Compromises are often unavoidable. As with most things in life, you, as a Facility Manager, would also need to make compromises. However, should you compromise on healthcare cleaning services? The answer is no! You may be risking the health and safety of your patients, staff, and visitors by not having your medical facility cleaned with professional-grade chemicals.
No one should get sick—or worse—because they picked up a germ at a hospital or medical office. Commercial and industrial cleaning companies can help you prevent this. They can ensure your facility is in top shape and meets the highest cleaning standards. But do you really need to invest in a professional medical facility cleaning company? Keep reading to learn more!
Types of Medical Facilities That Need Professional Cleaning
It may seem at first glance that healthcare cleaning uses the same methods, systems, and chemicals as those for cleaning a typical office building. But that’s not the case. Healthcare facilities need to follow strict guidelines set by organizations like OSHA and the CDC. Only professionals skilled in healthcare cleaning can ensure that your facility meets these rigorous standards.
Here are a few medical facilities that should consider hiring a commercial cleaning company to stay safe:
- Dental offices
- Medical offices
- Urgent care centers
- Surgery centers
- Dialysis centers
- Health clinics
- Rehab centers
- Medical centers
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
Cleaning medical facilities requires different methods from those used at schools or homes. You need a specialist in medical facility cleaning for your hospital or office.
Why Do You Need Commercial Healthcare Cleaning?
The average healthcare facility sees many patients and visitors each day. This increases the chances of germs spreading. Blood samples from seriously ill or infected patients can contribute to the problem if trash bins aren’t emptied or surfaces aren’t disinfected regularly. Germs often spread through frequently touched surfaces—think tables, chairs, and counters.
The CDC advises healthcare facilities to use specific cleaning methods to reduce the spread of microorganisms and pathogens, including bacteria and viruses that cause diseases and infections. You’ll be in a much better position to maintain proper hygiene by hiring a cleaning company that follows CDC guidelines.
Healthcare cleaning requires the right equipment and cleaning products. It’s not enough to simply mop or vacuum an area. The real challenge isn’t visible dust or grime. It’s making sure the surfaces remain free of bacteria and germs that can be invisible but harmful.
Experienced cleaning companies know the health and safety standards that medical offices and hospitals need to follow. They use the right chemicals to reduce the impact of pathogens. Their teams are trained to properly disinfect areas, ensuring that airborne microorganisms and blood contaminants are removed to prevent health problems.
A responsible cleaning company will ensure that your healthcare facility is properly sanitized. This not only protects your staff’s health but also helps prevent secondary infections.
Benefits of Healthcare Cleaning Services
Here are a few benefits of choosing a professional healthcare cleaning company:
1. Specialized Tools and Equipment
Professional medical cleaning companies are always aware of the latest developments in the cleaning industry. For example, they might use electrostatic cleaning—an advanced method that’s incredibly effective. Reputable janitorial companies have access to the best cleaning tools and products for your specific needs.
What’s more, these companies train their staff to use the right supplies in different areas. For instance, the cleaning materials for an operating room will be different from those used in a waiting room or restroom.
2. Skilled and Trained Staff
Professional cleaning companies invest in their people. That means the team sent to your medical facility has been through hours of specialized training to clean both commercial and medical environments. They’ll take the time to understand your cleaning goals and work to achieve them.
Just be sure the cleaning staff is background-checked and vetted to ensure safety and security at your facility.
3. Peace of Mind
The most significant benefit? Peace of mind. You won’t have to worry about liability if your hospital or healthcare facility is clean and compliant with CDC and OSHA standards. These organizations take infection control very seriously, and so should you. Hiring a professional cleaning company means your facility is in good hands.
Consequences of Compromising on Cleaning
What happens if you cut corners when it comes to cleaning? The consequences can be more damaging than you think.
1. Bad Reputation
First impressions matter. A clean facility speaks volumes about the quality of care patients can expect. If a patient walks into a dirty waiting room, they might turn right around and leave. Worse, they’ll tell others about their experience. Negative word of mouth travels fast in healthcare, and a bad reputation can be tough to shake.
Patients are far more likely to share their negative experiences than their positive ones. This could mean fewer patients walking through your doors, all because of poor cleaning practices.
2. Reduced Employee Productivity
An unhealthy work environment leads to more sick days. In fact, studies have shown that sick days cost employers billions every year. The risk is even higher in healthcare settings, where exposure to illness is part of the job.
If your staff gets sick because of an unclean environment, you’ll see lower productivity and employee morale. Keeping your facility clean makes your employees feel safer and more confident, boosting their productivity and sense of fulfillment while they care for patients.
3. Wasted Time
Your staff shouldn’t have to worry about cleaning up. Their time is better spent focusing on their primary responsibilities—like patient care. By hiring a professional cleaning company, you free up their time to do just that.
4. High Risk of Secondary Infections
The CDC reports that 1 in 25 patients contracts an infection from a healthcare setting. Airborne pathogens and unsanitary conditions are often the cause of these secondary infections.
A professional cleaning company will use standard medical facility cleaning tools, methods, and disinfectants to ensure your facility is decontaminated. They can also maintain your HVAC systems to improve indoor air quality, reducing the risk of airborne infections.
Best Practices for Everyday Cleaning
Several important things need to be addressed when cleaning a healthcare facility. For example, cleaning materials should be kept separate. The cloth used to clean an operating room should never be used in the waiting room. Different areas require different cleaning methods and chemicals.
In healthcare, it’s not enough to remove visible grime. Deep cleaning is necessary to eliminate pathogens that cling to surfaces. Experienced cleaners know where the high-traffic areas and high-touch surfaces are, and they use the right products to disinfect these spaces.
It’s essential to hire a cleaning company that uses the latest technology to ensure your healthcare facility remains clean and safe.
Healthcare Facility – Special Cleaning Needs
Healthcare facilities have unique cleaning needs. These should be addressed by the cleaning systems:
- Disinfection of patient exam rooms, public spaces, bathrooms, kitchens, and more
- Aseptic cleaning in surgical rooms
- Disinfection of floors
- Careful cleaning of areas with bodily fluids or blood samples
- Proper sanitation in areas where infectious patients are treated
A professional cleaning company will ensure that all these needs are met to prevent cross-contamination and keep everyone safe.
Get In Touch with a Responsible Medical and Surgical Cleaning Technician Today
Experience matters when it comes to healthcare cleaning. Servi-Tek has been in business for decades, helping Facility Managers like you provide a safe, healthy environment for staff and patients alike.
Call (866) 454-6185 or use the online consultation form to schedule an appointment today!
