According to the World Health Organization, as many as 100,000 people die every year from the bugs that they catch in a hospital, often due to lapses in cleaning protocols.
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Compass Cleaning Solutions, a professional cleaning company, notes how maintaining an impeccably clean environment in medical centers is crucial for protecting staff and patients from such serious and even deadly infections.
Here are some common cleaning mistakes in medical facilities to avoid in order to steer clear of infections.
Cleaning Mistakes in Medical Facilities
Inadequate Cleaning Procedures
One common cleaning mistake cleaning staff make is failing to clean before disinfecting. Disinfectants are less effective on dirt and debris, which is why surfaces must be cleaned before they are disinfected. Large surfaces, especially high-touch areas, need to be frequently wiped to avoid bacteria traveling from one place to another.
Failing to Use the Right Products
Using the wrong cleaning products is not only ineffective but can also be quite harmful. This is because healthcare settings have different surfaces and areas that require specific cleaning agents to clean without damaging them. For optimal results, follow manufacturer guidelines and protocol.
Inadequate Waste Disposal
Infections can spread easily via biohazardous waste such as used needles, bodily fluids, and even contaminated dressings. All kinds of waste must be properly treated and disposed of to ensure safety.
Lack of Ventilation
Healthcare settings with inadequate ventilation can lead to the accumulation of contaminants and airborne pathogens. On the contrary, high ventilation decreases the risk of infection by diluting contaminants in indoor spaces.
Inconsistent Cleaning Protocols
Another common mistake in cleaning medical facilities is using inconsistent cleaning protocols. By ignoring proper protocol, such as cleaning some areas and avoiding others just because they look clean, one gives room for potential infection hotspots.
Using Dirty Cleaning Supplies
Cleaning and maintaining cleaning supplies is the most important part of a good cleaning routine. Wipes, mops, buckets, and other supplies that are dirty or improperly maintained leads to ineffective cleaning and disinfection. This is why they must be properly sanitized before use.
Insufficient Staff Training
In the case when healthcare staff isn’t adequately trained on cleaning procedures, they remain unaware of the proper use of cleaning products and disinfectants, correct cleaning techniques, and even the right infection control measures. As a result, healthcare spaces remain unsanitary and allow infections to spread.
Lack of Regular Inspection
A lack of regular inspection leads to cleaning lapses, unnoticed hazards, and increased risks of infections. It is one of the most common cleaning mistakes made in medical facilities.
Disregarding Health and Safety Regulations
In order to avoid accidents and injuries, it is crucial to regard health and safety regulations in place.
Cleaning staff may expose themselves to hazardous substances, patients and visitors may bare themselves to injuries by slipping or tripping, and inadequate cleaning may also lead to increased patient stays due to vulnerability to infections. These regulations help protect both patients and staff.
Lack of Cleaning Schedules
Cleaning schedules help establish a consistent cleaning routine and help keep medical facilities clean. If there are no cleaning schedules made, or there are schedules but aren’t followed properly, it will lead to areas that are overlooked or unsatisfactorily cleaned.
Ignoring Feedback
Those who regularly use the premises in a healthcare setting, such as patients and staff, can best notify cleaning staff on high-touch surfaces, hazardous waste, and other cleanliness related information.
This is because they have firsthand knowledge of which areas are frequently touched or where cleanliness issues arise. For this reason, it is important to incorporate their feedback in the cleaning protocol.
Poor Hand Hygiene
One often overlooked hygiene issue in medical settings is that of hand hygiene. Cleaning staff often fail to wash their hands or neglect proper handwashing procedures during cleaning, leading to cross-contamination.
Improper Storage of Cleaning Supplies
Properly storing cleaning supplies is equally crucial as keeping them clean. Improper storage can lead to safety hazards and even contamination. Cleaning supplies should be kept in their designated areas, ensuring they are kept under proper ventilation and temperature control.
Overlooking Floors and Carpets
Floors and carpets are often overlooked by cleaning staff out of all cleaning areas. Floors, especially carpets, contain dirt, pathogens, and allergens. Insufficient cleaning of such areas leads to poor air quality and even respiratory problems.
Lack of Proper Documentation
Another common cleaning mistake made in medical facilities is a lack of proper documentation. Documenting cleaning procedures, schedules, and product usage helps in their accountability and compliance. This in turn helps to effectively track cleanliness in medical settings.
