Residents of long-term healthcare facilities are at a much higher risk of contracting viruses than the general population because they are usually older and more vulnerable to illness. The staff in long-term care environments are also at higher risk of exposure to contagious illness. This is why these facilities require specialized cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing to be performed by professional teams with healthcare industry cleaning experience.
Professional healthcare cleaners encounter unique challenges not found in other sectors. Identifying these challenges and implementing the most effective solutions is key to ensuring a clean and safe environment for long-term care residents, staff and visitors.
The healthcare cleaning experts at ServiceMaster Clean offer the following guide for professional cleaning at your long-term healthcare facility.
Healthcare cleaning professionals
- Proper cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing of healthcare facilities begins with having properly trained staff who are suited to working in healthcare environments.
- Healthcare cleaning technicians often work in close proximity with residents, and care staff, and for this reason they are expected to maintain the highest level of personal hygiene and professionalism.
- Working in any healthcare setting requires individuals who understand the importance of respecting privacy.
- Being trustworthy is very important for all staff who work in the long-term care sector — thorough background checks for all cleaning professionals is crucial.
Scheduling
Cleaning schedules at long-term care facilities must be planned around residents’ and care staff’s daily activities. For example, unless there are accidents or spills that must be attended to immediately, mopping in the dining areas should be avoided during meal service to prevent disruptions and discomfort.
Cleaning solutions and disinfectants
Professional healthcare cleaners need to use cleaning solutions and disinfectants that are effective enough to eradicate highly contagious viruses and bacteria often found in long-term care environments. Safe and knowledgeable use of these products, however, requires thorough training of cleaning staff.
High-touch surfaces
Disinfecting high-touch surfaces is essential for all public indoor areas, but in long-term health facilities, where many surfaces are used by residents daily, disinfecting these surfaces to prevent the spread of pathogens takes on even greater importance to ensure occupants, staff and visitors remain safe and healthy. High-touch areas in long-term healthcare facilities include, but are not limited to, doorknobs, light switches, handrails, tables, chairs, food trays, toilet handles and elevator buttons.
Soft surfaces
Fabric surfaces including privacy curtains, window coverings, cushions and upholstered furniture are breeding grounds for odour-causing bacteria and must also be cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis.
Floor care
Proper floor care is a critical concern in long-term healthcare facilities. Hard-surface floor finishes must meet or exceed regulations to prevent slip and fall accidents. Floors must be kept clean and clutter-free at all times.
In other areas, carpeting can improve indoor air quality by trapping dust particles and dander in the carpet fibres. To maintain health and safety, however, carpeting in a healthcare setting must be deep cleaned on a regular basis.
Trust the healthcare cleaning professionals
At ServiceMaster Clean, we understand that healthcare facilities require a superior level of cleanliness to maintain a safe and healthy environment for patients, staff and visitors. We have the necessary knowledge and skills to deliver exceptional cleaning services tailored to the unique needs of healthcare facilities.
With over 70 years of experience in the commercial cleaning industry, our healthcare cleaning program reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional results that meet the highest standards of quality and safety.
Contact us for a complimentary assessment of your long-term care facility. We can create a healthcare cleaning program to suit your particular facility and budget.