Routine and deep cleaning methods are the main types of hospital cleaning. Each type applies the right cleaning procedures to specific rooms in a medical facility. That way, contamination and infection levels stay low.
If you are looking for professional hospital cleaners, this article can help you determine what type of cleaning services you need and how often to schedule one.
Routine Cleaning in Hospitals
Routine cleaning centres on daily cleanliness and involves dusting, sweeping, mopping, emptying bins, and disinfecting surfaces. Its primary goal is removing dirt and odour.
Here are the hospital areas that require routine cleaning.
1. Reception Areas and Waiting Rooms
Reception and waiting areas should be clean and germ-free to maintain a welcoming healthcare environment for patients, guests, and staff. Hospital cleaners should cover the following tasks:
- Decluttering and organising magazines, books, brochures, and kids’ toys
- Wiping and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces like countertops, chairs, tables, and doorknobs
- Cleaning of light fixtures, windows, and blinds
- Vacuuming and mopping of floors to remove dust, spills, and stains
- Vacuuming and cleaning of carpets and upholstery
- Emptying and disinfecting of trash bins
2. Back Offices and Staff Areas
Staff breakrooms, nurse stations, and labs in a hospital should be clean to prevent the spread of illness among employees.
While patients and guests do not have direct access to back offices, they should display a professional and welcoming environment through these routine cleaning tasks:
- Wiping and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces like desks, chairs, door handles, and light switches
- Cleaning of light fixtures, windows, and blinds
- Vacuuming and mopping of floors to remove dust, spills, and stains
- Cleaning and sanitising of pantry or kitchen facilities like refrigerators, microwaves, and countertops
- Cleaning and disinfecting of restrooms, including toilets and sinks
- Emptying and disinfecting of trash bins, particularly those with medical waste
3. Hospital Cafeteria
People come and go in a medical facility’s cafeteria, and dirt can quickly build up. More importantly, any place with food and drinks should always be clean. Routine cleaning in cafeterias includes:
- Wiping and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces like tables, chairs, door handles, light switches, serving trays, and food counters
- Cleaning and mopping of hospital floors to remove dust, food spills, and stains
- Cleaning and disinfecting of restrooms, including toilets and sinks
- Cleaning and sanitising of kitchen equipment like microwaves, coffee makers, and toasters
- Washing and disinfecting of cooking and food prep utensils, storage containers, and prep tables
- Emptying and disinfecting trash bins
Deep Cleaning in Hospitals
Deep cleaning is a more comprehensive process that requires specialised equipment and cleaning chemicals. The schedule for deep cleaning in a hospital varies based on activity levels and infection risks. Its primary goal is to prevent pathogen transmission and disinfect hard-to-reach areas.
Here are the hospital areas that require deep cleaning.
1. Patient Rooms
Patient rooms need deep cleaning after a patient has been discharged or moved to another room. Some also call it terminal cleaning.
It’s highly crucial to clean and disinfect these areas while following strict protocols to prevent cross-contamination. These deep-cleaning activities include:
- Thorough cleaning and disinfecting of countertops, chairs, tables, and walls
- Vacuuming and mopping of floors using hospital-grade disinfectants
- Changing soiled bed linens, curtains, and other textiles, following hospital laundry procedures
- Cleaning and disinfecting of restrooms, including toilets, sinks, and bedside commodes
- Emptying and disinfecting of trash bins, particularly those with medical waste
- Cleaning and disinfecting of air vents and ducts to improve air circulation
2. Examination Rooms and Diagnostic Centres
Several patients come to an exam room, making it prone to infection and microbial contamination. It then needs deep cleaning between patients, focusing on these tasks:
- Cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces exposed to or in contact with body fluids
- Wiping and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces like door handles, light switches, and bed rails
- Thorough cleaning and disinfecting of exam tables, chairs, countertops, handwashing sinks, walls, and ceilings
- Cleaning and disinfecting of medical equipment, X-ray machines, MRI machines, and other diagnostic tools
- Emptying and disinfecting trash bins, particularly those with medical waste
- Changing and proper disposal of soiled linens and hospital clothes
- Cleaning and disinfecting of air vents and ducts to improve air circulation
3. Operating Rooms
Operating rooms require meticulous cleaning to ensure a safe and sterile environment for surgeries or hospital procedures. Deep cleaning schedules can occur daily, between patient cases, and at the end of each day. More extensive cleaning procedures should also be scheduled weekly or monthly.
Hospital cleaners should perform the following tasks:
- Cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces exposed to or in contact with body fluids
- Cleaning and disinfecting of floors, walls, door handles, light switches, furniture, and other hard surfaces
- Sterilising of all reusable medical equipment, like operating tables, surgical instruments, kidney trays, tourniquets, surgery lamps, ventilation devices, IV stands, and blood pressure monitors
- Cleaning and disinfecting of air vents and HVAC systems to maintain proper airflow, temperature, and humidity
- Cleaning and disinfecting of scrub basins, taps, and scrub solution bottles
- Cleaning and sanitising of operating room cupboards with surgical equipment, medications, and medical supplies
- Emptying and disinfecting trash bins, particularly those with medical waste and biohazardous materials
Hire Professionals for Clean Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities
Routine or regular cleaning in a hospital involves daily maintenance and disinfection of visibly soiled areas. In contrast, deep cleaning handles high-risk spaces, focusing on pathogen removal and infection control.
While different, both types of hospital cleaning are crucial in creating a safe and hygienic space for patients, guests, and healthcare workers.
Cleaning hospitals can be challenging, though. It requires well-trained hospital cleaners who can comply with high health standards.
Contact PPSG on 1300 867 872 to set a routine or deep cleaning schedule for your hospital or clinic in Melbourne. Our team can help create a custom cleaning plan tailored to your medical facility.