NYC Health + Hospitals and Sodexo Complete Upgrades to Linen Management Machines, Saving $3.06 Million Annually
In the first phase of the project, linen machines in each hospital’s emergency department reduced linen use by 55%
Nov 07, 2025
New York, NY — NYC Health + Hospitals and Sodexo today announced a completed upgrade to the linen management machines, saving $3.06 million annually. The five-year project 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. 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. Today’s announcement marks 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.”
“At a dynamic facility like Bellevue, it’s essential that we actively listen to our staff and provide the tools they need to succeed,” said Erfan Karim, MPH, Chief Operating Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “The new alEx Linen Centers are a direct result of staff feedback, providing quick access via ID selection and efficient restocking. By prioritizing operational excellence, this technology reduces delays in patient care and saves valuable time for our nurses. I’m excited to see these linen machines installed across the hospital, where they will improve financial efficiency, enhance patient care, and simplify our nurses’ workdays.”
“The alEx linen machine is one of best innovations that I’ve seen,” said Maria Rosario Mertola, RN, BSN, CCRN-CMC, Head Nurse of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at 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.”
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About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlusHealth—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 46,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
