It may be self-evident that cleanliness and hygiene are critical to the safe operation of the healthcare service. This has been brought into stark relief with the coronavirus pandemic, as well as longer-term issues with hospital-acquired infections. Keeping hospitals clean clearly presents a massive challenge to deliver across the modern healthcare system. Among the priorities for cleaning hospitals, must be that it doesn’t interfere with clinical procedures. In this blog, we’re going to take a closer look at our daily hospital cleaning service.
Hospital cleaning in the UK
The first part of our approach to hospital cleaning is to understand what needs to be done. As of September 2019, there were 1,257 hospitals in the UK. This number includes the NHS Trust-managed hospitals and the additional private hospitals that are currently in use. The Health Act 2006 code of practice places a clear responsibility on the care provider to clean properly. The NHS subsequently published a framework for setting and measuring performance outcomes for cleaning hospitals. This set out the importance to think of cleaning both strategically and operationally, setting a cleaning plan which is adequately resourced and successfully executed. This must also include setting out clear lines of responsibility for cleaning.
A 21st-century hospital is a complex environment to keep clean. Not only is it important to clean everywhere, but it’s also vital to pay special attention to certain key areas. By contracting out cleaning to a specialist cleaning company such as React, NHS hospitals can demonstrate that this is happening. The government published a revised specification for cleaning hospitals in 2014. This reflected concerns over the effects of poor cleaning in successive high-profile cases. In particular, there was concern over the prevalence of ‘superbugs’, strains of bacteria which are resistant to antibiotics. A key purpose for cleaning hospitals is to reduce rates of hospital-acquired infections.
Focusing on hygiene with nightly hospital cleaning
Our dedicated NHS cleaning team operates to leading industry standards and within the framework set out by the NHS and government. The team is highly trained, medically fit, well-equipped, security cleared and inoculated to protect themselves from hazard. We provide flexible, high-quality daily cleaning of premises to ensure a clean, productive and professional clinical area is maintained at all times. This includes deep cleaning of wards, consultation rooms and theatre areas as well as kitchen facilities, restrooms and storage facilities.
But we don’t overlook waiting rooms, public areas and corridors either. Our dedicated and fully vetted staff will ensure all public areas are clean and presentable to both staff and visitors at the start of the working day. Specialist cleaning materials and devices are available, including floor polishing and steam cleaning of carpeted areas.
Infection control for Covid-19 and other diseases
A particular area of expertise for us is our Infection Control Service. This successfully reduces the risk of infections, providing protection against MRSA, Swine Flu, C. difficile and Norovirus. And with current concerns over the spread of coronavirus, our rigorous approach is even more valuable. With infection control, we pay particular attention to operating theatres and endoscopy facilities, as well as general wards. We are also a licensed waste carrier with a fully traceable waste disposal system, which means that we can undertake clinical waste removal and sharps disposal.
Our daily hospital cleaning service provides the best in class contract cleaning for healthcare providers. By keeping out of the way of clinicians, we support them in doing the best possible job. And now more than ever, we need healthcare professionals to be able to focus on what they do best.
Contact one of the team today to find out more about our daily hospital cleaning service at NHS and other healthcare provider facilities.
Telephone: 01283 550 503
Email: info@reactplc.co.uk
Website: www.reactsc.co.uk
Post by Shaun D. Doak
Shaun is the CEO of React Group plc., a business dedicated to specialist cleaning, hygiene and decontamination. He is deeply committed to making sure that every one of our company’s clients receives the highest possible level of service. An expert in HVAC and commercial and industrial cleaning methodologies, Shaun has extensive experience in the facilities management and renewable services sector.
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