Recent News about The MED

Washing Out Scrub Abuse

Cheryl Henderson, director of support services and Steve Thompson, manager of linen services announced the new policy for hospital-issued scrubs, along with the addition of three new Scrub-Ex machines, will save The MED more than $60,000 in the first year.

Thompson explained, “Cheryl and I have been working on implementing this effort for more than five years. We visited Vanderbilt and documented projected savings. Now, we are happy to report the numbers are speaking for themselves.”

Thompson reported that the hospital spent $52,000 on scrubs in fiscal year 2005 and projects spending less than $20,000 in fiscal 2007. Additional savings were negotiated with the company washing the scrubs. ”We’re now washing 1400 pieces per week, and the 5¢ savings per piece represents a substantial amount of money over one year,” he explained.

Henderson pointed out that employees should not be concerned about the hospital running out of scrubs. She said, “With the new process and machines, we know in real-time how many scrubs we have in each size. Steve is alerted via the System Controller of potential shortages and the machines are loaded before we run out of scrubs.”

Henderson and Thompson are continuing to improve and simplify the scrub procurement process. Future plans include internet access to ordering scrubs by authorized department and making all personnel’s badges work with one swipe at the machine.

It’s apparent that Henderson and Thompson are having fun with the initiative, their slogan is: Instead of wearing your scrubs out of the hospital, wear them out IN the hospital.

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