Celebrate
Each year we celebrate environmental services week. How about we celebrate everyday for the next year. Our hardworking staff mean so much to staff, visitors and patients.
Happy Environmental Services Week
Happy Environmental Services and Housekeeping week to all the very hard service workers in our industry. In a department comparison test we: Serve more people on a daily basis Save more lives through infection control Clean up the health care environment than any other Talk with more patients each day Handle hundreds more pounds…
Hello Everyone
I’m sorry that I have been inconsistent, or non-existent in updating this website over the past few months. I’m working on so many things I’ve put my time in other areas. Soon I will be adding new content, longer posts that have greater emphasis in learning, team building, and inspiring your staff to greatness. Remember…
Why Measure Environmental Services Quality Daily
Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives. ~Willa A Foster All hospital environmental service departments have some form of quality assurance process. However often the cleaning inspections are done when it is slow,…
Improve your relationships with staff
Here are five things that environmental service leaders should do to improve relationships with staff. Be Visible with Rounding Rounding should include one-on-one rounds with your staff. Ask what is working well and what they need from you to do a better job. Appoint a department champion Identify a department champion who is well respected…
Which Disinfectant Should I Use
Another great question and answer: Q. Which disinfectant should I use when disinfecting environmental surfaces? A. Your facility will specify the EPA approved hospital grade disinfectant to use. A good rule is to only use disinfectants registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). See https://www.epa.gov/oppad001/active-hospital-disinf.pdf. Remember to always follow the instructions on the product…
When should the Environment be Cleaned
Another Question and Answer Q. When should the environment be cleaned and disinfected? A. Housekeeping surfaces (e.g., floors, table tops) and other environmental surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected regularly, when spills occur, and when these surfaces are visibly dirty. Follow your facility’s schedules for routine cleaning and disinfection and for terminal cleaning of rooms…
Differences between Cleaning, Disinfection & Sterilization
Another good question and answer: Q. What is the difference between cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization? A. There is a big difference among these terms. Cleaning refers to the removal of visible soil and organic material (i.e., dirt, body fluids) from objects by washing or scrubbing with water and detergents or soaps and rinsing with water….
Does cleaning really help?
Another question and answer: Q. Does environmental cleaning and disinfection really work in preventing the spread of harmful microorganisms? A. Yes. But how well is works depends on many things, including the nature of the object, the type, number, and location of microorganisms, how well the organisms resist the physical processes or disinfectants, the presence…
Cleaning the Environment
Another question and answer: Q. Why is it important to clean the environment? A. Microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses) are present throughout our environment and can cause infection. The environment can serve as a breeding ground for these organisms. Cleaning and disinfecting housekeeping surfaces and medical equipment, especially those that are frequently touched, is important to…
Environmental Services
Another Question and Answer: Q. In the healthcare or residential setting, what does the “environment” or “environmental surface” mean? A. The environment refers to the patient or resident’s surroundings. When we talk about cleaning the environment, typically we are referring to cleaning and disinfecting objects, like housekeeping surfaces (e.g., floors, tabletops) and medical equipment. It…
Steps for Effective Staff Training
The most important staff related task we have in Environmental Services is in training. Almost every challenge or difficulty we face can be reduced or eliminated with training. To help you I’m going to list steps that will help you conduct successful training. This is not meant…
I Love to Get Up Early
5 practical reasons to get up early everyday: Productivity– Waking early gives us a head start on our goals. We have the time, the solitude, and the space to think clearly and really get absorbed in our goals. Momentum– Waking early gives us higher level of momentum. If we start the day productive, we…
MicroFiber Cleaning Tools
It was more than five years ago that we changed from cotton towels and mops to microfiber towels and mops. The difference has been dramatic. Fresh mops for each patient rooms instead of going to the closet and dumping your big bucket every three rooms. Towels that clean better and don’t deactivate the disinfectant. Less…
Study: Healthcare-acquired infections down but still a problem
Inpatient infection rates are down, but there is still more work to be done. In a report released Friday, the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council said 21,319 of the 1.89 million patients admitted to Pennsylvania hospitals in 2010 acquired an infection. That is a rate of 1.13 percent, down from 1.20 percent the previous…