This can be beneficial for a number of reasons to include, expert opinion on CDC protocols, HICPAC (Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee) and ensure compliance from every department.  It also can help with identifying specific pathogens that your environment is currently struggling to control.  A comprehensive approach can help assess risk for particular areas and help identify solutions to reduce overall risk.

When creating your protocol is is important to identify the two different types of surfaces to be cleaned in each area.  This is determined primarily by exposure and touch frequency.  List items that need to be cleaned frequently and then those that need to be cleaned less frequently.  This is also a way to determine workload and cost allocation.

Back to the fundamentals of cleaning is what this factor really is all about!  Like any good standard operating procedure (SOP) detail is key.  Utilize manufacturer guidelines on specific products as they have been made to provide evidence of it’s effectiveness through product testing.  That means looks at dwell times and how to prepare the product for use.  Keep in mind that the old wives’ tale of putting some elbow grease into it rings particularly true in a medical environment.  In fact, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) states that organizations should note the use of friction when cleaning debris and visible grime is extremely important.  They go on to say that the degree in scrubbing may be the most critical factor in determining whether cleaning and disinfecting are ultimately effective. 1  All soil must be removed from the area before disinfection can be established.

Designing a cleaning schedule should include all internal staff, external service providers and the management team.  Keep in mind that these schedules should be dependent on the need of that particular area.  For example, accounting and billing may need a weekly cleaning depending on traffic however patient rooms should be cleaned minimally each day and procedure rooms should be cleaned between each patient.  Internal staff should be used to maintain an area throughout the day and if large enough an environmental services department usually has overall responsibility however many facilities are moving to an outsourced system to increase accountability, reduce costs and manage personnel.  Whichever system is right for your organization, the schedule should reflect the nature of the environment and all staff should be fully aware of the frequency and protocols.

If you would like to supplement your current staff, outsource completely or change your service, try giving Gator Cleaning Solutions a call for a no obligation custom cleaning quote.  We have been partnering with medical facility managers and environmental services management for nearly a decade to provide a comprehensive solution to medical office cleaning. 813-929-1122.

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