Hospitals are home to health, safety, and healing but what would be your reaction if we told you that one could get ill even by visiting hospitals? Yes, hospital acquired infection is a real thing and it has been haunting many hospital settings over the years globally. Though a worldwide trend indicates a decrease in incidence of such infections still appropriate measures need to be taken. Every year roughly 100,000 people die of such infections and to be honest, these are all preventable deaths. Adopting accurate measures and following the guidelines given by national institutes can not only extend patient lives but also help healthcare professionals do their work in a better manner.
Saving lives
Doctors, nurses, floor managers, and other health care staff are very invested in saving a patient’s life and returning him/ her to complete health. These nosocomial infections that are contagious and transmissible have become a great hindrance in doing so. You have to understand the process behind it so that you can take better and informed decisions if you have to.
What do studies suggest?
A multitude of microorganisms are present everywhere you go unless the surface has been disinfected, sanitized, or properly cleaned. Even your skin has ton of flora on it which is completely normal and fine. However, if your skin was to get dirty, say with dirt and grime you would have to wash it with soap and water to clean it. Centers for disease control and prevention recommends washing your skin for 20 seconds and then drying it off to kill any germs present on it.
Understanding contamination
When you don’t wash your hands or dirty skin with a liquid hand wash or soap, you are allowing these germs to proliferate and live rent free on your body. This would only make you ill and if any bacteria and viruses get inside your body you can make others ill too. Now you might think how come a bacterium that entered my body makes others sick? It’s very simple – here comes contamination.
Tackling contamination
Contamination is the process of transfer of germs from one surface to another. It can be your hands, body, countertop, utensils, drinking glass, keyboard, doorknob, or any other surface – literally any surface. You need to use appropriate cleaning products against each surface to make sure that no grime and germs are left. However, in order to kill bacteria you need to use products with bactericidal properties.
Cleaning floors
Now that you know about germs and contamination you can clean any surface in a better manner. Comprehending cleaning on a microscopic structure is required to devise a better cleaning plan. Hospital floors can become quite dirty from all the blood and spillage. Therefore you need to use appropriate floor cleaners with disinfecting properties. Use a mop with microfiber so that cleaning becomes easier and gentle. Don’t allow for the same mop to be used all over the hospital floors. Change the solution as soon as it changes color and keep alternating mops too.
Cleaning toilets
Hospital restrooms can be home to some of the most contagious bacteria and viruses as patients using these facilities might be infected with any of the diseases. You can’t differentiate any patient therefore recommended toilet cleaners should be used for strict cross infection control. Door knobs, faucets, counters, and everything else should be cleaning regularly and timely.
Cleaning other surfaces
Bedside rails, hospital desks, room knobs, on call rooms, and waiting areas are examples of areas that need to be cleaned thoroughly. There is a general consensus on the ruling that every surface within a hospital should be cleaned adequately as instructed by authorities because no chance can be taken on patient and healthcare staff health safety. Dettol Antibacterial wipes should be used to clean medical equipment after each use, disinfectant sprays should be used to wipe down different surfaces after each patient, and above all, doctors, patients, and other staff should be sanitizing hands times and again when inside hospital premises.
Following all these steps would greatly reduce contamination and subsequent infection ratio. If you still have any questions, feel free to contact us. We would be more than happy to help you keep hospitals clean.
