provided via outsourcing or by an on-premise laundry, has been completed. Iowa Health System says it will save $5 million by centralizing laundry service.
The new facility managed by ARAMARK Healthcare serves these Iowa Health System hospitals:
• St. Luke’s Hospital (2.3 million pounds), Cedar Rapids.
• Iowa Health Des Moines and Blank Children’s Hospital, Des Moines (5 million).
• The Finley Hospital (600,000), Dubuque.
• Trinity Regional Medical Center (1.4 million), Fort Dodge.
• St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center (1 million), Sioux City.
• Trinity Regional Health System (2 million), serving the Quad Cities.
• Allen Memorial Hospital (1.8 million), Waterloo.
The laundry also plans to process 400,000 pounds annually for Broadlawns Medical Center, Des Moines.
Midwest Healthcare Textile Services provides hospital linens and apparel that are universal across the system and anticipates spending $1.5 million annually on linen.
Providing delivery is Iowa Health System’s Distribution Center, managed by Owens-Minor.
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