John Weir – Healthcare Cleaning Professional

A properly stocked cleaning cart will help prevent wasted trips to supply closets and should be equipped with any of the following items which are necessary for your work:

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The major difference between cleaning a medical facility and any other building is the focus on the un-seen enemy, bacteria. Environmental Service’s job is to not only provide good visible results, but to reduce the number of surface bacteria to a safe level in order to control cross infection. This is an extremely important responsibility because it keeps harmful bacteria from infecting the person next door or across the hall. Persons whose bodies are recuperating from surgery, injury or a primary infection are in a weakened condition and therefore, cannot put p their normal fight against harmful bacteria. A secondary infection in these cases can cause very serious illness.

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Here I continue to list cleaning standards. We use these as a guide to understanding our responsibilities in general cleaning. This is not meant to be a complete list, rather a broad overview. Enjoy your reading:

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I had a request for basic cleaning principles for a doctor’s office. Here is a list for any healthcare facility, and for your home as well.

• Scrubbing is the best way to physically remove dirt, debris and microorganisms.
• Cleaning is required prior to any disinfection process because dirt and debris will decrease the effectiveness of disinfectants.
• Cleaning products should be selected on the basis of their use, efficacy, safety and cost.
• Cleaning should always progress from the least soiled areas to the most soiled areas and from high to low areas, so the the dirtiest areas and debris that falls will be cleaned up last.
• Dry sweeping, mopping and dusting should be avoided to prevent dust and microorganisms from getting into the air and landing on clean surfaces.
• Mixing and dilution instructions must be followed. Too much or too little will reduce the effectiveness of cleaners and disinfectants.
• Cleaning methods and written cleaning schedules (work routines) should be based on the type of surface, amount and type of soil present and the purpose of the area.
• Routine cleaning is necessary to maintain a standard of cleanliness. Work schedules and procedures should be consistent and posted.

There you go, general principles for cleaning hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities summarized.

One of the organizations I am a member of, and actually the first that I joined, is the International Executive Housekeeping Association or IEHA.

Since 1930, the International Executive Housekeepers Association (IEHA) has been a non-profit organization committed to raising professionalism in the cleaning industry and providing a cleaner, safer, healthier environment.

IEHA members are Executive Housekeepers—managers who direct housekeeping programs in commercial, industrial or institutional facilities. IEHA provides members with an array of channels through which they can achieve personal and professional growth. Some are: leadership opportunities; resource materials; education program designation; employment referral service; a Technical Question Hotline (1-800-200-6342); networking; an annual convention and trade show, including several educational sessions; and a monthly trade publication, Executive Housekeeping Today.

Take a moment and learn more about our professional organization:

Storage on the floor must be neat and orderly.

No storage within 18 inches of the ceiling, except on shelves against the wall as long as sprinklers are not obstructed.

No evidence of smoking.

All exit signs are illuminated.

No storage of flammables or anything except cleaning items under sinks.

No door stops are allowed.

All equipment must be placed on one side of the hallway. Preferably nothing is in the hallway except crash carts and isolation supply tables.

Abate all trip hazards (secure cords).

Ensure stairwells are clean and no equipment is stored there.

All chemicals are labeled and your chemical list is available.

Do not block fire pull boxes, fire extinguishers or medical gas shut offs.

No evidence of smoking, no butts within 25′ of an entrance.

All gas cylinders in racks.

No visible dust or dirt on surfaces, floors or equipment.

No linen on floor, furniture or window sills; soiled linen in closed bag or covered hamper. All clean linen is covered.

No employee food/drink in patient refrigerators or at nurses stations. No food or drink on or in housekeeping cart or closet.

Check stairwells for trash and storage.

When an agency inspector comes to inspect your hazardous waste storage area, he looks for things like waste manifests, reports, labels, and plans. Why? Because it is easy to find violations in these areas – either you have filled them out properly or you have not. It is straightforward.

The video below is from an inspector at the California Department of Toxic Substances (DTSC). Listen to what the DTSC inspector has to say about what he looks for in your hazardous waste labels.

Here is a short video from California’s DTSC on the training requirements for hazardous waste generators:

One of the four characteristics of a hazardous waste is “reactivity”. The other three are ignitability, toxicity and corrosivity and these three characteristics are pretty easy to define by measuring the flash point, concentration and pH respectively. Reactivity is a bit harder (less objective) to determine.

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has a short video clip on how to determine reactivity. In general, if something is going to go “boom”, it is likely to be reactive. Or if the MSDS states that a material is reactive with water or unstable, the waste that is derived from that material is likely to be a reactive waste. Enjoy the video.

Winston Churchill said,

"To every man there comes
in his lifetime that special moment when he is
figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered a
chance to do a very special thing, unique to him and
fitted to his talents. What a tragedy if that moment
finds him unprepared or unqualified for the work which
would be his finest hour.”

Don’t expect luck to present you with your finest
hour. Remember, luck is when preparation meets
opportunity. What three things are you doing right
now to prepare for greater opportunity this year –
and to perhaps experience your "finest hour?" The
best person to predict your future is you.

Portrait artist James Whistler decided to paint his
mother when the person who had scheduled an
appointment with him failed to show up. (Don’t wait
on perfect conditions for success to happen; just go
ahead and do something.)