What does EVS mean?
EVS is a term that stands for Environmental Services and is performed in healthcare facilities, particularly hospitals.
While doctors and nurses are treating those in their care, another team is working in the background to assist in keeping the facility a safe environment.
The Environmental Services (EVS) staff members are the hidden heroes of the hospital, and their work is critical. Why?
Because effective cleaning and disinfection can help keep germs from spreading to essential workers, patients, and visitors.
The purpose of EVS is to avoid contagious outbreaks, maintain patient safety, boost customer happiness, and keep the income flowing.
Other industries where EVS services are needed
Environmental services are extremely beneficial in any medical center, and their contribution has finally been acknowledged to the fullest after the COVID-19 pandemic.
But the skills of the environmental services team are not used only in health care settings. Other industries include:
- Hospitality
- Daycare Facilities and schools
- Office buildings
- Food industry
- Disposal services
What are the tasks of EVS workers?
The EVS team assists with patient care by conducting many tasks, such as:
- Cleaning the floor surfaces, fixtures, furniture, equipment, and washrooms throughout the facility;
- Cleaning and disinfecting discharged linen, and making the beds;
- Cleaning and disinfecting medical equipment;
- Disinfecting and cleaning patient rooms and operating rooms (ORs), using specific methods;
- Removing garbage and ensuring correct disposal by type, as well as dealing with medical waste.
EVS and infection prevention
Environmental services (EVS) personnel share the responsibility for preventing the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
They cooperate with colleagues, prioritize locations that represent immediate safety threats, and adhere to cleaning and disinfection rules.
The EVS team members also manage the disposal of hazardous waste. If managed poorly, in less than a day the entire facility can turn into a breeding ground for dangerous viruses and bacteria.
The technology behind EVS
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated infection prevention innovations, and EVS employees play a key role in implementing and utilizing these methods to keep health care facilities clean.
The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technology in the healthcare organizations sector has offered several opportunities to assist hospitals in operating more efficiently.
The most recent resources in robots, floor care processes, and communication tools are used by health care professionals, to ensure the best possible care to the injured people, staff, and community.
Electrostatic spraying is a high-level sanitation technology that is especially useful in hospital rooms, and not only.
The technology is frequently used in sensitive or high-traffic areas in any healthcare environment.
Electrostatic spraying works by applying a liquid disinfectant with a positive electric charge to a surface. The spray reaches and adheres to its target almost instantaneously.
This form of treatment is particularly beneficial in high-risk areas because it provides a more thorough, efficient, and effective clean. Different disinfection products can be used, depending on the surface and specifications of each room.
Another very useful technology that helps hospitals combat the spread of infectious viruses is UV light.
UVC light disinfection systems have been shown to kill health threats such as bacteria, viruses, mildew, mold, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
If you’re not sure where to start, we’re here to help. You can contact us through our website anytime – the team of specialists at Servi-Tek is ready to answer all of your questions and offer any information you need.
EVS Personnel Requirements in Healthcare Settings
To achieve an infection-free environment, professional environmental services in healthcare require ongoing training.
An EVS worker must have expertise in the following areas:
- In-depth knowledge of safety procedures: for example, EVScaregivers must wear PPE (personal protective equipment) before entering a room. They must likewise sterilize their hands and any high-touch surface. When a patient is released from the facility, it is their responsibility to clean and disinfect all surfaces in preparation for the next patient.
- Prioritize patient wellbeing and follow the privacy policy: the clinical staff must make sure at all times that patients are safe during a sensitive period. It is critical to disinfect the entire facility to maintain patient satisfaction at a high level.
- Up to date with the latest training program and certifications: The environmental services technicians play an important role in customer service, and their skills are indispensable for any medical facility. For this reason, they must go through proper training regularly, follow the CDC guidelines and stay informed with the national standards, procedures, and technologies.
Tools used by the EVS team for Cleaning Healthcare Facilities
A clean environment requires a lot of consistent work, and it goes beyond the basic housekeeping tasks. Following best practices, disinfecting the floors, and managing every square footage of the facility is not enough if the tools used are not up to standards.
For example, a mop can pose a greater risk than you’d imagine. It can host entire colonies of bacteria in its fibers if the material is not the right type, or if it’s used for too long.
EVS professionals know the difference, and the tools used include the following:
- Microfiber mops, color-coded based on the chemicals and areas in which they are used;
- Microfiber cleaning cloths, designed to capture and retain dust particles;
- Modular cleaning stations;
- Vacuuming and Air Quality Management with HEPA filtration.
The health care personnel have the required expertise to use every machine in public spaces, without posing a risk to day-to-day activities, and know how to obtain the best results in a time-efficient manner.
EVS workers – the unseen heroes of hospitals
EVS staff make sure that patients feel at home and provide safety during uncertain times.
It is a hard job to operate equipment, manage every single patient’s room, handle human fluids, deal with the families of the injured and keep a clean facility. Holidays, weekends, and night shifts are also common for EVS technicians.
They must pay attention and plan specialized services such as floor care, carpet care, and window cleaning in addition to their tasks.
Start now
If you want to obtain professional results, you must know what you’re looking for and work with professionals.
We at Servi-Tek are here to help you take your facility to the next level, and offer guidance whenever we’re needed.
Contact us today to learn more!
