NYC Health + Hospitals announced a completed upgrade to its linen management machines, saving $3.06 million annually, according to a news release.
The five-year project with Sodexo placed 193 alEx Linen Centers across the health care system’s 11 hospitals to reduce excess linen use. The machines monitor inventory by weight, only allow authorized users, and send restocking alerts automatically when supplies are low.
“The alEx linen machine is one of best innovations that I’ve seen,” said Maria Rosario Mertola, Head Nurse of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Bellevue Hospital. “The user-friendly machines prioritize infection control for our patients and staff, while also helping us and our extraordinary partners on the linen team to manage inventory more effectively. The machine automatically calculates what we need on each unit so that requesting supplies is no longer a burden to nurses.
In the first phase of the project, linen machines in each hospital’s emergency department reduced linen use by 55%, from 7.73 pounds to 4.25 pounds per Emergency Department visit. The recent announcement marked the expansion of the machines into the nursing departments across the health care system to streamline linen use across inpatient care. The health care system uses nearly 15 million pounds of linen each year.
“This initiative showcases the strength of our partnership and our shared commitment to operational excellence,” said Mercedes Redwood, Assistant Vice President of Managed Services, NYC Health + Hospitals. “By integrating innovation, technology, and disciplined process management, we’ve created a solution that enhances efficiency and supports our frontline teams in delivering safe, high-quality care. Reducing linen use by more than half in key departments isn’t just a financial win—it’s a smarter, more effective way to manage resources for patients and staff alike.”
“Our collaboration with NYC Health + Hospitals demonstrates Sodexo’s commitment to helping health systems operate more efficiently,” said Samantha Morgenstern, Vice President of Operations, Sodexo Healthcare North America. “The alEx Linen Centers are a clear example of how smart technology can streamline operations, reduce waste, and create measurable value for our clients and the communities they serve.”
