Implementing medical cleaning and sanitization practices into residential or commercial cleaning could greatly benefit the world. By taking the risk of spreading bad germs, bacteria and viruses the population would see a decrease of infectious deaths.

By following proper hand sanitization and PPE for people who are sick or coming into contact with people who are sick or contagious the world could avoid outbreaks of disease and viruses. For example H1N1. How was it spread so vastly and quickly? By people who were infected, some even knowing they were, and still going into public. Either because they had no choice or because they didn't know. 

Implementing medical cleaning to other areas could greatly reduce diseases being wide spread and possibly even spread at all in the future. Businesses would know the correct way to prevent the infection as well as stop it from spreading. By following the proper protocols they wouldn't have to worry about bringing it home to their family/friends and they wouldn't have to worry about customers either contracting it or bringing it in and spreading it. 

Along with understanding the proper protocols of cleaning and sanitization of residential places and commercial areas people being made aware of using PPE and the correct order to put it on could also help to keep residential and commercial businesses from contracting or spreading diseases, viruses and germs. 

To find more information click the link below - 

https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices

 Cleaning employees & staff should know about bloodborne pathogens to protect themselves and others in and outside the workspace. Being knowledgeable about risks to exposure can help eliminate life threatening illnesses and serious infections. Education staff members can create an overall safer, healthier workplace for staff. Being aware of how bloodborne pathogens are contracted in the workspace and prevention procedures are the first step to protecting workspaces.

Cleaning employees have a first chance to eliminate and lessen the risk of exposure in the workplace by practicing safe techniques. Proper collection of waste that has been compromised by blood borne pathogens help to eliminate risk of infection. It can also eliminate or minimize the risk of exposure from those who come into contact with waste after it is collected and disposed of.

After a cleaning employee or staff is exposed, knowing about bloodborne pathogens can help in staff knowing how to respond properly. Responding properly and in a timely manner can make the difference between a worker having a lifelong infection or getting the right treatment to minimize the chances. It can also help to have staff develop policies and cleaning and decontamination schedules programs and procedures.

Cleaning employees & staff knowing about bloodborne pathogens

One of the common life-risks involved with the routine work of Housekeepers and Cleaning employees are the existence of bloodborne pathogens. These can be found on surface or elements, with them workers are coming in contact routinely.

According to OSHA definition, “Bloodborne Pathogens (BPs)are infectious microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)”

The BPs are kind of ‘Silent Killer’. Their illness symptoms can be developed sometimes years after the infection event. Hence, Workers must be aware for this fact and understand the need to repeat again and again safety instructions and guidance.  

As much the health risk found in BPs is high, as much is the unawareness for them. This exactly due to the fact, cleaning and housekeeping is about getting into contact with trash left behind human action. "This is part of the Work" our brain tell us. We must get into the d . As in driving, which is risk-involved activity naturally, our brain directed us to ignore risks and disturbances that are not immediate. In such way, PBs sources of risk are usually ignored.

Part of the solution of getting over the “Routine is the Enemy (RIE)” problem, is to refer for any element or surface, having the chance of carrying body liquids or blood as ‘BPs contaminated ‘. In such way, any surface or element coming in contact with human body liquids, will be treated according to the OSHA regulations as contaminated stuff. In this way, we will eliminate much of the 'RIE psychological effect' and always be at the safe-side regarding BPs risks. This will help us also, to fulfill our part in preventing infectious diseases and their spread in the cleaning-environment.

Following the golden-rule says: “Being aware to problem is 50% of its solution”, we must be in contact awareness to the BPs risks. At the moment we are aware, just few had to be done to be at the Safe-Side. Widely speaking is to follow the OSHA set of precautions and standards directed “to reduce or eliminate the hazards of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens” (OSHA BPs and Needlestick Prevention).

It all starts by development of "PBs and Needlestick Prevention plan", and of course, its implementation in the workspace. The program has little to do if is any, with disturbance for work routine. Also, at the moment staff are aware to its importance it is widely and happily accepted and assimilated quickly in workplace. 

As part of this program, special care is given for any “Needlesticks and other sharps-related injuries may expose workers to bloodborne pathogens”. Their appearance in Laundry or in other places like toilets and bathrooms in expected in high chance, especially while speaking on cleaning in healthcare facilities.

Additionally, Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) must be supplied to workers according to their expected exposure to BPs Risks. Also, Disinfection and decontamination materials must be defined and available to workers, in accordance with their cleaning duties, and in consideration with their cleaning environment.

Awareness is achieved by periodical training and managers’ comments to their staff. Aside of the BPs PRevention plan assimilated, evoking the workers awareness constantly to the BPs risks, is the most effective prevention tool and supervisors should always keep a place for this in their Daily or Weekly staff instructions.

The proper cleaning of healthcare facilities is important for many reasons. Proper cleaning of healthcare facilities primarily prevents pathogens from infecting the cleaner themselves, the staff that work at the facility and the patients that they care for. Improper cleaning practices could cause the spread of contagious illnesses and chronic disease.  

By practicing the standards of infection control and following OSHAs precautions for bloodborne pathogens, the cleaner is taking an active role in keeping themselves and everyone else coming into contact with all surfaces within the environment safe and healthy. To find a cleaning company that meets certification standards, search the IJCSA service directory at: https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices

Cody Jay Kayser

Bloodborne pathogens are disease-causing microorganisms that can be transmitted through blood or bodily fluids. It is important to treat all bloodborne pathogens carefully because they can be potentially harmful.

Proper cleaning methods and prevention should always be used to protect yourself and others. Cleaners should have a very good training to avoid the risk of bloodborne pathogens exposure, this is why workers who are exposed to blood and any body fluids must take all the universal precautions and follow the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standard, created in 1991, which is composed of a written plan, entitled the exposure control plan, training requirements and record keeping guidelines .

This is the best way to eliminate hazards that can affect employees and people in the workplace, you simply can't be careful when it comes to dealing with blood or other infectious materials, proper procedures will always offer the protection needed to keep the workplace safe.

Keeping medical facilities clean is important to infection prevention and control. Healthcare cleaning leaves an environment with the foundation for excellent infection control practice to flourish. A clean healthcare environment is necessary for patients health and comfort.

With consistent and proper cleaning, the spread of contagious viruses can be reduce by 80 to 90 percent. Also, healthcare  cleaning can result in a 5 percent productivity gain.

For best practices, a two-step medical cleaning process is recommended. First, the surface with a general purpose cleaner to remove dirt, grim and any other builder up. Afterwards then going back with a disinfectant to kill any microbes that remain. This process will ensure the germ are gone and the disinfectant can work more effectively.

Visit the healthcare cleaning directory below for more information.

https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices

Frances Kelly

Apply The Pressure 

When cleaning, it is vital to know and understand the proper procedures in how to clean while preventing any accidents to happen or unwanted exposure, hence learning about what to wear, what to use to clean, as well as how to prevent myself from coming in contact with a bloodborne pathogens, followed by what to do if I do come in contact with a bloodborne pathogen can serve as an effective tool for me to use in the future. 

It also emphasizes on the importance of safely handling garbage, laundry, and medical equipment, all basic things that we can easily come in contact with.  Overall I was pleased with the BP course and feel it it is one that all should know simply to prevent common mistakes from happening in the future 

     Every single day as we deal with the COVID 19 PANDEMIC it is extremely important to protect everyone that enters any healthcare facility which includes patients, staff, vendors and visitors.  Due to people who are sick and possibly contagious without proper cleaning and cross contamination techniques these healthcare facilities are subject to large amounts of germs and bacteria that can be transferred from room to room, patient to patient and so on.  

     Infections and Viruses can be transferred to visitors and staff causing exposure to family and friends when they go home.  These infections and viruses can be transferred from HEALTHCARE FACILITIES to the new host through their shoes, clothing, keys, phones, and other objects we commonly use.  Some of these viruses and infectious diseases can live outside the body for extended periods of time causing exposure to anyone that gets near or has contact with the carrier.  

     HEALTHCARE FACILITY CLEANERS need to be properly trained in the necessary procedures to eliminate bacteria, germs and pathogens that can endanger everyone in the healthcare facility.  So to prevent from endangering everyone in the facility it is vital to use the appropriate level of PPE, cleaning techniques and proper training. 

     For Medical Cleaning Facilities Cleaning go to:

http://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices 

Janitors and Janitorial staff play a big role in daily life, by providing healthy environments.They help prevent the spread of illness and infection in the workplace, which improves indoor quality. Now more than ever, janitorial and commercial cleaning are needed, in facilities due to the arise of new pathogens that are begin spread in the environment. Buildings and facilities are needing extra serves to make sure they are germ free for their occupants. Janitors provide safe and clean spaces which means less distractions and more comfort for employee and clients. Janitorial and commercial cleaning are now seen as the new first responders when it comes to taking care of all facilities. Janitors and janitorial staff job promotes wellness, health and safety to public facility, schools, work offices, hospitals, and restaurants. Take for instance a school, administration, and teachers rely on the cafeteria, classrooms, and restrooms to be kept clean for school staff and children. Janitors job are to meet the needs of others.

Bloodborne pathogens are a serious concern for cleaning employees and staff.  It’s important that all cleaning personnel understand what bloodborne pathogens are, what hazards they possess, how to prevent exposure and the procedures for post exposure.  Bloodborne pathogens include viruses like HBV, HCV, HIV and OPIMs.  These disease can be transferred through blood and bodily fluids.  It’s greatly important that cleaning employees and staff understand the importance of these hazards.

OSHA has created bloodborne pathogen standards that guides employers on how to implement control measures, universal precautions, hazard communication and recordkeeping.  Work practices should be explained to the employees and enforcement of the procedures should be a top priority.  Understanding the importance of using PPE, disinfectants and the post-exposure steps are critical in those working in facilities that have possible contact with bloodborne pathogens.

Employers must implement a safety program where the staff and employees understand and follow the rules for working with bloodborne pathogens.  They must wear the proper PPE, use the appropriate cleaning products and equipment when working in these facilities.  The importance of understanding bloodborne pathogens is to enforce precautionary measures to prevent exposure.