Every environment is different and unique in its own way and need specific cleaning procedures and disinfection. It is clear that a healthcare facility has very strict requirements and special cleaning practices because of hazardous pathogens and infections from patients and equipment.
Cleanliness in hospitals, clinics and healthcare units has dual purpose, infection prevention and hygiene control of general public, patients, healthcare staff and environment. After the outbreak, cleaning followed by sanitization and decontamination is particularly required, with a wide range of cleaning solutions, chemical products and detergents recommended by CDC and EPA, to kill pathogens and viruses both manually and automated equipment. Disease outbreak is a sensitive situation, many healthcare workers and patients lives are at stake due to contamination.
In normal routines, hospitals may put patients on risk of cross-contamination as hundreds of patients become affected by ‘hospitals’ infections globally. During a pandemic, the regime of proper cleaning of equipment and surfaces, sanitization of healthcare staff and patients and disinfection of environment and health workers has become more crucial and emphasized.
Coronavirus can rapidly spread its infection and transmit from an infected person to healthcare staff, including nurses and doctors who are in close contact with them during hospitalization. WHO provides guidance to health managers and health workers the infrastructure and standard procedures for effective disinfection and sanitization of medical equipment and devices. Healthcare staff is provided with personal protective gear which includes gloves, medical/surgical masks, goggles, face shields and gowns as well as respirators for their protection and safety.
The healthcare staff is required to use alcohol-based hand sanitizers frequently to perform hand hygiene. Hand sanitizers are provided for free in large quantities to hospitals and healthcare facilities to address the shortage.
All surfaces, including countertops, reception desks, tables, sitting areas, stair rails, floors, doors and elevators are cleaned regularly using effective special cleaning solutions suggested by American Chemistry Council (ACC), to be cleaned and wiped to remove visible dirt completely. Everything must be dried properly to avoid attracting contaminants and boost microbiological growth on moist surfaces.
Without proper deep cleaning techniques, sanitization and decontamination, bacteria and viruses will not be eliminated properly. Coronavirus decontamination service is using EPA-registered hospital disinfectant, to use in coronavirus patient’s rooms to disinfect their environment.
EPA approved germicidal disinfectants are used for multiple purposes, cleaner, sanitizer and deodorizer, is used in restrooms of hospitals for aggressive decontamination on hard, non-porous surfaces.
Two types of decontamination are done in hospitals, that is technical and medical decontamination. Technical decontamination deals in the cleaning of personal protective equipment (PPE) and vehicles, while the medical decontamination deals with the suspected or confirmed contaminated people.
PPE decontamination includes eye and ear protection, boots, gloves, shields, respirators and chemical protective suits. Medical equipment and vehicles are decontaminated by using various solutions.
All contaminated materials are cleaned, disinfected and properly disposed of as bio-hazard waste.
For effective disinfection, procedure of fogging is used to decontaminate vast areas. Through fogging, tiny droplets of disinfectants can be dispersed in areas hard to reach and hidden crevices. Fogging significantly reduces the pathogens and contaminants, cleaning the atmosphere of hospitals.
