Specialised cleaning for healthcare facilities

The Importance of Healthcare Cleaning Services in Preventing Disease

In a healthcare setting, it’s critical to ensure that a clean and hygienic environment is maintained at all times. This is not only essential from an aesthetic perspective, but more importantly in these settings, is necessary for preventing the spread of disease and infection. Nursing homes, rehabilitation centres, clinics, dental practices and hospitals are all places where vulnerable people congregate, and the hope is that they will be treated and rehabilitated, rather than become further ill by picking up germs.

Preventing the spread of harmful viruses, bacteria and other pathogens is not easy, as these are not things we can see with the naked eye. That’s why it’s important to follow stringent cleaning protocols, so that no areas of importance are ever missed, and that centres can be reliably considered as ‘clean’.

The Health Risks that lurk in Healthcare Environments

When it comes to the potential spread of infections, healthcare facilities can be high-risk environments. Not only are they places where people with existing illnesses visit and spend time, but they are places where people are particularly vulnerable to the possibility of further infection, whether that be via airborne pathogens, wound infection through touch, or another form of transmission. Surfaces and medical equipment may be contaminated, and thus there is significant health risk, not only to patients, but to those working in these facilities, and those visiting. With daily cleaning and proper sanitation, however, much risk can be eliminated. This is why it’s imperative that medical centres and other healthcare facilities employ professional cleaners who are trained in healthcare cleaning.

Common Risks in Healthcare Environments:

• Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs): Spread through healthcare workers, equipment, and surfaces; includes MRSA, C. difficile.
• Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria: Superbugs like MRSA and VRE thrive in unclean environments.
• Cross-Contamination: Pathogens spread via contaminated tools, floors, and surfaces.
• Respiratory Infections: Airborne pathogens like Legionnaires’ disease and pneumonia from equipment and air systems.
• Bloodborne Pathogens: Bodily fluids on surfaces can spread infections without proper cleaning.
• Fungal Infections: Mould and fungi pose risks to immunocompromised patients.
• Gastrointestinal Infections: Norovirus and E. coli thrive in food and restroom areas.
• Skin Infections: Contaminated surfaces and linens can lead to impetigo, boils, and cellulitis.
• Viral Infections: Surfaces can spread viruses like COVID-19, influenza, and norovirus.

Why Daily Professional Healthcare Cleaning Services are Essential

Healthcare facilities are markedly different to commercial facilities like office buildings, gyms and so on. As well as being spaces for vulnerable people with sensitive immune systems, healthcare facilities often contain biohazards and sensitive equipment. They must be cleaned every day, and to a specific high standard.
General commercial cleaners may not have the expertise required to follow the stringent cleaning protocols necessary to protect patients and staff, which is why it’s so important to employ cleaners who understand the importance of following infection control protocols. Professional cleaners with proper training will understand how to clean in a way that minimises contamination risk. It’s also important that they use products capable of destroying infections, bacteria, mould, fungi, and whatever else they need to keep at bay in the healthcare setting.

Eco-Green Healthcare Cleaning Services

At Eco-Green, our staff are trained in following healthcare cleaning protocols. We are able to clean your facility to the high standards you require, and will take the time to understand and follow any procedures specific to your healthcare environment. Whilst we aim to reduce our environmental impact by using GECA-certified products, we will adapt in certain circumstances where we need to use products specifically designed to kill pathogens and meet healthcare standards. Contact us to discuss cleaning your healthcare facility today.

FAQs

What are the key tasks in healthcare cleaning?

In a healthcare setting, the cleaning team will clean not only high-traffic areas, but also spaces where contamination is likely to occur. The following tasks are carried out to a meticulous standard:

• Disinfecting high-touch surfaces: Light switches, door handles, bed rails, and medical equipment are disinfected multiple times a day to prevent cross-contamination.
• Cleaning floors and surfaces: Floors in healthcare facilities can accumulate pathogens quickly. Regular cleaning with disinfectants stops the spread of germs from foot traffic and spills.
• Bathroom sanitation: Bathrooms in healthcare facilities require special attention. Toilets, sinks, and other bathroom fixtures are disinfected to avoid spread of infection.
• Proper waste disposal: Medical waste, including bandages, needles, and bodily fluids are disposed of safely to prevent contamination and protect those handling it.
• Sterilising medical equipment: All reusable medical instruments and devices are carefully cleaned and sterilised to prevent infection.
• Handling biohazards: Trained professionals must carefully handle and clean areas exposed to bodily fluids and other biohazards to prevent the spread of infection.

What training and protocols do cleaners need to follow in healthcare settings?

Healthcare cleaning isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Each facility, whether it’s a large hospital or a small clinic, will likely have its own set of protocols designed to address its specific needs. Cleaners working in healthcare settings must follow these protocols strictly, ensuring that they are disinfecting surfaces and areas according to the facility’s standards. Trained professionals understand the importance of adhering to these guidelines, unlike general cleaners, who may not be familiar with the particularities of a healthcare environment.

Will my usual commercial cleaning company be able to clean a healthcare facility?

For those using commercial cleaning services, it is vital that the cleaners undergo specialised training tailored to the needs of healthcare facilities. This training includes knowledge of infection control procedures, how to handle hazardous materials safely, and the correct use of disinfectants and cleaning equipment.

Can Eco-Green staff perform the specialised cleaning required in our Healthcare facility?

Our staff are trained in healthcare cleaning services, however we realise that each facility has unique requirements. We are happy to invest in further staff training so that they learn the particular protocols of your healthcare facility.

With some of the healthcare locations we work for, we conduct a number of healthcare cleaning services, but others are performed by internal staff, such as sterilisation of equipment and washing linen. If you need our staff to perform more routine cleaning in your facility, we are happy to accommodate. Contact us to discuss.

Does Eco-Green use Eco-Friendly Cleaning when cleaning in Healthcare Facilities?

At Eco-Green, we prioritise environmentally-friendly cleaning solutions wherever possible. We use GECA-certified products that are gentle on the environment and safe for use in many commercial settings. However, we recognise that healthcare facilities often have stricter requirements when it comes to sanitisation. In these cases, we may need to use alternative cleaning products that are specifically designed to kill pathogens and meet healthcare standards. Our goal is to balance eco-friendly practices with the highest level of cleanliness required to maintain a safe healthcare environment.

What are the common risks in healthcare environments?

• Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections acquired during medical care. They can be transmitted through the hands of healthcare workers, medical equipment, and contaminated surfaces. Common HAIs include:
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile)

• Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

Unclean environments can promote the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria, otherwise known as “superbugs”. These include MRSA and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Those with weakened immune systems or those undergoing antibiotic treatment are particularly at risk from these bacteria. Effective cleaning can ensure the environment is inhospitable to these bacteria.

• Cross-Contamination

Unclean medical tools, floors and high-touch surfaces can be places where pathogens remain. When these contaminated surfaces are touched by workers, patients or visitors, disease can spread. Following proper cleaning protocol can prevent this contamination occurring.

• Respiratory Infections

Poorly cleaned healthcare facilities are places where airborne infections thrive. Diseases like Legionnaires’ disease, pneumonia and tuberculosis can all be a result of these airborne pathogens. Where are these pathogens found? On equipment, surfaces, and in air conditioning systems. Proper healthcare cleaning and maintenance of air conditioning systems can help to prevent their spread.

• Bloodborne Pathogens

Commonly touched surfaces in healthcare settings can house bloodborne pathogens without anyone realising. Tables, bed rails, countertops, medical carts and more can all come into contact with bodily fluids, including blood. If these surfaces aren’t properly cleaned and disinfected, pathogens may be spread. Following proper cleaning and sanitising protocols can ensure potential spread is reduced.

• Fungal Infections

Those with compromised immune systems are particularly susceptible to fungal infections, such as aspergillosis, which can be life-threatening in healthcare settings. Mould and fungi can grow in areas with poor moisture control and/or ventilation. If their presence is discovered, they need to be carefully dealt with to avoid further contamination.

• Gastrointestinal Infections

Gastrointestinal infections are unfortunately common in healthcare environments, particularly in aged care settings. Norovirus and Escherichia coli (E. coli) can cause diarrhoea, severe vomiting and dehydration in already vulnerable clients and staff. Food preparation and restroom areas are common locations for traces of these infections, however they can be present in a range of locations in healthcare facilities, which is why proper cleaning and sanitation is imperative.

• Skin Infections

Surfaces that remain unclean can be sites where skin infections can spread. Impetigo, boils and cellulitis are all common skin infections, and in hospital settings like wound care units or surgical wards, patients are at particular risk. It’s not only surfaces that are risk sites—unclean linen and medical tools that have not been properly disinfected are also of concern.

• Spread of Viral Infections

Viral infection can take place anywhere, but in hospitals and other healthcare settings, people tend to be more vulnerable to poor consequences of contracting these viruses. Surfaces in these settings can be contaminated with viruses like COVID-9, influenza and norovirus, hence, detailed cleaning and disinfection is essential.

• Patient and Staff Safety Risks

Cleaning in medical facilities goes a step beyond infection and disease control. Maintaining a clean environment also prevents a range of risks, such as trips, falls and slips, which can occur when there are hazards within the healthcare environment. Ensuring that the facility is cleaned and well organised is essential, and these tasks can be achieved by professional cleaners.