(
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/cleaning-disinfection.html) (
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings#left-area)
(
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25419808/). Limiting COVID-19 transmission
Here we hear from GAMA Healthcare, as they bring us advice on how to limit virus transmission with cleaning and disinfection.
It's important that when cleaning surfaces, cleaning staff incorporate the five principles of cleaning:
1. Wiping in an S-shaped pattern. 2. Wiping from top to bottom. 3. Wiping from the cleanest part of the surface to the dirtiest part.
4. Ensure the correct contact time for the disinfectant to be effective.
5. Use of one wipe per surface.
COVID-19 is an infectious and highly contagious disease. Surfaces can be contaminated with COVID-19 when an infected person coughs, sneezes or touches them. Transmission can then occur when someone else touches the contaminated surface. Studies have found that coronavirus can live on surfaces for days, increasing the risk of transmission.
Now more than ever, it’s important that cleaning professionals are educated in the prevention of COVID-19 in community and residential settings. Cleaning professionals should incorporate best practice by cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, using effective products and maintaining good personal hygiene to limit the transmission of the virus.
Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
Cleaning and disinfection are crucial for limiting the transmission of COVID-19. Cleaning involves removing germs and dirt from surfaces with detergents. Note that this does not kill germs, but only removes them. Cleaning lowers the numbers and risk of spreading infection.
Disinfection involves using chemicals such as disinfectants to kill germs on surfaces. Note this does not clean dirty surfaces but kills germs after cleaning. It can further lower the risk of spreading infection.
Cleaning staff should ensure they clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces such as tables, chairs, door handles, common areas and shared electronic equipment. They should be familiar with how to clean different types of surfaces.
Hard surfaces
To clean and disinfect hard surfaces such as tables, consider the use of single-step detergents and disinfectants such as Clinell Universal Wipes, which kill 99.99% of pathogens and is effective against coronavirus in 30 seconds.
44 | PAPER & DISPOSABLES
Soft surfaces To clean and disinfect soft surfaces such as drapes and rugs, remove visible contamination and launder at the warmest temperature suitable according to manufacturer’s guide. For surfaces that cannot be laundered, consider the use of steam cleaners, which significantly lower the number of pathogens on surfaces.
Personal hygiene
Cleaning staff should use PPE correctly and maintain good hand hygiene to limit the risk of exposure as well as prevent transmission.
• Wear disposable or reusable gloves and gowns when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. If gowns are not available, aprons or work uniforms should be used.
• Following cleaning and disinfection, gloves and gowns should be removed carefully and discarded to prevent contamination of the surrounding area. If they are reusable, they should be laundered.
• After removing gloves, cleaning staff should wash their hands immediately with soap and water for 20 seconds. If this is not available, use an alcohol hand sanitiser with 60% alcohol.
• On completion of cleaning tasks, cleaning staff should note and report any PPE breaches such as broken gloves to their supervisors to alert them of potential exposure to COVID-19.
• Cleaning companies should ensure cleaning staff have been trained and are aware of effective cleaning principles before performing cleaning tasks. Training should also include how to use and dispose of PPE.
Guy Braverman, co-founder of GAMA Healthcare, said: “There is a science to cleaning. If we do not follow that science, we can actually spread microorganisms around our environment faster. If we take the time to train and educate each other, we can reduce the spread of infection.”
By combining effective cleaning and disinfection techniques and products with effective training, cleaning staff can help to limit the transmission of COVID-19.
www.gamahealthcare.com
twitter.com/TomoCleaning
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