Paragon Veterinary Referrals
Treating anywhere between 25-30 pets on average per day, the busy centre has five theatres including dedicated endoscopy and fluoroscopy facilities, a digital imaging suite and MRI and CT equipment.
Determined to provide the best care possible to all of the animals that enter its facility, Paragon appreciates the importance of ensuring its laundry also features state-of-the art equipment. Laundry has an important role to play in maintaining professional standards at the practice and crucially helping to prevent the spread of infection too.
When deciding which equipment to use in its laundry, Paragon had a number of key requirements. In addition to the machines being able to wash to high temperatures and comply with Paragon’s own policies for infection control, it also needed machines that could handle large loads on a constant basis. Machines also needed to be energy efficient, robust and built to last. And, due to the nature of the items it launders, Paragon was also keen to equip its laundry with Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) Category 5 compliant washing machines to provide water backflow protection.
Paragon turned to its local commercial laundry equipment provider, JTM Service to equip its new laundry and provide ongoing support and maintenance. Having had previous experience of Miele machines in its other branch practices, and aware of the brand’s reputation for quality, Paragon was keen to kit out its new facility with the same brand of appliances.
As a Miele accredited partner, JTM was able to help Paragon select the right Miele appliances for its needs. It chose two of Miele’s Benchmark machines which have large capacity, short cycle times and are energy efficient. It also chose a Miele Little Giant which is compact in size but built and tested to commercial specifications. Each machine is designed and built to last for at least 30,000 washes.
Paragon also selected three Miele dryers, two energy efficient gas dryers and a tumble dryer with its own internal pump which removes condensed water itself. All Miele appliances are also gentle on fabric, thereby prolonging the life items that go through the laundry on a regular basis.
All laundry at Paragon is taken care of by the auxillary nurses and thanks to the size of the load capacity; ease of use of the machines; and fast programme times, the washing of surgeon and nurses scrubs, towels and bedding is handled quickly and effectively. Paragon also has strict infection control policies in place and a dedicated nurse monitors that compliance with the centre’s guidelines is consistently adhered to. The nurse regularly performs random swabbing of animal bedding and other items to ensure that the laundry process is effectively killing any traces of infection.
Rebecca Lunn, operations co-ordinator at Paragon Veterinary Referrals said: “We appreciate that our customers have high expectations on staff appearance and cleanliness and hygiene throughout our facility.
“First impressions matter and the appearance of both our staff and waiting facilities can have a huge impact on our reputation. We’re committed to providing our customers with the best possible care at all times and our laundry facility has a crucial role to play in us delivering on this commitment.”
With the reassurance it’s doing everything possible to guarantee its patients are treated in an extremely clean environment, Paragon’s team of nurses and surgeons are free to do what they do best, deliver the best possible care to all the animals referred to the centre.
