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Commercial Cleaning in the Healthcare Industry

February 20, 2015

There is probably no other industry where cleanliness is more important than healthcare.  Whether you are talking about hospitals, doctor’s offices, care homes, or hospices, cleanliness in healthcare is incredibly important in order to prevent the spread of infectious disease between patients, family, and healthcare workers.  Indeed, professional cleaning in the healthcare setting is more than just maintaining an image, it is a central factor guiding the health and safety of all individuals using the facilities.

 

 

So then, it should come as no surprise that selecting professional cleaners for your healthcare facility takes special consideration.  Your average cleaning company may be well equipped to handle the day-to-day tasks of a basic office or commercial facility, but what kinds of cleaning tasks are required in a healthcare facility?  Indeed, there are strict guidelines in place that outline environmental infection control protocols in healthcare facilities associated with preventing infections associated with air, water, and other environmental elements.  From ventilation systems to water systems, dust-control, laundry, and equipment sterilization – there are a wide variety of cleaning factors to consider in the healthcare facility that just do not come up in an office-based setting.

As such, your commercial cleaning companies working in the healthcare industry need to have specific cleaning and disinfection experience and must be specially trained to minimize health risks.  They may need to have training for using specialized equipment and protection and to handle hazard assessments and other infection control program processes.

Ultimately, standard protocols for infection control including routine cleaning are paramount in maintaining a safe and clean hospital environment.  Surfaces, floors, furniture, and equipment must be disinfected using hot water and neutral detergent solutions on a daily basis across all department of the facility.  Office areas even need to be thoroughly cleaned in order to remove microorganisms that may cause harm to patients, visitors, and healthcare workers.

Sometimes, advanced cleaning technologies are called for.  Cleaning and disinfecting on a routine basis is just the starting point for combating infection, but germs appear to be becoming more resistant.  Some studies are even suggesting that current cleaning technologies may take a toll on the health (especially respiratory health) of cleaning staff, patients, and healthcare workers.  In other words, there are always new and safer cleaning methods being developed to ensure a sanitary environment without imposing risks on the people using the facilities.

Clearly, keeping healthcare facilities clean and free of toxins and infectious agents is of paramount concern.  More importantly, to ensure quality cleaning it is always important to work with a commercial cleaning company that has proven experience working in the healthcare industry.  Not only is this important for patients and healthcare workers, but it is increasingly becoming clear that it’s equally important for the cleaning staff as well.