What should you do with sheets and pillows contaminated by a patient with a known salmonella pathogen?

When dealing with sheets and pillows contaminated by a patient with a known salmonella pathogen, it is essential to follow standard infection control protocols. Placing the contaminated linens with the other dirty linen as usual is appropriate because these linens will be handled according to established procedures for sanitization.

Standard operating procedures usually dictate that contaminated linens should be collected and sorted in a designated area, using appropriate personal protective equipment. They are then laundered at high temperatures with detergents and disinfectants capable of inactivating pathogens like Salmonella. This process ensures that any infectious material is properly eliminated before the linens are reused.

Handling contaminated textiles in this way prevents unnecessary waste and conserves resources while ensuring that the linens are effectively decontaminated through the laundry process.