Category: Healthcare Cleaning

10 Jul 2022
doctor's office

THE DIRTIEST THING IN YOUR DOCTOR’S OFFICE ISN’T WHAT YOU THINK

 

doctor's office

 

Trips to the doctor’s office are a part of life and generally, they are intended to keep us well and in good health. But is your doctor’s office really clean? Aside from all of the coughing and sneezing that goes on in the typical waiting room, there are germs lurking in places you might not have considered.

If you are a physician operating out of a private office or outpatient facility, you likely take cleanliness very seriously. After all, your clientele is coming to you because they are sick. That means that they are inevitably bringing germs and bacteria into your office environment. Even the patient with a broken arm is likely bringing some germs and bacteria into your office.

Having your office professionally cleaned and sanitized on a daily basis can go a long way toward keeping you, your staff, and your patients safe but maintaining a clean doctor’s office requires continued vigilance and maintenance.

Once the cleaning crew finishes their work and a new day begins, patients and staff are busy – if inadvertently – spreading germs and bacteria throughout your office. This is inevitable and it is your responsibility to mitigate the spread of germs during office hours.

One of the keys to stopping the spread of germs is the cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces. In today’s blog post we are going to reveal some of the germiest surfaces in your office. Some of them may surprise you.

Recent research conducted by InsuranceQuotes.com ranked four of the ‘germiest’ surfaces in a typical doctor’s office setting. These are just some of the areas that should be regularly cleaned and disinfected throughout the day.

DOOR HANDLES

Not surprisingly, door handles made the list of the geekiest surfaces in a doctor’s office. Door handles, whether on the main entrance, the restroom, or other internal spaces are one of the most touched surfaces in any facility. The fact that many of the people touching door handles in a medical setting are already sick makes doctor office door handles a bit more ominous.

What may be surprising to many is that door handles were ranked as the fourth ‘germiest’ surfaces in the typical doctor’s office setting. Despite this relatively low ranking on the list, door handles should be cleaned and disinfected regularly throughout the day.

WAITING ROOM CHAIR ARMREST

The armrests of chairs in a doctor’s office are the third most germ-ridden surfaces, harboring more bacteria than the typical toilet seat. Again, the typical patient population has a high percentage of people who are already ill. They have a much greater potential for spreading germs and bacteria than a healthy individual. Regardless, every individual that uses an armrest will leave something behind.

Cleaning and sanitizing waiting room chair armrests after every use can go a long way toward stopping the spread of germs in your medical office.

THE DOCTOR’S KEYBOARD

Coming in at number two on the list is the doctor’s keyboard. This is a bit surprising when you consider that in general, doctors are more hygienically conscious than the average individual. Still, the doctor’s keyboard is often used by other staff besides the doctor, and keyboards are often neglected during routine cleaning.

It is important to not overlook the keyboard when cleaning and disinfecting your office. Doctors should also consider keeping hand sanitizers at the desk so that hands can be sanitized prior to and after using the computer keyboard.

AND THE NUMBER ONE ‘GERMIEST’ SURFACE IN YOUR DOCTOR’S OFFICE IS …

Believe it or not, the surface that was found to harbor the most germs in this particular study was the clipboard pen. When we think about it, this makes perfect sense. Virtually every patient that enters the office touches the clipboard pen when signing in. According to the study the average clipboard pen has over 46,000 times more germs than an average toilet seat!

Clipboard pens should be wiped down thoroughly with disinfecting wipes after every use to help avoid the spread of germs. Providing hand sanitizers at the reception desk is also a good idea.

BONUS TIP FOR THE TIE-WEARING PHYSICIAN

Earlier studies have shown that a doctor’s tie ranks among the most germ-ridden surfaces in the doctor’s office. You might want to make additional trips to the dry cleaners.

WANT MORE TIPS FOR MAINTAINING A GERM-FREE MEDICAL FACILITY?

Call or contact Complete Care Maintenance for a free consultation. We can help you to identify areas for improvement in your current cleaning and disinfecting procedures.

20 Mar 2022
medical facility cleaning

5 KEYS TO EFFECTIVE MEDICAL FACILITY CLEANING

medical facility cleaning

Medical facility cleaning is not something that can be delegated to an office cleaning staff. Medical facility environments require a much more focused and procedural approach to cleaning and disinfecting. Commercial cleaning companies that offer medical facility cleaning services are held to much higher standards than your typical commercial cleaning company and they should have definitive policies and procedures in place to ensure that the needs of the facility are met.

When hiring a medical facility cleaning contractor it is important to ensure that they have experience with medical environments, that they understand the unique requirements of these environments, and that they have the staff, equipment, and expertise to meet the unique needs of the facility.

Here are five key areas to consider when developing a medical facility cleaning program:

1) Organization and Administration

A qualified medical facility cleaning contractor should be able to provide you with an organizational chart that clearly defines the chain of command with regard to your cleaning staff. This should include a primary and secondary contact person, clearly defined onsite supervisors, and job descriptions for all staff involved in the cleaning of the facility.

In addition, a communications policy should be clearly defined which outlines contact persons, preferred methods of communication, emergency communications protocols, and frequency of meetings such as facility walkthroughs, feedback meetings, and service reviews.

2) Staffing and Training

The size of your facility, the amount of traffic it receives, and its unique cleaning requirements are all important factors in determining the appropriate number of staff. Your provider should be able to review the unique requirements of your facility and ensure that staffing levels are adequate.

Even more important than staffing levels is the training that the staff receives. A qualified medical facility cleaning contractor should have mandatory, ongoing training programs in place for all cleaning staff. Training for medical facility cleaning staff should be based on national or facility level cleaning guidelines and should include:

  • Training in infection control and cross-contamination mitigation
  • Understanding of CDC and CMS recommendations
  • Procedures for the management of biological, chemical, and radioactive waste
  • Proper handling, use, and storage of chemicals
  • Equipment operation and maintenance
  • OSHA training
  • HIPPA regulations
  • Orientation to the facility layout and key areas of concern
  • Policy and procedure reviews

3) Equipment and Supplies

One of the advantages of hiring a medical facility cleaning contractor is that they will typically provide all necessary cleaning equipment and supplies. Whether these items are stored at your facility or brought to and from the facility by the service provider should be stipulated in the cleaning contract. 

Regardless, it is important that your cleaning services provider have all the necessary tools, equipment, and supplies required to effectively clean and maintain your facility.

4) Policies and Procedures

Medical facilities typically have cleaning and disinfecting policies in place. These should be discussed with your cleaning services provider to ensure that those policies are followed. In addition, policies regarding facility-specific safety protocols, security, and patient interactions should be communicated to the cleaning contractor. These policies can then be communicated to the cleaning staff through their regularly scheduled training program.

In addition to facility-level policies and procedures, it is important for medical facility staff to understand the policies and procedures of the cleaning contractor. Your provider should be able to provide written policies and procedures that their cleaning staff is required to adhere to.

5) Monitoring and Feedback

Monitoring of cleaning staff should be performed both by the cleaning contractor and the facility level staff to ensure that policies and procedures are being followed and that the terms of the contract are being met.

All facility staff should be encouraged to provide feedback with regard to the effectiveness of the cleaning contractor and their staff. A formal process should be in place that allows staff to easily communicate feedback whether positive or negative.

In addition, there should be regularly scheduled meetings between facility management and the cleaning contractor’s supervisory team to review feedback and act upon it.

31 Jan 2022
healthcare facility cleaning

HEALTHCARE FACILITY CLEANING: WHAT YOUR PROVIDER SHOULD KNOW

healthcare facility cleaning

Finding a professional healthcare facility cleaning service can be challenging. Healthcare facility cleaning requires an experienced team with a unique skill set to understand the nuances of working in a healthcare environment. They must be well trained in current cleaning best practices, be knowledgeable about current healthcare regulations, and be able to work well within a community of patients and providers.

HEALTHCARE FACILITY CLEANING – BEST PRACTICES

Healthcare facilities have strict protocols with regard to cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing. Cleaning teams working in these settings must be familiar with these protocols and adhere to them to ensure that cleanliness standards are met. A qualified healthcare cleaning provider will be prepared with the proper tools, equipment, products, and cleaning techniques and procedures. They should be able to provide detailed reports that describe their training procedures, compliance with applicable regulations, and understanding of healthcare cleaning best practices.

When working within your facility their knowledge and expertise should be demonstrated with the following:

  • The use of healthcare-specific cleaning tools and technologies
  • Use of chemical cleaners designed for healthcare applications
  • Knowledge of how to clean specialized medical equipment
  • Demonstrated understanding of cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing protocols
  • Adherence to cross-contamination mitigation protocols
  • The use of personal protective equipment
  • Demonstrated understanding of hazardous waste handling policies and procedures
  • Onsite supervisors that specialize in medical facility cleaning

 

CURRENT HEALTHCARE REGULATIONS

Providers of healthcare facility cleaning services need to remain up-to-date on current healthcare regulations. They should be familiar with and regularly follow recommendations from all recognized healthcare regulating bodies. In addition, they should have regular training protocols in place to ensure that their healthcare cleaning teams and supervisors are aware of current cleaning standards and healthcare regulations. Your healthcare facility cleaning provider should be familiar with at least the following:

  • The Association for the Healthcare Environment
  • The Association of PeriOperative Registered Nurses
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
  • The Environmental Protection Agency
  • The Health Information Portability and Accountability Act
  • The Occupational Health and Safety Administration

 

WORKING WITHIN THE HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENT

Healthcare cleaning providers must be able to work well in an environment made up of patients, visitors, and providers and must act with respect and professionalism toward all. Well-trained healthcare cleaning staff know how to do their work quickly, safely, and respectfully with minimal disruption to those around them. They understand patient dignity concerns and are respectful, compassionate, and professional when interacting with patients, doctors, nurses, and visitors.

Not everyone is cut out for these types of interactions and responsible healthcare cleaning services proactively train their staff to hone excellent interpersonal communication skills. A well-trained cleaning crew will have positive impacts on patients, visitors, and staff both through their cleaning expertise and their daily interactions.

DOES YOUR HEALTHCARE FACILITY CLEANING SERVICE MEET THESE STANDARDS?

Healthcare facility cleaning is more than just cleaning. It is a specialized service that requires a diverse set of skills and knowledge that you will not find in a typical commercial cleaning provider. It is important that you research prospective providers and ensure that they have the knowledge, training, and experience to meet the demands of a healthcare environment.

Complete Care Maintenance has been providing healthcare cleaning services for more than three decades. We have the tools, knowledge, experience, and training to meet and exceed your facility’s needs. Call or contact us today to learn how we can help.

01 Jun 2021
cross-contamination

Avoid Cross-Contamination When Cleaning

cross-contamination

Oftentimes the spread of germs is facilitated by cross-contamination. Cross-contamination is defined as the transfer of bacteria or other microorganisms from one substance to another. Surprisingly, cross-contamination often occurs as a result of cleaning. While this may sound counter-intuitive, poor cleaning practices are a major source of cross-contamination. Professional cleaning companies recognize this fact and put in place procedures and protocols that are designed to mitigate the risk of cross-contamination.

How To Avoid Cross-Contamination When Cleaning

Use Smart Cleaning Processes

Putting cleaning processes in place helps ensure that cleaning duties are performed in a consistent manner. Smart cleaning processes take into consideration the risk of cross-contamination and focus on taking steps to prevent it.

  1. Always start with a clean pair of gloves and fresh cleaning equipment.
  2. Clean one area at a time.
  3. Always clean from top to bottom, wiping down surfaces with an effective cleaning solution.
  4. Spray disinfectant on all high-touch surfaces like desks, phones, doorknobs and push plates, elevator buttons, counters, railings, and all bathroom surfaces, following manufacturer recommendations for saturation and dwell time.
  5. Finally, clean the floor starting from an inside corner and working your way toward the exit.
  6. Place cleaning cloths, mop heads, and other used cleaning tools in a plastic bag and dispose of your gloves when you finish.
  7. Repeat this process for every area that you clean, never using the same cleaning cloths, mop heads, etc.

Color Code Your Cleaning Supplies

Color-coding cleaning supplies is an excellent way to reduce cross-contamination. For instance, always having ample supplies of cleaning cloths in pre-defined colors can help cleaning crews avoid using the same cloth in two distinctly different areas. A simple color-coding system might look like this:

  • Red – Red clothes and equipment marked in red are designated for high-risk areas like toilets and urinals.
  • Yellow – Yellow cloths and equipment are designated for medium-risk surfaces like restroom sinks and countertops.
  • Green –  Green is designated for lower-risk areas such as office areas and non-prep food surfaces.
  • Blue – Blue cleaning supplies are reserved for low-risk surfaces like glass and mirrors.

With a color-coded system like this, you can avoid can mitigate cross-contamination and more easily monitor workers to ensure they are following protocols.

Choose The Right Tools

Choosing microfiber over traditional cloths and mop heads is a big step forward in reducing cost-contamination. Traditional cleaning cloths and mop heads are made from absorbent cotton fiber. One study conducted by the University of California Davis Medical Center in collaboration with the EPA that traditional wet loop mops reduced bacteria by 30%, while microfiber mop heads showed a 99% reduction in bacteria.

Microfiber traps bacteria in the fibers of the mop while wet loop mops capture bacteria in the water molecules. Every time a wet loop mop gets dunked in a body of water the bacteria are released, only to be redistributed on the surface being cleaned. Microfiber employs positively charged particles to trap dust particles which is where the bacteria hide. It is a much more effective method for removing bacteria from surfaces.

Like microfiber Hepa filters do a better job of trapping dust particles that harbor germs and bacteria. Traditional vacuums typically employ a cotton or polyester fiber filter that fails to hold the dust as well as the fiberglass and charcoal found in a Hepa filter. Selecting a Hepa filter vacuum will help reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

Segregate Cleaning Staff

Assigning designated staff members to areas throughout your facility is a great way to mitigate cross-contamination. Allowing the same individual to clean the restroom and the kitchen can easily create cross-contamination concerns.

People, whether they realize it or not can collect and carry germs and bacteria on their clothing, shoes, hands, and hair. Limiting cleaning crew staff to designated areas helps to reduce the risk of transmission.

Employ A Commercial Cleaning Company

A well-organized and well-managed commercial cleaning company will already have these protocols and procedures in place. They will be fully versed in the use of proper chemicals and equipment, and they understand how to clean and disinfect virtually any surface.

30 Apr 2021
cleaning and disinfecting

Cleaning And Disinfecting: The New Normal

cleaning and disinfecting

There is no denying it. The new normal demands that everyone steps up their cleaning and disinfecting protocols and procedures.

Let’s put all of our cards on the table and stop him-hawing around. There is no denying that the Covid-19 pandemic has ushered in a new normal for all of us and change is in the air. There is no longer time for a wait-and-see mentality. We have waited. We have seen. The elephant in the room can no longer be ignored.

We can not walk into a grocery store without noticing how Covid-19 has changed the world in which we live. Every interaction we have, every building we enter, every time we venture out in public, it is another environment we have been exposed to, another risk we have taken.  We have risked not just our own safety, but the safety of our family, friends, and neighbors. Everywhere we go, we are wary of the unseen danger.

People need to feel safe in these unprecedented times and as facility managers and business owners, we play a key role in adjusting to the new normal. We must help people to feel safe. It is both social responsibility and business imperative.

Cleaning And Disinfecting Makes People Feel Safe

The first step in making people feel safe in your facility is to create and implement a cleaning and disinfecting program that addresses peoples’ concerns. Your program should the latest safety, infection control, and cleaning protocols recommended in official guidance from the CDC, WHO, and OSHA. Your program should utilize EPA-recommended cleaning agents and disinfectants that are designated for use against Covid-19. You should also provide clear policies and procedures for cleaning and disinfecting your facility and include training for all employees on the proper handling, dwell times, and use of all cleaning chemicals and disinfectants.

That is a lot of work and it will take time and money to implement properly. There is the cost of chemicals and cleaning equipment, time spent researching and training staff on proper use, and safety protocols. And, of course, the time your staff will spend doing the actual cleaning and disinfecting – time they will not be spending doing the work you pay them to do.

If you do not have robust cleaning and disinfecting protocols already in place, starting from scratch may not be a viable option. You may find it more efficient and less costly to hire a reputable commercial cleaning company that has the equipment and know-how to hit the ground running.

Qualified commercial cleaning companies already have the trained staff, the proper procedures and protocols, the right tools and chemicals, and the knowledge and experience to clean and disinfect your facility effectively. All this adds up to reduced costs for you, faster time to implementation, improved employee productivity, and favorable public perception for your business.

The new normal demands that business owners and facility managers make cleaning and disinfecting an integral part of the customer service offerings. Customers, business partners, and staff now consider health and safety a top priority and it is your job to make them feel safe. This shift in public perception is not likely to go away anytime soon and the sooner you put a rigorous cleaning and disinfecting program in place, the better.

20 Apr 2021
janitorial services

Getting The Most Out Of Your Janitorial Services Company

janitorial cleaning

Hiring a janitorial services company can be a huge boon for your business, especially in the midst of the current pandemic. But we should not forget that janitorial services also come with a price tag and it is vital that you understand how to get the most out of your janitorial service provider to ensure the greatest return on your investment. Here are a few tips that will help you and your provider deliver the most bang for your buck:

Get An Accurate Janitorial Services Estimate

Often times when hiring a janitorial service for your place of business, cost becomes a primary factor in determining which provider you choose. It is important to keep in mind that low pricing is not really what ensures a healthy ROI. When vetting commercial cleaning companies you will likely receive a variety of quotes from different providers, and business owners often assume that all the quotes they receive reflect the same level of service.

The reality is if you do not take the time to clearly define your organizational needs you are leaving it up to the service provider to determine the level of service they will provide. Having a clear understanding of what you expect from your janitorial services company and ensuring that they understand your needs and expectations will go a long way toward getting more accurate quotes.

You should know how much space will need to be serviced, how much traffic that space receives, what services you require to maintain the space, and how often it will need to be cleaned. This information is important to your janitorial services provider because different facilities require different cleaning programs, different equipment, larger crews, and potentially more specialized cleaning and/or security protocols. All of these things are taken into consideration when providing an estimated cost for services.

How You Can Reduce Janitorial Services Costs

Consider Your Space

If we consider janitorial services costs on a cost per square foot basis we can find ways to reduce the cost overall. Obviously, the fewer square feet that need to be cleaned the lower the total cost. Of course, you do not want your janitorial services provider to only clean half of your office, but you may find that some areas of your facility require less frequent cleaning. Perhaps your 10,000 sq/ft facility houses 5,000 sq/ft of storage space, 2,500 sq/ft, of office space, and 2,500 sq/ft of common area. Your storage area likely does not need daily cleaning and if it does, it may be a task that can be managed by in-house staff, the same may be true for private office space. On the other hand, common areas and public-facing spaces do require more frequent and thorough cleaning.

Offer Employees A Work-From-Home Incentive

Believe it or not, the amount of traffic in your facility can impact the cost of cleaning. A break room that services 15 employees is much easier to clean than one that services 50 employees. Allowing employees to work from home when possible reduces the amount of daily traffic in your facility and the amount of time required to clean it. For instance, if your office building houses 35 private offices, that takes a relatively large cleaning crew several hours to properly clean. If half of your office staff works from home, you have effectively cut your cleaning requirements in half.

Consider The Frequency Of Cleaning

As was stated earlier, some areas in your facility require daily cleaning and disinfecting. Lobbies, entryways, breakrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and shared office spaces, just to name a few. These are the areas that you want your janitorial services provider to focus on. Other areas such as storage areas, stockrooms, and private offices may only need to be professionally cleaned once a week, or every other week.

Getting What You Paid For

Just as providing an accurate quote requires you to clearly communicate your needs and expectations, meeting your needs over time requires that you communicate effectively with your janitorial services provider. Organizational needs change over time and if you do not communicate these changes effectively, your service provider will have no incentive or reason to change the services they are providing.

Any reputable janitorial services company wants to retain your business. It is far less expensive for them to maintain an existing client account than to acquire a new one. They want to meet and exceed your expectations. That is why when needs or expectations change you should communicate those changes clearly to your provider.

This is true even when your needs have not changed, but your expectations are not being met. You should always reach out to your point of contact with the janitorial services company with any and all concerns. If you hired a reputable provider, they will bend over backward to ensure your expectations are met.

13 Feb 2021
urgent care cleaning

Urgent Care Cleaning 5 Best Practices

urgent care cleaning

Urgent Care clinics require constant cleaning and disinfecting under the best of circumstances. With flu season in full swing and a lingering pandemic, the importance of urgent care cleaning and disinfecting protocols can not be overstated. Whether you hire a professional cleaning company to manage these tasks or train in-house staff to address your clinic’s cleaning needs, there are some very basic protocols that need to be followed.

1) Prioritize High-Touch Surfaces

High-touch surfaces are those that tend to come into contact with patients and staff on a regular basis. Door handles, light switches, bed rails, telephones, and shared office equipment are just some examples of high-touch surfaces. These surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected multiple times per day to help reduce the spread of viruses and bacteria.

The first step is to thoroughly clean the surface with the appropriate cleaning agent and allow it to dry. Step two is to use a CDC-recommended disinfectant to kill any bacteria that are residing on the surface. Be certain to allow for the appropriate dwell time as per the manufactures recommendations.

2) Develop A Cleaning Strategy

To properly clean and disinfect your urgent care facility it is important to develop a strategy. Once developed, your cleaning strategy should be used as the defacto procedure by which every facility cleaning session is completed.  Your cleaning strategy should prioritize when and where cleaning should occur and in what order.

Urgent care facilities typically have a variety of rooms that can be classified based on their utility and general ‘dirtiness’. A doctor’s personal office space is likely not as dirty as an examination room or the facility’s restroom. When developing your cleaning strategy it is wise to address the least dirty areas first and move on toward progressively dirtier areas of the clinic. Prioritizing cleaning in this way can help reduce the spread of germs and bacteria.

3) Use Proper Chemicals And Equipment

Knowing which chemicals to use on which surfaces is extremely important as some disinfectants are more effective on certain surface types and some surfaces can be damaged by too harsh a cleaning agent. In addition, some chemicals can cause respiratory distress in some individuals. Know your chemicals and how and where to use them.

Utilizing the right equipment is nearly as important and can reduce effort and promote more effective cleaning and disinfecting. For instance, microfiber mops and cleaning cloths can help reduce bacteria when compared to other options. Take the time to learn about the best equipment and cleaning supplies for your clinic’s particular needs.

4) Reduce Or Eliminate Cross-Contamination

As an urgent care facility manager, you are acutely aware of the dangers of cross-contamination. One of the most important considerations for any cleaning protocol is how best to limit or eliminate the potential for cross-contamination. Cleaning cloths and mops used in one area should always be decommissioned prior to moving on to another area of the facility. They should be placed in a sealed plastic bag for laundering. When preparing to clean the next area on your list always start with fresh cleaning cloths and mop heads.

5) Reduce Airborne Contaminants

Your urgent care cleaning strategy should address airborne contaminants and utilizing the proper equipment and procedures is the key. For instance, using HEPA filter vacuums and microfiber cleaning cloths can significantly reduce airborne particulate and bacteria. Protocols should be put in place for waste disposal, proper bedding and laundry procedures., and hazardous waste disposal.

Want Help Setting Up Your Urgent Care Cleaning Program?

Complete Care Maintenance can help you to set up an effective cleaning and disinfection protocol for your urgent care facility. Even better, we can provide urgent care cleaning services for you saving you time and money while giving you, your staff, and your patients greater peace of mind.

30 Jan 2021
healthcare facility cleaning

5 Areas Hospital Cleaning Crews Often Overlook

healthcare facility cleaning

Medical facility and hospital cleaning is a serious business. Proper cleaning and disinfecting is crucial to overall health and safety and is a vital aspect of any infection control program. Furthermore, while hospitals and medical facilities are very stringent with infection control protocols, recent studies show that there are still areas within these facilities that are routinely overlooked. Here are five areas within your medical facility that cleaning crews might be missing:

1) Privacy Curtains

Privacy curtains are designed to provide privacy for patients and are likely one of the most touched items in a hospital setting. Nurses, doctors, visitors, and patients are coming in contact with these cloth room dividers and every one of them is potentially leaving germs behind. In fact, a recent study in the American Journal of Infection Control tracked the contamination of ten freshly cleaned curtains and within two weeks, nearly 90 percent of the curtains had been colonized by potentially dangerous antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (MRSA).

While there are no CDC guidelines specific to privacy curtains, it is recommended that these be changed out at least weekly with freshly sanitized curtains.

2) Bed Rails

Like privacy curtains, bed rails are touched by a variety of people on a given day. Healthcare professionals, visitors, and patients are touching these rails on a regular basis and the bacteria they leave behind can survive for weeks. In fact, studies have shown that MRSA can survive for nearly a year on these stainless steel structures. Therefore, without regular cleaning and disinfecting, bed rails have the potential to spread germs and bacteria throughout your medical facility.

Bed rails should be cleaned and disinfected at least daily, but more frequent cleaning is recommended.

3) Over-The-Bed Carts

That little rolling cart on which your delicious hospital meals are served is a breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, and germs. Additionally, bed carts are a high-touch item on which bacteria are deposited and picked up multiple times per day. Considering that these carts are typically used to serve food cleaning and disinfecting them should be a priority. This is not a place where germs should be present.

These items should be wiped down with disinfectant after every use and thoroughly cleaned and disinfected every day.

4) IV Poles

According to a 2012 study in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, these mobile hangers for IV fluids harbor various strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These ‘Superbugs’ are highly infectious and difficult to treat as they are resistant to common antibiotics.

Patients and staff alike should use hand sanitizers before and after touching the IV pole and the poles should be cleaned and disinfected daily.

5) Elevator Buttons

Elevator buttons are one of the most touched items in any building and in a healthcare setting. As such, they can harbor a huge number of nasty germs. Countless individuals utilize the elevator every day and with every press of a button, there is the potential to leave behind (or pick up) germs and bacteria. According to a recent study in the Journal of Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control, more than one-third of 48 buttons swabbed were contaminated with MRSA.

The reality is that elevator buttons are often overlooked by cleaning crews and they have the potential to become virtual Petri dishes for a plethora of germs and bacteria.

Want Expert Advice On How To Keep Your Medical Facility Clean And Safe?

Complete Care Maintenance can help with all of your medical facility cleaning needs. We provide expert advice and on-site facility evaluations to ensure that your facility’s specific needs are met. Call or contact us today to get started!