Housekeeping in healthcare settings for safe environment

Infection control

1. Housekeeping Wyckliffe Ogalo Quality Officer Nurse PAGE 1

2. Contents PAGE 2 Patients rights Quality assurance and improvement

3. Management of service Quality service requires guidance and direction from a designated individual who ensures that the service is managed, and rendered in accordingly. Documented processes (housekeeping manual) provide personnel with the guidance required to carry out the functions of the service. The service manager is responsible for ensuring department-specific orientation and in-service training of personnel in the service . Cleaning staff is aware of general hygiene, infection control, and safety precautions. The service manager ensures that pest control measures are implemented PAGE 3 Second Skill Third Skill Conclusion

4. Facilities and equipment Secure storage areas and well maintained equipment are available to housekeeping personnel . Chemicals for cleaning are safely stored out of the reach of patients, children and visitors . – Hazmat cabinets Chemicals for cleaning are securely and accurately labelled- secondary and primary containers label-cannot be removed or defaced, avoid the practice of decanting cleaning materials into empty soft drink bottles There is adequate storage place for brooms and mops- racks Mops and brooms are cleaned and dried before being stored Personal protective equipment is available to housekeeping personnel. There is a mechanism whereby the housekeeper can communicate the current state of housekeeping-related facilities and equipment to service coordinator Soiled linen is placed in bags designated for that purpose. PAGE 4 Second Skill Third Skill Conclusion

5. Waste disposal The safety of housekeepers, the safety of others and the safety of the environment when handling, storing and disposing of healthcare waste should be ensured in accordance with documented processes Waste is segregated in accordance with documented processes- clinical & non clinical Waste is protected from theft, vandalism or scavenging by animals Waste is collected at appropriate times so that hazards are not caused- schedule and actual collection logs/invoices not longer than 48 hours PAGE 5

6. Infection prevention and control Infection control processes include prevention of the spread of infection related to the cleaning and storage of cleaning equipment . Infection control processes include prevention of the spread of infection related to the correct dilution of cleaning chemicals . Infection control processes include prevention of the spread of infection related to implementing the color coded identification of mops for different areas . Personnel are trained in correct handwashing procedures. PAGE 6

7. Risk management Of specific importance in the housekeeping service is the management of cleaning chemicals. These chemicals can cause severe harm in the event of a splash injury or ingestion. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) leaflets should be available in an easily accessible area to guide actions following such an adverse event Near misses/adverse events/sentinel events are reported, recorded, monitored and managed PAGE 7

8. Quality assurance and improvement Indicators of performance are identified to evaluate the quality of the services provided. The quality improvement cycle includes the monitoring and evaluation of the standards set, and remedial action implemented. Audits – by the nurse on compliance to cleaning standards Checklists & schedules review – cleaning schedules and checklists, disinfection logs, waste collection logs etc. Data indicators review The processes put in place to resolve identified problems PAGE 8