CLEANING & INFECTION CONTROL


“Responsible contract cleaning providers need to have an excellent knowledge of the regulations and train staff to comply with these regulations in order to allow healthcare professionals to focus on delivering excellent patient care.”


Keep it Under Control The Healthcare Division Service Delivery Manager for cleaning provider


Indepth Managed Services (IDMS) looks at the importance of using specialist cleaning services for infection control in the UK healthcare sector.


Specialist cleaning teams are required for infection prevention and control in hospitals and health and care facilities. As well as having an understanding and a working knowledge of cross- contamination and other issues associated with the spread of infection within a healthcare environment, they should be trained in the prevention of Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs).


Stop the Spreading HCAIs are a range of infections acquired in hospitals or care environments, as a result of healthcare interventions. Controlling


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the spread of HCAIs is an immediate and ongoing priority for any care provider. Keeping the care environment clean is essential to minimise the risk of cross infection.


The original Health and Social Care Act 2008 states that healthcare premises should:


“Provide and maintain a clean and appropriate environment and have systems in place to ensure all care workers, including contractors and volunteers, are aware of and discharge their responsibilities in the process of preventing and controlling infections.”


In order to minimise the risk of infection, it is crucial to have procedures in place to reduce the transmission of bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms that can cause disease by ensuring appropriate environmental cleaning and decontamination of patient equipment. Visitors to these establishments are predominantly at risk and vulnerable to the spread of contaminations, making it important for Healthcare Estates Managers to implement and maintain stringent cleaning regimes. The basic principal of infection prevention and control


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