This year has proven that keeping businesses clean and sanitized is one of the most important tasks to complete on a daily basis, regardless of what kind of business the owner is running. Because of the spread of COVID-19, it is vital to keep buildings up to the level of sanitation standards recommended by the CDC in order to help the healthcare industry manage the pandemic effectively.
This need for sanitation includes healthcare facilities, although many people overlook the need for professional deep cleans there. Here are a few reasons why commercial cleaning is so important, especially in these spaces.
Avoiding Germs
Anywhere sick or injured people are being treated, germs are sure to follow. Doctors and nurses are careful to sanitize their hands and devices between each patient, but the entire building must still meet stringent cleaning requirements. After all, nurses have to deal with other people’s bodily fluids on a daily basis, and any of that matter can cause infection or further sickness in other patients or people who come to visit them.
Especially in areas where infectious diseases are being treated, surface cleaning simply isn’t enough. Like any office, dirt and debris need to be removed, but sweeping and vacuuming won’t remove all of the germs and bacteria that can cause problems.
Also, as anyone who deals with biomedical waste or bloodborne pathogens knows, some situations require more specialized cleaning and care. Some commercial cleaners are simply not trained to handle organic material and the specific situations of dealing with blood and fluid.
The kinds of areas that fall under the umbrella of healthcare facilities include hospitals, doctor’s offices, dental offices, nursing homes and assisted living facilities and pharmacies, among other settings. Proper cleaning in these areas will keep staff safe as well as ensure that no epidemics are started therefrom improper exposure to illness.
Public Image
This is a smaller concern than actually preventing illness, but keeping facilities clean protects the business’s public image by projecting a sense of cleanliness and sterility. Also, while customers are less likely to comment when a building is clean, they will certainly notice when their standards are lacking.
If a family tours a nursing home to see cobwebs in the corners, dirt or marks on the wall or trash in the halls, they will certainly not want to trust the staff there with the care of their loved one. Similarly, a parent bringing their toddler into a dirty restroom at their pediatrician’s office will probably not want to take their child back to that doctor for a repeat checkup.
Perception means a lot, and people want to choose the best option possible in order to maintain their health. A happy patient might share their good experience with friends and family, but an angry or dissatisfied customer may even feel compelled to leave bad reviews, complain on social media or report their unhappiness with the conditions of the facility. To keep a facility’s reputation intact, it is truly better to be safe than sorry when deciding on cleaning services.
How to Clean Properly
In order to prevent other people from being infected by the patients being cared for in healthcare facilities, they need to be both cleaned and disinfected. This means that regular removal of dust, dirt and junk needs to happen, but professionals must also do their best to kill any germs that might thrive on surfaces, tools and materials in the building.
In areas where people are using PPE (personal protective equipment), any equipment that isn’t disposed of needs to be cleaned, like face shields or goggles. Any items that are touched on a frequent basis also require sterilization–think doorknobs, drawer handles and buttons on keypads.
Healthcare facilities also need to hold themselves to the standards of certain important governing bodies in order to avoid hefty fines. Good professional cleaners undergo training to ensure that they are compliant with the requirements of OSHA, also known as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Seeking Professional Help
Hiring professional cleaners will also prevent healthcare staff from being overworked by adding cleaning duties to their current tasks. It will save them time and ensure the quality of the clean provided.
A healthcare worker who is cleaning an entire floor may not have the same experience and understanding of how to properly sanitize as a person who is trained in these tasks and does them every day. Plus, they may cut corners unknowingly in a rush to return to their other duties. In the long run, it may even save facility owners money to seek out professional cleaning assistance.
Some cleaning products that are needed for use in high-volume areas can potentially be dangerous to people who do not know how to use them properly. These chemicals can be toxic in large amounts, or they may be best used in areas with lower traffic because of a risk of respiratory distress. Professional cleaning services know the difference, and they will help protect both people and property by using the right tools in the appropriate places for them.
Contact Allied Facility Care
If you own or work for a healthcare facility, it’s time to think about what professional cleaning services can do for you. Especially with COVID-19 still running rampant throughout the nation, you need your customers and employees to be protected with the right cleaning solutions.
When you’re ready to find a cleaning service that will meet your healthcare facility’s needs, contact us at Allied Facility Care. Our professionals are trained in health and safety guidelines, and we are prepared to help you face the challenges set by the pandemic in today’s society. Call us now to request a free quote!
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