Cleaning in care facilities

By Joe Davis s
From the June number 2018

Professionals of Long-Term Care (LTC) are challenged to find ways to be efficient and control costs while striving to minimize epidemic and other infections that can be transmitted to long-term care areas. This type of facility includes nursing homes, specialized nursing homes and assisted living. The proper cleaning and disinfection of the rooms and rooms in the living spaces can help to reduce the transmission of diseases. Although it may seem intuitive, cleaning is the first step to ensuring that the disinfection is done properly. There are simple tips that cleaners can use to keep public areas clean and help reduce the spread of infectious diseases among residents and employees.

Cleaning surfaces is important in the first place to remove dirt and grime
It can contain germs and bacteria, paving the way for better disinfection.
(Photo: P & G Professional)

Educate and train the staff. It takes time and consistency to create and maintain proper cleaning protocols, but once that's done, the potential dividends of a formal cleaning training program can be significant. Well-trained employees can be more proud of improving the environment for the residents through appropriate cleaning and disinfection techniques. Staff must receive training, procedures and regular formal tools such as online training.

Use Multifunctional Products To simplify cleaning and disinfecting tasks while increasing efficiency, facility managers must select EPA-approved multi-purpose products designed to clean a variety of workspaces and disinfect in one step. Cleaning is primarily important to remove soil and soil surfaces that may contain germs and bacteria, and opens the door for better disinfection. Cleaning and disinfecting with a product can help simplify the cleaning process and ensure that the entire task is performed correctly from the start.

Areas of high sensitivity. An easy way to combat the spread of germs is to pay special attention to the highest contact points in long-term care facilities. These high contact surfaces are the places where high level microbial transmission can occur more frequently; They should be handled during the training and regularly reviewed by the management to ensure that they are cleaned and disinfected if necessary. These critical touch points include door handles, faucets, food trays, countertops, chairs, tables, counters, toilet handles, handrails and knobs. The cleaning staff should clean and disinfect these areas during the day.

Promoting Hand Washing Hand washing is one of the most important steps employees can take to combat the spread of germs, bacteria and disease. Facility managers need to develop and implement a proper hand washing protocol to reduce germs and hold staff accountable. You should also ensure that areas where staff regularly wash their hands are regularly stored and inspected to ensure that the soap, hand sanitizer and towel dispensers are full and accessible. Washing your hands should not be limited to your employees, but should help the residents and visitors in their everyday lives.

Fragrances and aromas. The smell is a key indicator that a surface or surface is not really clean, which can affect not only the comfort of a resident, but also the impression the members of the furnishing family have. Cleaning and disinfecting with strong brands and well-known products can provide a soothing and familiar experience that reassures residents and visitors, especially in the LTC sector, where familiar fragrances can help residents be at home.

Facility managers should always be vigilant when cleaning and training their staff. Facilitating good hand washing practices, identifying contact areas, and regular cleaning and disinfection, Facility Managers can help keep the environment clean and sanitary. This, in turn, can help contain epidemics and diseases in long-term care facilities.

The decision to transfer a family member to long-term care is never easy and it is not surprising that one of the most important considerations is whether the home is comfortable and the standard of living is good. what the potential resident is used to. , Environmental factors such as smelly toilets, tables and chairs, or sticky sofas and fragrant curtains can negatively impact on the first impression of those in need of care and reduce the overall satisfaction of the residents. Residents feel better in a clean and inviting atmosphere that helps them feel at home, be it with visible cleanliness, rooms with a fresh fragrance or a space without space.

Davis brings P & G Professional , the division of Procter & Gamble, which includes food, cleaning and maintenance of buildings, healthcare, catering and food, with food, pharmaceuticals, retail and health care and drugs. Industries. The company also offers free online training for cleaning professionals through its professional university P & G. Davis joined Procter & Gamble in 1996 and has worked in many companies, particularly in the field of information technology. global consumer relations and customer development. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Northern Kentucky University.

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