Healthcare Facilities Require the Highest Standard of Clean
Current cleaning/disinfecting methods and procedures are critical to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases in healthcare environments. Yet, studies have shown that less than 50% of environmental surfaces in patient care rooms are properly cleaned and disinfected. Evidence also strongly suggests that cross-contamination of microorganisms from environmental surfaces is directly related to patient infections. It is estimated that nearly 100,000 people will die this year directly attributable to HAIs (infections that patients get while receiving treatment for medical or surgical conditions).
High-touch surfaces such as bed rails, bed surfaces, tables, fluid poles, doorknobs, and supply carts have all been identified as having the greatest potential for transmission of pathogens. From hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, doctor’s offices, dental offices, clinical labs, outpatient emergency clinics to chiropractic offices, It’s imperative that healthcare environments implement and follow a solid cleaning routine for the health and safety of their patients, visitors, and staff.
Determining environmental cleaning procedures
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Infection (CDC), the determination of environmental cleaning procedures for individual patient care areas, including frequency, method, and process, should be based on the risk of pathogen transmission. This risk is a function of the probability of contamination, the vulnerability of the patients to infection, and the potential for exposure (i.e., high-touch vs low-touch surfaces). These three elements combine to determine low, moderate, and high risk. Risk determines cleaning frequency, method, and process in routine and contingency cleaning schedules for all patient care areas.
Healthcare facility cleaning and disinfection
The process of cleaning with warm water and detergent removes visual dirt and contamination and in most cases is effective for decontaminating both equipment and the environment. However, in certain situations such as during an outbreak, or increased incidence of infection, surfaces and equipment require both cleaning and disinfection. The disinfection process reduces the number of microorganisms to a level that does not present a risk to patients, clients, or staff. However, disinfection is only effective if surfaces and equipment have been cleaned thoroughly with detergent and water beforehand.
According to CDC guidelines, warm water and detergent should be used to clean hard surfaces followed by disinfection with a 1000ppm (0.1%) chlorine releasing agent/hypochlorite solution or chlorine dioxide solution (diluted and with proper dwell time as per manufacture instructions). Hypochlorite or chlorine dioxide solution kills both bacteria and viruses. Because hypochlorite solutions are corrosive, it’s recommended the solution be rinsed off with warm water at the end of the process (some chlorine dioxide solutions do not require being rinsed off).
Terminal cleaning
Terminal cleaning refers to the cleaning procedures used to control the spread of infectious diseases in a healthcare environment. While methods vary between healthcare institutions, terminal cleaning usually includes removing all detachable objects in the room, cleaning lighting and air duct surfaces in the ceiling, and cleaning everything down towards the floor. Items removed from the room should be disinfected or sanitized before being returned to the room.
Operating room terminal cleaning
Operating rooms are highly specialized areas with a mechanically controlled atmosphere where surgical procedures are performed. These areas require environmental cleaning before and between each procedure and after the last procedure (i.e., terminal cleaning). A thorough and systematic approach is key to achieving successful terminal clean:
- Staff must suit up in barrier garments, including face masks, gloves, and booties to prevent the spread of microorganisms outside of the contaminated room.
- Remove all detachable objects from the room in order to disinfect them in specified controlled environments. This allows them to be returned after the terminal cleaning has taken place.
- Use approved cleaning chemicals to disinfect the room from the ceiling to the floor.
- Start by cleaning all lighting fixtures and grates adorning the ceiling, working down to the walls and eventually the floor.
- If there’s equipment or instruments that can’t be removed from the room before cleaning, they must be scrubbed and disinfected thoroughly. Disinfect wheels, pads, railings, and any other surface of the equipment to ensure the most thorough disinfecting takes place.
- Once the room has been deemed safe for further use, disinfected machinery and equipment that was removed can be reinstalled in its proper place for future use.
- All barrier garments should be removed and placed in a plastic bag and sealed before being disposed of or sent to a facility with regulated cleaning processes.
Healthcare environment electrostatic spray disinfection
One way to break the chain of infection includes the use of innovative technology such as the application of EPA-registered disinfectants using electrostatic spray systems. As compared to traditional spray-and-wipe, fogging, and UV lighting, electrostatic spray disinfection offers a complementary and cost-effective approach to healthcare environmental surface disinfection methods. Electrostatic spray technology is a hands-free way to efficiently and effectively cover all surfaces with a positively charged electrostatic spray mist.
Because most surface areas are neutral or negative, a positively charged electrostatic spray application optimizes adhesion and attraction. The dispersed droplets spread out more evenly and seek out the negative or neutrally charged surface. The disinfectant is more targeted, provides more consistent coverage with less waste, and like two magnets, is attracted to the oppositely charged surface. The disinfecting mist easily wraps around machinery, light fixtures, and other complex surfaces. Electrostatic spray disinfecting can be used in conjunction with other healthcare environment cleaning techniques to ensure a thorough clean.
Cleanstart – Healthcare environmental cleaning service
Cleanstart provides high-quality healthcare environmental cleaning services you can depend on. Our 25 years of experience in hospital-grade cleaning solutions will ensure that your medical facility receives the highest standard of clean possible. We are compliant with recommended best practices and guidelines established by:
Cleanstart - Healthcare Facility Cleaning Services
Call us today for more information about our quality healthcare facility cleaning services at 253-921-2593.
Our professional cleaning technicians use the most effective cleaning supplies and state-of-the-art equipment to get the job done right! We offer:
✓ Over 25 years of experience in the commercial cleaning and janitorial industry
✓ Thoroughly trained and vetted cleaning professionals
✓ Commitment to the highest quality clean
✓ Local, licensed, bonded, and insured
✓ 24/7 cleaning options & support
✓ Customized cleaning solutions
✓ Electrostatic spray disinfection
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✓ One-time and recurring cleaning services
✓ 100% satisfaction guarantee
✓ OSHA, HIPAA, EPA, CDC, AORN compliant
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For more information about our healthcare facility cleaning services, or to request a free cleaning quote, please give us a call today at (253) 921-2593 or visit our website.
Cleanstart proudly services the following locations in the PNW:
Auburn, Bellevue, Bellingham, Bonney Lake, Bremerton, Factoria, Fife, Gig Harbor, Kent, Lakewood, Olympia, Puyallup, Renton, Seattle, Tacoma, Tukwila, University Place, King County, Kitsap County, Pierce County, and Thurston County.
5013 Pacific Hwy E. unit 16 Fife, WA 98424 • Phone: 253.921.2593 • Email: Caleb @ thecleanstart.com
