Jordan Ellis
Cleaning hospital rooms is a critical aspect of healthcare, as it directly impacts patient safety and satisfaction. Proper cleaning and disinfection techniques are essential to prevent the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and reduce the risk of cross-contamination. This process requires a systematic approach, focusing on high-touch surfaces, such as handwashing sinks and floors, which should be cleaned daily to eliminate harmful germs, bacteria, and pathogens. Cleaning staff must also pay attention to low-touch surfaces like walls, which require weekly cleaning. The right combination of cleaning products, procedures, and staff training can create a safe and comfortable environment for patients, breaking the chain of infection and ensuring their well-being.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cleaning products | Professional-grade cleaning products that comply with local laws and regulations |
| Cleaning process | Systematic, following a checklist, from cleaner to dirtier areas, from high to low |
| Cleaning frequency | High-touch surfaces: at least once a day; Low-touch surfaces: once a week; Scheduled cleaning: as required |
| Cleaning staff preparation | Gather tools, supplies, and personal protective equipment (PPE); Conduct a preliminary visual site assessment |
| Hand hygiene | Critical for associates in a hospital setting; Should occur upon entry and exit of a patient's room |
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What You'll Learn
Cleaning high-touch surfaces
Before beginning the cleaning process, it is important to identify the high-touch surfaces in the room. This can be done through assessments and observations of the workflow in consultation with clinical staff. High-touch surfaces outside the patient zone, such as shared equipment and common surfaces, should be cleaned first, followed by surfaces outside the patient zone that are touched during patient care.
When cleaning high-touch surfaces, it is essential to use the proper cleaning products and procedures to limit the spread of illness. Use a fresh cleaning cloth submerged in an approved disinfectant solution, or disposable disinfectant wipes may be used. Fold the cloth in half to make it approximately the size of a hand. Wipe the surfaces following a general checklist, rotating and unfolding the cloth regularly to use all sides. Dispose of the cloth or store it for reprocessing once all sides are used or no longer soaked with the cleaning solution.
It is important to clean or remove any visible soils or organic material before disinfecting. This can be done by scrubbing the surface with a neutral detergent and water. Once the surface is clean, apply a disinfectant and allow it to dwell for the recommended amount of time, as indicated on the label of the disinfectant.
By following these steps and using the appropriate cleaning products, hospital staff can effectively clean high-touch surfaces, reducing the risk of cross-contamination and creating a comfortable and safe environment for patients.
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Using the right cleaning products
Firstly, it is important to understand the specific requirements of hospital room cleaning. Hospital cleaning is a commercial venture, and as such, the products and processes must comply with regulations and local laws. In the UK, for example, hospital cleaning falls under the NHS National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2021. Therefore, ensure that the cleaning products used are aligned with the relevant standards and regulations for your region.
Secondly, identify the different surfaces and items in the hospital room that require cleaning. High-touch surfaces, such as handwashing sinks and floors, bed rails, and shared equipment, should be prioritised as they pose a higher risk of pathogen transmission. Low-touch surfaces, including walls, baseboards, and corners, while cleaned less frequently, should also be included in the cleaning routine.
When selecting cleaning products, opt for professional-grade, hospital-specific solutions. The Diversey healthcare range, for instance, is specifically formulated for hospital room cleaning and infection control. Their products cover all areas, including infection prevention, acute care, long-term care, and alternative care areas such as laundry. Oxivir™, in particular, is effective against pathogens but safe for users and the immediate environment.
Additionally, pay attention to the dwell time of your disinfectant. Apply the disinfectant and allow it to remain on the surface for the recommended time, as indicated on the product label. This ensures that the disinfectant has sufficient contact time to effectively kill germs, bacteria, and pathogens.
It is also essential to have enough cleaning cloths to complete each cleaning session. Use fresh, clean cloths soaked in the approved disinfectant solution. Fold the cloth to a size that comfortably fits in the hand. Wipe surfaces systematically, rotating and unfolding the cloth regularly to utilise all sides. Dispose of or reprocess the cloth once all sides are used or no longer soaked with the cleaning solution.
Lastly, hand hygiene is of utmost importance in hospital settings. Ensure that associates perform hand hygiene upon entering and exiting a patient's room. Proper hand hygiene can significantly reduce the transfer of pathogens, contributing to overall infection control and patient safety.
By using the right cleaning products and following the recommended procedures, hospital staff can effectively maintain a clean and safe environment for patients, reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections.
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Cleaning before disinfecting
Cleaning a hospital room is a meticulous process that requires adherence to strict protocols to ensure patient safety and satisfaction. Before disinfecting, thorough cleaning is paramount to eliminating visible soils and organic materials, preparing surfaces for effective disinfection. Here is a comprehensive guide to the cleaning process:
Firstly, it is imperative to identify high-touch and low-touch surfaces within the hospital room. High-touch surfaces, such as handwashing sinks and floors, as well as bed rails and shared equipment, require daily cleaning to prevent the spread of illness-causing germs, bacteria, and pathogens. Low-touch surfaces, including walls, baseboards, and corners, should be cleaned on a weekly basis.
When preparing to clean, it is crucial to gather the appropriate tools, commercial cleaning supplies, janitorial equipment, and, importantly, personal protective equipment (PPE). A visual site assessment should precede the cleaning process to ensure the safety of both the patient and the cleaning staff, especially if the patient has an illness requiring special airborne precautions.
The cleaning process itself should be systematic to avoid missing areas. A recommended approach is to start at the foot of each bed and move either clockwise or from left to right. Utilize fresh cleaning cloths soaked in an approved disinfectant solution, or disposable disinfectant wipes may be used as a substitute. Regularly rotate and unfold the cloth to use all sides, and dispose of or store the cloth for reprocessing once all sides are used or no longer saturated. Repeat this process until all surfaces are cleaned.
It is important to prioritize cleaning general patient areas and shared equipment before moving on to surfaces directly touched by the patient inside the patient zone. This approach prevents contamination of already cleaned areas by avoiding the transfer of dirt and microorganisms from high-touch to low-touch surfaces.
By adhering to these cleaning protocols, hospital staff can effectively prepare surfaces for disinfection, contributing to a safe, sanitary environment that minimizes the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and enhances patient satisfaction.
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Hand hygiene
The proper way to perform hand hygiene is by following the correct handwashing techniques. This includes using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, ensuring that all parts of the hands, including the fingertips, nails, and wrists, are thoroughly cleaned. Proper hand hygiene techniques should be taught to all hospital staff, and compliance should be monitored to ensure effectiveness.
In addition to handwashing with soap and water, the use of gloves and other personal protective equipment (PPE) can also be incorporated into hand hygiene practices. Gloves should be worn when handling potentially contaminated items or coming into contact with bodily fluids. This creates a barrier between the hands and any pathogens present, reducing the risk of transmission. However, it is important to note that gloves are not a replacement for proper handwashing and should be used in conjunction with good hand hygiene practices.
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Cleaning shared equipment
Identify High-Touch Surfaces:
Firstly, identify the shared equipment and high-touch surfaces in the hospital room. These are surfaces that are frequently touched and can contribute to the spread of illnesses and infections. Examples include handwashing sinks, bed rails, doorknobs, and shared toilets.
Gather Appropriate Cleaning Supplies:
Ensure that you have the proper tools and cleaning supplies, including commercial cleaning solutions, janitorial equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Use disinfectants and cleaning chemicals that comply with local regulations and are specifically formulated for hospital cleaning, such as the healthcare range from Diversey.
Clean Before Disinfecting:
Before disinfecting, start by cleaning any visible dirt or organic material from the shared equipment. Use a fresh cleaning cloth soaked in an approved disinfectant solution. Fold the cloth to a manageable size, approximately the size of a hand. Wipe down the shared equipment, regularly rotating and unfolding the cloth to use all sides. Dispose of the cloth or store it for reprocessing once all sides are used or no longer soaked.
Apply Disinfectant:
After cleaning, apply a disinfectant to the shared equipment to kill illness-causing germs, bacteria, and pathogens. Always check the label of your disinfectant for the proper dwell time, and allow the disinfectant to remain on the surface for the required duration. This step is crucial in breaking the chain of infection.
Prioritize High-Touch Surfaces:
When cleaning shared equipment, prioritize high-touch surfaces within the patient room. Clean these surfaces at least once a day, and always clean high-touch surfaces outside the patient zone before moving to high-touch surfaces inside the patient's immediate area. This prevents contamination of already cleaned areas.
Consistent Hand Hygiene:
Lastly, emphasize the importance of hand hygiene among hospital staff. Proper hand hygiene is essential, as 80% of infections are spread by hands. Associates should perform hand hygiene upon entering and exiting a patient's room to prevent the transfer of pathogens to shared equipment and other surfaces.
By following these instructions, hospital staff can effectively clean shared equipment, reducing the risk of cross-contamination and creating a safe and comfortable environment for patients.
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Frequently asked questions
Cleaning a hospital room is critical to reducing the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and creating a safe, sanitary environment for patients.
High-touch surfaces, such as handwashing sinks and floors, bed rails, and shared equipment, should be prioritised. Low-touch surfaces like walls, baseboards, and corners should also be cleaned regularly, typically on a weekly basis.
A systematic approach is best. Start by cleaning each patient zone in a consistent manner, such as left to right. Use a fresh cleaning cloth soaked in an approved disinfectant solution, and be sure to change or rotate the cloth regularly. Always clean before disinfecting to remove any visible soils.
Hand hygiene is crucial as 80% of infections are spread by hands. Associates should perform hand hygiene upon entering and exiting a patient's room, and likely more frequently depending on the situation and local guidelines.
Hospital-grade disinfectants and cleaning chemicals are essential to breaking the chain of infection. In the UK, Diversey products are commonly used as they cover all areas of cleaning, disinfection, and infection control.
