Hospital and clinical treatment centers play a crucial role in our lives. They help us all to become healthier individuals so that we can function at our best. We all trust that once you enter a clinic or hospital it is a bacteria-free and fully sanitized environment. The way that a clinic or hospital smells is different, there’s even a different feeling you get when you enter these facilities.
When it comes to hygiene regulations for hospitals and clinics these environments must adhere to very strict guidelines to ensure the health of patients. This should be the number one concern for the healthiest environment. Both the workers and patients alike should be protected at all times from the spread of bacteria and disease. This can be accomplished easily with the correct cleaning systems in place.
In a medical setting, first impressions are essential – especially as patients are entrusting their healthcare to professionals. Thus, it’s only fitting that these medical facilities do everything within their means to maintain hygiene and sanitation.
More importantly, there are strict hygiene regulation policies in place that will help to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and disease. Following and adhering to these policies is key to the clinical and hospital environment so that patients as well as clinical and hospital staff are protected at all times.
Best practices suggested:
- Wear gloves – Wash your hands before putting the gloves on. Be sure to wear them correctly and remove them correctly as well. Make it a point to change gloves between patient’s rooms and be sure to remove gloves and wash your hands before leaving the patient’s room.
- Surgery cleaning is a vital area that may require changing your gloves several times. This is where you will come in contact with bodily fluids and skin, so be sure to take extra precautions. Change your gloves carefully and frequently to keep yourself safe and prevent cross-contamination, this is a vital step in avoiding negligence claims.
- Concentrate on frequently touched areas – Sanitize the most frequently touched areas inside of the patient’s rooms. Thoroughly sanitize and clean beds and handrails, faucets, phones, doorknobs, light switches, and remote controls. This is very important in helping to keep bacteria and disease at bay.
- Use a hospital grade disinfectant in cleaning the front, top, and sides of the bed frame, mattress, side rails, and the surfaces between the side rails.
- Begin Work from Cleaner to Dirtier Areas – There are too many chances to spread germs if you work backward. Start with patients that have more serious health issues which will most likely result in more in-depth cleaning. Begin cleaning rooms with healthier patients first. Remember mops and towels used may carry germs and bacteria between rooms, so be sure to clean these items thoroughly between patients as well.
- Control Air Pollution – When changing a patient’s bedding, be sure to roll soiled clothing away from your body before carefully placing them inside of linen clothing bins. Do not release excess air from trash bags before tying them. This can cause pathogens to become airborne and uncontrolled.
- Do Not Cross-Contaminate – This is considered the most important and challenging issue to prevent. Carefully disposing and removing directly exposed contaminants of bacteria is worth taking the time to perform correctly. A careful cleaning technique of spraying the correct solutions to kill germs and bacteria, thorough vacuuming, and proper disposal is key to preventing cross-contamination.
- Safely dispose of Contaminated Items – Knowing how and where disposed items should be deposited is imperative. Clinics and hospitals have designated receptacles for contaminated biological materials, dirty fluids, and soiled linens. The proper use of gloves and paying careful attention to how you handle these items will ensure that you do not cross-contaminate.
- Keep Chemical Content Minimal – Harsh chemicals can irritate the skin and harm the nasal passages of both patients and hospital staff. Products used should be effective and safe in killing bacteria and also pleasant to smell.
- Hire a Professional Cleaning Service – By getting a commercial cleaning service such as Albany Cleaning, you can be confident that the hygiene requirements for clinics and hospitals will be met. Cleaning services know the proper ways to avoid cross contamination by using color-coded mops and cloths. Such services will follow the necessary guidelines for clinics and hospitals. A standard cleaning service for medical spaces should involve cleaning all the main areas including toilets, reception area, treatment, and waiting rooms. It should be done by highly trained staff and be specific to the medical site.
A clean and orderly waiting and reception area will make patients feel confident in the medical services provided by the medical facility. High standards of cleanliness in different areas of the facility, from the doctor’s office to the toilets, will be easily achieved by using a commercial cleaning service. This way, you can be sure that your clinic or hospital remains a pleasant and clean environment for both patients and staff.
Final Thoughts
The appearance and cleanliness of healthcare facilities affect the patients’ perception of the hospital or clinic a great deal. Best cleaning and hygiene practices will help patients to relax and take comfort in knowing that they will receive excellent care at that facility. Having an excellent cleaning system in place is key to not only happy patients but also the staff.
Following the steps that are given here will prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and disease which will benefit everyone from patients to administrators. Everyone working together will help hospitals and clinics consistently pass hygiene regulations with flying colors.