Cleaning and disinfecting are very important when it comes to medical environments. These two aspects are imperative to preventing infection. It can be difficult to maintain a clean office environment. The good news is that if you have the right cleaning practices in place you will have a clean healthcare facility.
Difference Between Cleaning VS Disinfecting
Many of us assume that cleaning and disinfecting are the same thing, but they aren’t. Cleaning means removing dirt from surfaces. Dirt can contain germs like Influenza, Salmonella and E. coli. Disinfecting will kill these germs. When good cleaning practices are in place, disinfecting is more effective. Products on the market today combine the cleaning and disinfecting process. Make sure the products you are using are multipurpose and have hospital-grade disinfectants in them. These products can remove a broad range of soils as well as disinfect at the same time. They are effective at getting the job done right. Using these multipurpose products will also save you time and money because you won’t need to buy multiple products. For cleaning of critical care units and operating rooms, be sure that guidelines are followed for local and regional government agencies to ensure proper cleaning, disinfecting and sterilization.
Hospital & Medical Practice Protocols
It’s important for staff to be educated in cleaning and disinfecting protocols. Create a checklist of all the surfaces that are touched a lot. These surfaces include bed-rails, sinks, counters, cabinets, doorknobs, chairs, keyboards and light switches. Checklists will ensure that these surfaces are cleaned every time and make sure your checklist includes a way to check items off to meet the cleaning protocol set in place. You will need to have repeat training to maintain the cleanliness of your medical facility.
What is Dwell or Contact Time for Disinfectants?
Dwell time is the length of time that a solution needs to remain on a surface to effectively clean and disinfect. These instructions are on the label of the solution you’re using and need to be followed. Make sure these products aren’t just sprayed on and then wiped off because these solutions are only effective if they are used correctly. It’s also important to clean and sanitize tolls to prevent cross-contamination. The last thing you want is germs spreading from one surface to the next.
Cleaning & Sanitizing Restrooms
Bathrooms are very hard to keep clean because they can harbor bacteria. Bacteria needs to be taken care of correctly, otherwise you will have germs everywhere. Bathrooms have lots of tight space to get cleaned and there are lots of high touch areas to deal with. To ensure regular and effective cleaning and disinfecting, it’s critical to use multipurpose products.
Importance of Handwashing in Nursing
Don’t forget about the importance of handwashing to keep things hygienic. Washing hands frequently is the best way to prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria. Have anti-bacterial soap in bathrooms and/or anti-bacterial gels to make it easy to use. Place signs throughout the facility as to the importance of hand-washing.
Professional Medical Cleaning Services & More in Longmont, Brighton, Dacono, Erie, Lafayette, Louisville, Superior, Eldorado Springs, Fort Lupton, Hygiene & Boulder Colorado
Anyone who enters a medical facility expects it to be clean, and it should be. Contact Baker Sandoval Cleaning to keep your facility that way. Give us a call today!
