Cleaning hospitals is a major challenge. According to research, around 10 % of in-patients acquire at least one healthcare-associated infection during their stay. Worryingly, many succumb to their illnesses, highlighting the value of proper cleaning. But how do you get hospital cleaning right? Read on to learn more.
Use the right disinfectants
Not all disinfectants are equally effective, or suitable for use in every room. There’s often a trade-off between a cleaning agent’s effectiveness and chemical safety for patients. Bleach is extremely powerful for killing germs, but isn’t appropriate for washing up, for example.
Use electrostatic spray application
Electrostatic sprays use charged particles to encourage tiny droplets of disinfectant to stick to the surface of objects that need cleaning. They offer two advantages over standard cleaning procedures.
First, they coat the entire surface area of the object being cleaned. Each droplet experiences a charged attraction to the neutral object causing it to stick, but also repulsion from every other droplet, encouraging uniform coverage.
Second, electrostatic sprays eliminate the need to use wipes or cloths (which can harbour germs). Simply depressing the trigger emits a stream of cleaning fluid from the nozzle without the need for any further contact with the cleaning surface.
Wear the right PPE
Avoiding direct contact with contaminated surfaces is essential in hospital environments. Without PPE, cleaners could inadvertently transfer germs on surfaces, increasing the risk of infection.
Cleaners should also be aware of PPE protocols. For example, they should change gloves when cleaning patients’ rooms to prevent cross-contamination.
Concentrate on “high touch surfaces”
People touch some hospital surfaces, such as light switches, door knobs, bathroom handrails, and taps, more than others. Because of this, they can quickly become vectors for disease transmission.
Therefore, hospital cleaning should focus on these high-touch areas as regular disinfection can help to prevent the spread of germs.
Tackle the cleanest areas first
Lastly, cleaners should avoid the temptation to clean the dirtiest areas first. While they might seem to be in the greatest need of help, tackling them first can cause contamination of cleaner areas. It’s best to start with the easiest tasks and then work down the list.
The benefits of commercial hospital cleaning are tremendous. Getting it right results in fewer nosocomial infections and a safer patient experience.
If you’re struggling with hospital cleaning (or any other form of commercial cleaning for that matter), please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Associated Cleaning Contractors to learn more about our hospital cleaning services.
