The Importance of Regular Cleanings and Maintenance in CA Healthcare Facilities
As we all navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s obvious that cleanliness and hygiene have taken center stage. But even before the pandemic, keeping healthcare facilities clean was essential for preventing the spread of infections and diseases.
California healthcare facilities, in particular, need to maintain high levels of hygiene due to the state’s dense population. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of regular cleanings and maintenance in CA healthcare facilities.
The Risks of Poor Maintenance and Cleanliness
Healthcare facilities must maintain a high level of cleanliness and hygiene to prevent infections and illnesses. When this is not done efficiently, it creates an environment where hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) thrive. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in every 31 hospital patients acquires an HAI in the US each year.
The risks of HAIs go beyond patients and healthcare workers. The facilities can also suffer legal and reputational damages. Poorly maintained facilities can also lead to a decline in patient trust and satisfaction.
The Role of Regular Cleanings and Maintenance
Facility managers for healthcare facilities must maintain a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule to avoid poor maintenance risks. Cleaning must be done not just in patient rooms, but also in treatment areas, waiting rooms, and lobbies. High-touch areas such as doorknobs, chairs, and tables must be disinfected daily.
In addition to cleaning, regular maintenance of the facility and equipment is essential. Inspections should be conducted regularly to ensure that everything is functioning optimally. Healthcare facilities should also prioritize fixing any issues and upgrading equipment as necessary.
Examples of Success
Several healthcare facilities in CA have demonstrated successful maintenance and cleaning practices. One such example is the Palomar Medical Center. They implemented an environmental services monitoring system to track how frequently high-touch surfaces are cleaned. The system allows the hospital team to review their cleaning methods immediately and make necessary adjustments to maintain high standards.
Another example of success is the Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center. They implemented an infection prevention program that prevented the spread of infections. The program focused on improving hand hygiene among healthcare workers, daily environmental cleaning of patient rooms, and educating patients and their families about infection prevention.
Conclusion
Maintaining clean and hygienic healthcare facilities is essential for preventing infections, keeping healthcare workers and patients safe, and maintaining patient trust and satisfaction. CA healthcare facilities can achieve this by adopting a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule that includes inspections and upgrades as necessary.
Facility managers must prioritize cleaning high-touch areas and implementing an environmental monitoring system to ensure that these areas remain hygienic. By making these changes in their facility, healthcare facilities can effectively prevent the spread of infections and maintain a clean and safe environment.
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