Ten thing to know about Terminal Cleaning
Hospital Associated Infections (HAI) and Mulit Drug-resistent Organisms (MDRO’s) are a significant challenge for medical service providers, specifically hospitals and surgery centers. The cleaning of contaminated patient rooms has become critically important in these settings in order to prevent transmission of micro organisms to patients, staff and ultimately the community. There are many names given for the cleaning of patient areas when these pathogens are present, such as, terminal cleaning, hospital clean and surface disinfection clean. Essentially what all these labels mean is that there is a higher level process needed to surround, isolate and kill pathogens that pose a threat. The EPA and other healthcare organizations have spent significant time addressing the prevention and processes needed to treat contaminated areas.
It is important that all environmental staff be thoroughly trained on the process and risks involved in a terminal cleaning. This will help reduce the risk of cross contamination within the facility among staff, patients and visitors.
Top Ten Terminal Cleaning Tips:
- Barrier precautions should be used when cleaning a contaminated area. To include long gloves, masks and gowns.
- The use of EPA, hospital grade disinfectants is required and be sure to follow label instruction for sit time and rinsing.
- Remove all detachable equipment and items from the room and place near door for removal to central supply or sterile processing area.
- Use a checklist to be sure all areas have been cleaned properly.
- Clean top to bottom. Start with lights, air vents and any ceiling mounted equipment and then move downward toward the floor. Walls and ceilings do not need to be cleaned unless soiled.
- Special attention should be given to high touch surfaces. A few examples are TV remotes, bed rails and framing, Phones and lightswitches.
- When cleaning the patient restroom, again work top to bottom and leave the toilet for last.
- All curtain partitians should be removed, double bagged and flagged for laundry service.
- When finished with gloves or re-gloving is necessary take particular precaution to avoid skin exposure. If staff has contact with the outside of the glove they should wash with a anti-microbial soap and then re-glove then hands.
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