CLEANING & HYGIENE High Standards


Daniel Took, Head of Professional Product Marketing at Kärcher UK, discusses the importance of hygiene in the care sector and how best to approach cleaning in care environments.


Ensuring cleanliness in healthcare facilities such as care homes is of paramount importance, with hygiene playing an integral role in patient safety and infection prevention. In the aſtermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, the significance of the care environment in patient wellbeing has become even more evident. With so many being hyperaware of hygiene, it’s important that the care sector provides reassurance, trust and reliability: ensuring all who attend care environments feel confident that they are clean and safe spaces to be in.


As such, it’s vital that the care sector prioritises implementing best practice, with regard to hygiene. So, what should care industry professionals consider when ensuring their environments are up to standard?


THE PDIR METHOD To ensure patient safety is not compromised, Kärcher


recommends the PDIR method, which ensures healthcare facilities are cleaned in a robust and preventative manner that helps to reduce the time needed for intensive deep cleaning. This method allows facilities managers to refocus their efforts on priority areas. The PDIR method focuses on maintaining high cleaning standards in an efficient manner by breaking the cleaning down into four parts: Preventative, Daily, Interim and Restorative.


https://www.kaercher.com/int/inside-kaercher/know-how-for-professionals/pdir-four-essential-cleaning-functions.html


PDIR cleaning really comes into its own when the timings of all four types of cleaning are coordinated as part of a well- organised process. As long as this cleaning system is used regularly, savings can be made on the time, materials and staff resources allocated to daily maintenance.


INVESTMENT IN HYGIENE Amidst financial constraints, maintenance expenses, including


cleaning products and staff, are frequently targeted for budget reductions. Yet, neglecting such investments can lead to detrimental long-term financial consequences. It is essential for the industry to prioritise beyond immediate costs. Similar to medicine, prevention proves to be more cost-effective than treatment in the long run.


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ENSURING EFFICIENT TURNAROUNDS Ensuring efficiency in quick turnarounds is essential within the


care sector. While speed is crucial, it should never compromise the effectiveness of cleaning procedures. Transitioning to battery-powered solutions presents a significant opportunity to streamline cleaning processes. These battery-powered models are tailored to meet the demands of fast-paced environments in care facilities. In fact, adopting battery-powered equipment can reduce work time by up to 20% compared to corded alternatives.


“Adopting battery-powered equipment can reduce work


time by up to 20% compared to corded alternatives.”


THE RIGHT PRODUCT FOR THE JOB Every care environment has its own challenges regarding


hygiene and, as such, it is imperative businesses find the right product for their own requirements. Oſten with high footfall settings such as care homes, surfaces can become damaged due to the movement of people and equipment, all of which need to be deep cleaned daily. By utilising the right products for the job, the frequency of deep cleans can be reduced, helping to save time, materials, and ease pressure on staff resource.


Ultimately, by procuring appropriate products, investing in hygiene, and implementing best practices, care facilities can prioritise cleanliness. This proactive approach not only safeguards patient safety but also rebuilds trust in the sector, especially in light of the recent pandemic.


www.karcher.com/uk/professional www.tomorrowscare.co.uk


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