Each day, UI Laundry Services processes about 24,000 pounds of linens. Most of the processed linens are for UI Hospitals & Clinics and range from washcloths and blankets to healthcare scrubs and lab coats. The team of 45 staff at Laundry Services is dedicated to their work, and it has taken on greater meaning during the pandemic. “Everyone really rallies around our support for patient care and hospital staff,” says Ben Barreras, assistant director of Laundry Services, Printing Services, and Mailing Services.  

It is a large and important task to provide 6,000,000 pounds of clean linens each year for patient care and hospital staff. UI Laundry Services also processes linens for the Iowa House and University of Iowa Housing and Dining. 

Over the past five years, Laundry Services has implemented a series of upgrades to its equipment, rail/bag delivery system, and plant automation. Improvements have increased efficiency and made operation of equipment both more user friendly and safer for staff. Replacing older equipment has reduced energy needs and decreased expenses of both utilities and maintenance.  

The combination of dedicated staff with upgraded technology and equipment ensures the department is able to reliably provide clean and sterile linens to its customers. “We have made constant improvement a focus because we know that the work we are doing is crucial to the success of our customer's operations,” says Debby Zumbach, associate vice president, director of parking and transportation/business services.