You are considering sourcing out your medical facility cleaning services, but are not sure where to start. With the recent increase in concerns about the possibilities of HAI’s (Healthcare Associated Infection’s) being reported more and more in the news, the choosing of the proper cleaning company is crucial. To that end, there are a few things to keep in mind when making your decision. First and foremost, keep in mind that a traditional commercial cleaning service is in no way equipped to properly meed the demands that will be presented with your medical facility cleaning. They are more about the appearance of cleanliness, as is apparent in their budget estimates, rather than the necessary cleaning you will need to be done.
In the interest in public health, there are protocols and procedures, many of which are laid down by law, such as disinfecting and sterilizing, that need to be followed to achieve the end goal of keeping your facilities cleanliness maintained. A reputable company will have properly vetted their staff and made sure they have passed both a drug test and a background check. They will have also personally trained staff members in the procedures that need to be followed, as well as in the areas of bloodborne illnesses, proper hand sanitization, cross-contamination, and the adherence to current HIPAA laws.
There are certain areas you will want to address with the cleaning company, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Such as, does the company have a reliable documented history of their employee screening procedure? This is one of the most important questions you can ask, as a fully vetted employee should have passed both drug testing and a criminal background check. Or, does the company do ongoing infection control risk assessments? This is a series of tests that determine if the cleaning throughout the medical facility is being done up to standards for various areas such as non-critical, critical, and high touch surfaces.
One very important question to ask is does the cleaning company implement the crucial elements in HAI reduction? These include the proper products to use, the proper procedures to follow and finally the proof of validation of compliance.
Maybe ask does the company have a discharge cleaning process in place? This is a method by which when a patient is discharged from the facility, the room they were in must be properly disinfected and sterilized before it can be used by another patient.
And finally, does the company train their employees in being respectful of patients when they enter the room to clean? It is important that the medical facility cleaning employees know that it is not just their job to disinfect and sterilize a patients room, but to engage with the patient as well.
When looking for a medical facility cleaning service may seem a little daunting, but if you put in your time and your due diligence, you are sure to find one that will meet both your states regulations and your own needs.
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