WASHROOM (INCLUDING LEGIONELLA CONTROL)
“If Legionnaires’ disease is suspected, everyone in the problem area should be removed as soon as possible.”
STEPS FOR PROTECTION So now that we know the basics, what steps should administrators and housekeepers in medical and long- term care locations do to protect their own health as well as that of those using these facilities? The following list offers some suggestions:
Raise water temperature According to one report, during the recession a few years ago, many UK facilities turned back water temperatures from 60°C to 50°C or less. As mentioned, the water needs to be at least 60°C to help kill Legionella, the type of bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease. However, if Legionella is found in hot water tanks or the plumbing system, then administrators will need to take far more disinfecting steps than just heating the water to eradicate the bacteria.
Evacuate If Legionnaires’ disease is suspected, everyone in the problem area should be removed as soon as possible, especially when cleaning work is performed.
Wear face masks Along with gloves, housekeepers, especially those working in older medical/long-term care settings, should wear certified, disposable masks over their mouths or what are called “half face” masks. The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides guidance on how to select certified masks, which can help prevent inhaling bacteria.
Avoid mopping floors Because toilets and urinals release a mist when flushed, the Legionnaires’ bacteria, if present, has most likely fallen to the floor. Mopping the floor could stir it up, making it airborne once again. Also, the lack of removal of the bacteria means that these germs can get reactivated and airborne as people use the restroom and certainly with mopping. An option available is the use of a dispense-and- vac machine. This system is wand-oriented and can get in nooks and crannies where these germs may have landed. Once the areas are cleaned, everything is vacuumed up.
Use flat-surface cleaning tools Instead of using cleaning cloths and sprayers, use a flat- surface cleaning tool that combines a microfiber cloth, a window squeegee, and a chemical injection system. As with all cleaning when Legionnaires is a concern, housekeepers
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are advised to wear masks when using this type of cleaning system, but the benefits do pay off. One such system was tested by the NELAC Institute, a non-profit organisation located in the United States, and was found to remove more than 99.9% of targeted bacteria using just plain water, indicating its effectiveness.
Investigate “no-touch” cleaning
methods and systems Originally, the key benefits of these systems were to speed up the cleaning process and provide more effective cleaning of surfaces.
While these systems are faster than traditional cleaning methods, what has proven to be of even greater importance is the effectiveness of no-touch cleaning. This has been demonstrated in test after test, and when it comes to eradicating bacteria, whether Legionella or any other type, it is crucial to have the best cleaning arsenal on your side.
www.kaivac.com www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
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