Cleaning a healthcare facility is a lot more than just making sure the floors are clean, the trash is emptied, and everything looks good. People are coming into these facilities every day because they are sick or need medical attention which makes proper cleaning extremely important. Hospitals, doctor's offices, urgent care centers, and other medical facilities can have germs, bacteria, and viruses on surfaces that people touch every day. Things like door handles, exam tables, light switches, waiting room chairs, and restroom fixtures can all become areas where germs are spread. If these areas are not cleaned and disinfected properly, we could unknowingly be helping spread infections.

Every cleaning employee needs to understand that cleaning and disinfecting are not the same thing. Cleaning removes dirt, dust, and other debris, while disinfecting helps kill germs and bacteria. Just because you wiped something down does not mean it has been disinfected. It is important to use the correct cleaning products, follow the instructions on the label, and allow the disinfectant to stay wet on the surface for the required time. I know sometimes we get in a hurry to finish an account and move on to the next one, but healthcare facilities are not places where we can afford to cut corners. Taking a few extra minutes to do the job correctly can help protect yourself and others.

As cleaning companies we have a responsibility to make sure our employees are properly trained and have the supplies and protective equipment they need. We cannot just hand someone a mop, a bucket, and cleaning products and expect them to know everything. Healthcare cleaning requires knowledge, attention to detail, and a good understanding of safety.

Healthcare employees and patients depend on us to help keep their environment clean and safe. We may not be the ones providing medical care, but we play an important role in the overall healthcare environment. A missed area, an improperly disinfected surface, or not following the correct procedures can create risks that affect the people inside that facility.

At the end of the day, we have to remember that we are not just cleaning a building, we are helping protect the people inside it. Every cleaning employee needs to understand how important their responsibilities are. We owe it to our customers, the healthcare staff, the patients, and ourselves to do the job right.

Janitorial Directory