The delivery of medical care across the globe has many benefits, as it does adverse outcomes. Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are the most common adverse outcomes hospital visitors are likely to experience (Assadian et al., 2021). Healthcare-associated infections cause additional healthcare costs, prolonged hospital stays, and increased morbidity and mortality.
The purpose of this article is to describe 3 practical cleaning practices to reduce the transmission of germs from one surface to another and ultimately reduce the risk of HAI in healthcare facilities. The three major practices are: 1) regular surface cleaning, 2) disinfection, and, 3) sterilization.
Regular Surface Cleaning
The term 'cleaning'' refers to removing all visible dust, dirt, and any foreign materials in the hospital. Using a detergent and water to clean all surfaces within the healthcare setting reduces the facility's bioburden. Bioburden, according to Tuttnauer.com, is defined as the population of viable organisms on an instrument, a material, package, or product.
For most types of medical equipment, surface cleaning, no matter how regular, is just a first step to getting rid of germs, with disinfection and sterilization playing a huge role in getting the job done. Regular surface cleaning eliminates all breeding grounds for surviving germs, which prevents corrosion of highly precise and pricey medical tools.
2. Disinfection
In the medical field, the terms disinfection and decontamination are usually interchanged. The major issue is that medical equipment cannot be infected in the first place; only animals or humans can. Imagine coming across a feverish needle or a coughing pair of scissors: it's impossible! While disinfection isn't medically or strictly correct, it is the most used term to describe the second-best germ and infection control practice.
Disinfection is the destruction of all living or vegetative microorganisms. The disinfection process usually doesn't kill all bacterial spores, which are difficult-to-kill bacterial forms that usually exist in a hibernation state, with the power to withstand tough conditions.
Disinfection can be done on several levels. These levels depend highly on the medical object and its intended use. Healthcare settings adopt high-level disinfection techniques for semi-critical medical equipment, such as endoscopes that often come into contact with mucous membranes. And low-level disinfection methods are implemented for non-critical items that come into contact with only intact skin, such as stethoscopes. Disinfection is done with a mixture of chemicals, using an automatic washer and disinfector machines. Think dishwasher, but for tools instead of dishes.
3. Sterilization
The sterilization cleaning practice is undoubtedly the last and most serious. This is usually done after all equipment has gone through cleaning and disinfection. Sterilization generally kills all bacterial spores and microorganisms through moist heat, dry heat, radiation, and gas or chemical or gas biocide.
Depending on the needs of a hospital, they might rely on an autoclave for sterilization. This specialized machine utilizes pressurized high temperatures to kill all microorganisms on equipment. Modern autoclaves run different cycles for different kinds of equipment, and they are also available in different sizes, depending on the hospital's needs.
The spread of germs in hospitals could worsen a patient's health conditions and, in extreme cases, lead to death. For this reason, prevention is always considered better than cure: every recovering or ill patient should feel safe enough to enter a healthcare setting.
There are countless ways to curb the spread of infections, but healthcare facilities must take major steps. Simple yet consistent cleaning strategies such as checking surfaces, equipment, and all areas within the facility, are a great way to reduce the risk of transmitting germs, saving many lives.
References
Assadian, O., Harbarth, S. J., Vos, M. C., Knobloch, J. K., Asensio, A., & Widmer, A. F. (2021, July 1). Practical recommendations for routine cleaning and disinfection procedures in healthcare institutions: a narrative review. Journal of Hospital Infection; Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2021.03.010
Assadian, O., Harbarth, S. J., Vos, M. C., Knobloch, J. K., Asensio, A., & Widmer, A. F. (2021, July 1). Practical recommendations for routine cleaning and disinfection procedures in healthcare institutions: a narrative review. Journal of Hospital Infection; Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2021.03.010
Resources
Here are additional resources for you to increase your janitorial knowledge further and stay updated on new trends in facility maintenance.
Distinct Cleaning News and Media Post: Easy to read blog articles on various topics and trends in the commercial janitorial space.
Janitorial Work and Tutorial Videos: Quick cleaning tutorial and before and after videos intended to give the audience a glimpse into various janitorial works.
Janitorial Coaching Business Hub: This is an excellent place for anyone who has a regular job yet wants to start their own janitorial business. You can find coaching and other strategic opportunities available.
