Delhi hospitals to get colour-coded bedsheets to strengthen hygiene

Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar on Wednesday announced the decision to implement the colour-coded bedsheet system across the city hospitals. The move aims to strengthen hygiene, infection control, and patient psychology, according to a statement from the department.

Following the central guidelines for rejuvenating public healthcare facilities, the health department has rolled out the scheme for all hospitals in the national capital. Going forward, hospitals will use a different colour of bedsheets for each day of the week—Monday: White, Tuesday: Pink, Wednesday: Green, Thursday: Purple, Friday: Blue, Saturday: Light Grey, and Sunday: Peach.

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“This system is designed not only to streamline linen management but also to provide a visual assurance of cleanliness to patients and their families. Each colour lot will be supplied with a robust stock for changing bedsheets,” the statement read.

Outlining the directions to enforce stricter hygiene protocols, officials said Delhi hospitals have been instructed to ensure efficient collection, management, and use of bedsheets, along with guidelines for procuring new linen sets of uniform quality.

Speaking on the development, Singh said, “This innovative seven-colour bedsheet system is a simple yet important step toward building an environment of trust and transparency.” He called the initiative a positive move not only in reducing the incidence of Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs) but also in boosting staff morale and improving overall patient care.

The initiative draws directly from the principles outlined in the Kayakalp implementation guidebook developed by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, first released in 2015 and periodically updated. The handbook stresses the critical role of proper linen management in preventing healthcare-associated infections.

It mandates strict protocols for handling soiled linen, including separate transportation and washing in hot water with detergent. The new colour-coding system is expected to simplify adherence to these guidelines, making it easier for staff to manage linen cycles and maintain high standards of hygiene, the department claimed.