The Machine Washable Head or Foot Board Protector is fibre-filled with a durable polyester outer and Velcro straps, machine washable at up to 71°C in compliance with HSG(95)18 infection control guidance. Tapered profile (104-89cm width) accommodates side rail tracking; 58cm height. The appropriate head or foot board protector for clinical environments requiring NHS thermal disinfection-compliant laundering. Standard wipe-clean version is NCL-HFSTD.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Reference | NCL-MWBHF |
| Width (tapered) | 104 to 89 cm |
| Height | 58 cm |
| Filling | Soft fibre |
| Outer | Durable polyester |
| Fastening | Velcro straps |
| Washing | Machine washable to 71°C |
| Standard | HSG(95)18 compliant |
| Wipe-Clean Version | NCL-HFSTD (standard foam) |
HSG(95)18 (Hospital laundry arrangements for used and infected linen) specifies the thermal disinfection temperatures required for healthcare linen and washable items; 71°C machine washability means this protector meets the thermally disinfected category for reusable patient contact items in NHS and care home settings. This is the appropriate specification where the care home infection control policy requires thermal decontamination of all bedside protective equipment. CQC Regulation 12 (safe care) documentation should confirm the board protector laundering schedule, the HSG(95)18 compliance rationale, and the board impact risk assessment findings.
What is HSG(95)18 and why does it matter for board protectors?
HSG(95)18 is the NHS guidance document on hospital laundry arrangements for used and infected linen, specifying thermal disinfection washing temperatures for different categories of healthcare items. Washing at 71°C for three minutes (or 65°C for ten minutes) achieves the thermal disinfection required for items in routine patient contact. A board protector that can be machine washed at 71°C meets this standard, making it suitable for care home environments where thermal decontamination of patient bedside items is required by the infection control policy. The standard foam wipe-clean version (NCL-HFSTD) does not achieve this level of decontamination.
How are the Velcro straps applied to secure the protector to the head or foot board?
The Velcro straps wrap around or attach to the head or foot board frame to hold the protector flat against the board surface. The tapered profile positions the narrower 89cm end toward the corners where the side rail tracking narrows the available width, with the broader 104cm section covering the main board face. Confirm that the Velcro straps are secured firmly and that the protector sits flush against the board surface without gaps at the corners. Remove and refasten the straps carefully during laundering to maintain the strap integrity across repeated wash cycles at the 71°C specification.