It is a fact that all commercial buildings, companies and public institutions require a professional cleaning of the highest level, which ensures that each of their respective areas is properly cleaned and tidy in the best possible way to ensure a good image for the public and maximize work performance during the working day.
However, if there is one type of infrastructure that requires greater care than the rest, it is hospitals, since the health of patients, professional staff and visitors depends on their proper sanitation. Carelessness inside a health center can put the health of several people at risk, so it is important to carry out the most suitable cleaning methods, along with the most suitable products depending on the situation and surface.
Therefore, in this article we will explain, step by step, how the correct cleaning process of a hospital should be, whether it is carried out by the hospital staff or by an entity qualified to carry out the professional sanitation of these institutions.
Are different products used to clean a hospital compared to other institutions?
As you can imagine based on the above, the cleaning of a hospital should not be performed in the same way or with the same products as other types of institutions or premises.
In particular, the disinfection of a healthcare facility should be carried out with the most advanced detergents and instruments, specifically designed for the same, such as non-woven wipes and tissues, biocidal disinfectants with DES registration, which guarantees that they are suitable for environments with high recurrence of people, transport carts and laundry.
Clearly this does not mean that the use of conventional detergents and aromatizes cannot be used, but they must be used in a specific way and depending on the surface and area to be disinfected.
What tips should be taken into account when cleaning a hospital?
In this regard, it should be noted that not only the materials and products used to clean a hospital are important, but also certain instructions and specific techniques should be followed, which we will discuss below:
You must try to eliminate all air currents that may be in the room such as air conditioners or vents, these can cause the movement of bacteria and dirt.
All cleaning work, regardless of what is done, should be done with wet instruments and previously moistened surfaces, not dry cleaning. For this reason, it is advisable to use non-woven materials.
In all cases, the material used for cleaning the different areas of the hospital should be thoroughly disinfected with special products, taking care of each of its parts.
Containers and containers of products and medicines should be stored, not thrown away or left within the reach of the public.
Cleaning and disinfection of public access areas
As these are areas where, as a general rule, medical procedures of any kind are not usually performed, they usually have a low level of germs in the environment, so it is not necessary to carry out thorough cleaning techniques, nor is it advisable to use concentrated products, as this could be detrimental to the health of people with allergies or sensitive skin.
In this kind of area, it is really best to perform a common cleaning style, as if it were any other area of non-hospital institutions.
Cleaning and disinfecting patient rooms
One of the most important factors to be avoided at all costs during the disinfection of patient rooms and rooms dedicated to patients is cross-contamination, for this reason, the entry of cleaning carts inside the rooms is avoided.
The sanitation of these areas becomes more intense, particularly when new patients are admitted or when someone who was already in the room is discharged. Unlike the common areas, much more specific cleaning and hygiene techniques are used in these areas to reduce the previously mentioned risk as much as possible.
Sanitation and disinfection of surgical areas
As you can imagine, the areas where surgical procedures and operations are usually carried out are those that generally have a higher level of risk and presence of bacteria.
Cleaning in this kind of area must be carried out in very specific ways, following specific protocols and using standard products, with a great strength of action that must be used by fully trained and experienced personnel specifically for this purpose.
Requirements and utensils for cleaning personnel
The cleaning staff that works in the hospital must be fully qualified to be able to perform their duties correctly in each of the hospital rooms, which, in addition, must be properly uniformed with distinctive clothing to the rest of the professionals who work within the health center.
In this sense, it is important that the cleaning and sanitation personnel have at their disposal instruments to protect their own integrity, such as gloves, masks, gowns and all the materials mentioned on several occasions. In addition, it should be mentioned that all of these must be disposed of after use, and the uniform in question must be washed with a specific technique.
Cleaning and disinfection of the laundry area
In particular, the laundry area should be an area completely isolated from the entry and exit of germs, for this reason, the uniforms and utensils used during the cleaning days should be treated and completely disinfected before entering this area of the health center.
The cleaning of the laundry area should be carried out in such a way as to prevent dirt, dust and deterioration of the facilities in question and should be considered more as a storage area for the objects used during the sanitation work.
Cleaning and disinfection of stretchers and carts
Both stretchers and cleaning carts are tools that are often exposed to patients with a high bacterial load because they have suffered accidents or have highly contagious diseases, so it is essential that these are exposed to constant cleaning and treated to avoid cross-contamination and infecting healthy people.
Classification of the different areas
There is a specific classification and name for each of the areas of hospitals depending on their exposure and the presence of bacteria.
On the one hand, low-risk areas are usually the administrative area, those open to the public and cafeterias, since they have a bacterial load of less than 20%.
On the other hand, medium areas have a bacterial presence of 20 to 60% and do not require intensive cleaning, referring to areas where patients are treated, such as doctor’s offices.
Finally, those with more than 60% are considered high risk, among which the operating room itself, the medical emergency area, and isolation rooms stand out.
