INFECTION PREVENTION


Managing the microscopic


public health emergencies, they must work together to keep their environments decontaminated, safe and approachable for patients.


A


“I spoke with Halosil customer Iris Verdi, EVS Director at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes, DE, about just that the other day,” shared Maryalice StClair, Chief Commercial Offi cer, Halosil International, Inc. “She feels that with the COVID-19 pandemic and the impending fl u season, now more than ever, patients are con- cerned about safety when coming to a hospital. That fear keeps patients away from seeking treatment and can cost lives. Healthcare systems need to demonstrate that their facilities take patient concern seriously and are providing a safe, clean and sanitary environment.”


Two vital departments dedicated to the common goals of cleanliness, hygiene and protection from pathogens for patients, staff and visitors are environmental services (EVS) and infection prevention (IP) departments. They need to routinely perform high levels, monitoring and compliance of cleaning, sanitation, and infection control measures. So, just how do COID-, the fl u and


other such major health events impact environmental cleaning, safety and qual-


s hospitals and healthcare systems march forward in care through the COVID-19 crisis and other


ity in care nd how specifi cally do S and IP teams work to consistently create cleaner and safer operating, patient and common rooms, support personal hygiene and protective protocols, and, ultimately, help keep people safe from the spread of pathogens and infectious diseases?


Supporting EVS, IP staff needs In order to safely and adequately perform their essential duties during COVID-19, EVS workers must have access to personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning and disinfectant products and systems, and any other necessary resources and support.


“Of greatest importance is keeping EVS team members safe while working in what can only be classifi ed as the front lines of a healthcare battle zone,” stated Mike Short, a Rubbermaid Cleaning Advisory Board Member and Director of Safety and Envi- ronmental Services at Maury Regional Medical Center. Short continued, “Hospital EVS team members and other healthcare workers continue to test positive, which places additional burden on other exhausted and over-taxed team members. Facilities need to maintain a high level of training and open lines of communication with their staff, while not letting their guard down in completing the EVS mission of cleanli- ness and disinfection. One break or failure


26 February 2021 • HEALTHCARE PURCHASING NEWS • hpnonline.com


battleground EVS, IP united mindset needed for cleaning, hygiene practices by Ebony Smith


Photo credit: Juan | stock.adobe.com


can have devastating consequences. This is where arming teams with products that are highly effi cient and effective is critical. They provide an added level of assurance to both staff and patients that the job will get done.”


Yet, the ongoing crisis has caused sig-


nifi cant personal and worplace strain on many healthcare personnel, stresses, Doe Kley, Senior Infection Preventionist, Clorox Healthcare. “One of the biggest challenges is health- care worker fatigue – fatigue with isola- tion, PPE, and general physical and mental fatigue,” Kley addressed. “Another chal- lenge is staff who are not trained in cleaning and disinfection are increasingly being asked to take on this task during this resource-scarce time.” As healthcare supply chain interrup- tions have been far reaching, Acute Care Pharmaceuticals has responded with additional manufacturing resources and supplier communications, indicates Brian Martin, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Acute Care Pharmaceuticals, a member of Hospeco Brands Group. “The exponentially higher demand for PPE and cleaning and dis- infecting products has reshuffled the deck, with existing companies stretched to the limit and Brian Martin


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