There are a growing number of Australian medical clinics and hospitals that employ the services of a professional cleaning company.
Unlike commercial establishments, cleaning a hospital or medical clinic can be very daunting. This industry poses a lot of unique challenges that only the best cleaning companies can address.
Safety
The hospital is not the cleanest and the most hospitable place to be. People who are in hospitals are often sick. They may have an ongoing infection that can be transmitted to others.
No one can see these microorganisms. Almost every other surface in the hospital can have these germs. From handrails to guardrails to door knobs and the like, it is easy to get in contact with disease-causing microorganisms.
Hospitals have protocols for minimising disease transmission. They often do not extend to non-hospital persons like guests, however.
People visiting hospitals are thus at risk of contracting these microorganisms. The same is true for cleaning technicians. They can also get exposed to such pathogens which they can bring home to their families.
Professional cleaning companies have to train their staff. They need to increase their knowledge of disease transmission. They also need to learn the different techniques of minimising the risk of disease exposure.
Workplace Protocols
Cleaning an office or a school is different from cleaning a medical facility. It is true that these establishments require the best possible cleaning for their property.
But when it comes to cleaning a hospital, it often entails adherence to very strict protocols that the organisation may have in place.
Many of these workplace protocols are pursuant to global standards. Numerous international organisations expect medical facilities to comply with these standards.
Different areas in a hospital may also have different regulations regarding sanitation. The operating theatre may have a different set of sanitation protocols.
These guidelines may come from the Australian College of Perioperative Nurses or some other similar organisation.
There are also protocols coming from the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses. In other areas of the hospital, cleaning companies have to adhere to the protocols that the Safety Institute of Australia has in place. In short, cleaning companies have to be very well-versed with these protocols.
Patient Privacy
It is easy to clean other establishments. Cleaning companies can close off one section at a time for cleaning. They cannot do this in a hospital setting.
Not only does it disrupt the delivery of care, it can also invade the privacy of the medical centre’s patients.
Patient privacy is a very important element in any health care setting. Only authorised healthcare professionals can interact with patients.
Cleaning technicians do not “interact” with patients. They may, however, have to enter the patient’s room to perform their cleaning duties. This constitutes an invasion of privacy for many patients.
There is also the issue of data theft. Cleaning often requires moving some equipment. This helps ensure a more thorough cleaning.
Unfortunately, “incidents” can happen. A cleaning technician can obtain patient data from various sources. It is for this reason that medical facilities are very strict about third party providers.
They expect cleaning companies to provide cleaning technicians that are trustworthy. Stringent background checks are a must for these cleaning companies.
Incomplete Cleaning
When cleaning offices and other establishments, a simple wipe of the surfaces is often enough. Removing soiled items and tidying up the space are often substantial in cleaning these establishments.
Unfortunately, such an approach would not suffice if you’re talking about medical cleaning. Hospitals require extensive and intensive cleaning protocols in their facilities.
One has to understand that the patients in a hospital are not in their peak health. Many have compromised immune systems that can make them more susceptible to infections.
As already noted, the hospital is not the safest place to be. It is a place where microorganisms of different types, strains, and pathogenicity reside. These are ever-present in the hospital environment.
A cleaning company’s job is to make sure that its cleaning technicians understand the implications of not being able to provide a very extensive and intensive cleaning.
A single missed spot is all it takes to spread infectious microorganisms to immunocompromised individuals. This can make them sicker.
Most cleaning companies will only focus on high-traffic areas, restrooms, and public areas. Most cleaners do not clean the doorknobs and handrails that line the hallways.
Many patients and hospital guests use these fixtures to aid them in getting from one hospital section to another. If these areas or fixtures are not cleaned properly, then there is a risk of transmitting a disease-carrying germ to other individuals.
Cleaning a medical facility or hospital is never easy. There are a lot of challenges that cleaning companies have to hurdle. Addressing these challenges can help ensure a more thorough clean of hospital premises and contribute to enhanced patient safety.
For professional and efficient commercial and household cleaning around Melbourne, drop Performance Cleaning a call at 1300 867 872 .