In addition to infection control, other key considerations in a hospital's housekeeping program are the cost and quality of cleaning. A good program should be keeping abreast of new cleaning techniques and tools that are as sustainable as they are effective.
Studies have shown that microfibre mopping improves the efficacy of cleaning while reducing ergonomic hazards when compared with conventional mopping. Key benefits are the reduction of potential risk of cross contamination between rooms, drier floors which lessen the risk of slips and falls and more productive staff as they no longer need to wring mops and cloths or empty and fill buckets.
Diversey conducted its own study quantifying the benefits of its revolutionary JonMaster™ microfibre managment system.
It revealed that the combination of Microfibre cleaning systems and structured cleaning programs significantly improved both cleaning productivity and cleaning quality on the trial wards at St. Richard's Hospital, Chichester U.K . Key findings of this study showed significant time savings, quicker and more effective cleaning results when the Jonmaster™ microfibre cloths are used, compared to traditional cleaning methods. As the microfibre cloths and mops can be used damp or dry, they are therefore more effective in removing dirt and dust than traditional fibres.
An independent test institute has proven that damp cleaning with Jonmaster microfibre cloths and mops reduce bacteria by up to 99.9 per cent.
This innovative system thus removes more bacteria, dust and dirt than traditional cleaning methods. The damp cleaning method also dramatically reduces cleaning solution and water required compared to wet cleaning methods such as fringe mops.
Productive cleaning with the new TASKI trolley
The new TASKI® Trolley from Diversey incorporates the Jonmaster™ cleaning technology. The smooth lines of new trolley minimises places where dirt and bacteria can accumulate, this reduces the risk of cross contamination, as do the anti-microbial handles which are another ingenious aspect of the design.
In terms of productivity, the new TASKI® Trolley can be configured to the user's exact requirements before purchase, and adapted to changing demands and different cleaning systems thereafter. The trolley is available in a compact Mini and a medium-sized Midi chassis, where the latter can also be expanded into a large-sized system. This eliminates the need to purchase multiple trolley systems, leading to cost savings.
Using disinfectants with microfibre
As microfibre can be easily damaged by chlorine based disinfectants it is important to review the disinfectants that are used in your facility. Diversey's OxivirTb® (AUST R 165058) and Oxivir® Five 16 (AUST L 202507) are both Hospital Grade Disinfectants that utilizes the power of synergized hydrogen peroxide to clean and disinfect surfaces in one step and can be used in conjunction with a microfibre cleaning system.
After cleaning the active ingredients in OxivirTb® and Oxivir® Five 16 leaves nothing behind except water and oxygen. This means that there are no harmful chemical residues left behind after usage that can irritate the skin or bleach clothes.
Validating cleaning effectiveness
Effective cleaning in healthcare facilities is paramount in the reduction of pathogens in the environment that can contribute to HAIs. Diversey’s VeriClean System™ is an Evidence-Based Surface Disinfection and Cleaning Validation Program designed for healthcare.
At the heart of the VeriClean System™ are the validation tools which consist of a fluorescent marking spray and UV black light that allows the user to spray a small quantity of liquid onto a surface that will leave an invisible marker when dry.
After the surface is cleaned, the user can use the black light to detect whether the mark was removed, and thus whether the surface was properly cleaned, allowing healthcare facilities the opportunity to evaluate and enhance their cleaning performance in their efforts to reduce HAIs.
