INFECTION PREVENTION
increased demand for routine and terminal cleaning procedures due to the significant number of patients requiring COVID isolation.”
Doe Kley, RN, CIC, MPH, T-CHEST, Senior Infection Preven- tionist, Clorox Professional Products Co. also points to the importance of EVS staff and their work as well as the resources and educa- tion they will need to effec- tively perform their jobs beyond the current crisis.
Doe Kley
“EVS teams save patient lives every day by maintaining the complex clinical environ- ment of care,” Kley emphasized. “Experts believe that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus responsible for the pandemic, will likely become endemic and seasonal. EVS teams must ensure that their facilities have EPA- approved disinfectants appropriate, not only for SARS-CoV-2, but also for other targeted healthcare pathogens. They must ensure that instructions for use, including contact time, are followed. Simply put, the key role of EVS is to eliminate the environment as a source of infection.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Pre- vention (CDC) serves as a go-to source for guidance on SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 and environmental cleaning.
Last year, the CDC “released a new resource highlighting core components of environmental cleaning disinfection in hospitals. The document aims to help health- care organizations reduce risk of infection from surfaces and provides descriptions and examples of each of the six core com- ponents in order to ensure a clean patient care environment. AHA’s Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) played a significant role in the development of the core components of an environmental services program in hospitals within this guidance,”2
reported the American Hospital Association (AHA).
Among the CDC-recommended best practices for environmental cleaning are, “Environmental cleaning programs in healthcare facilities involve resources and engagement from multiple stakeholders and departments, such as administration, infection prevention and control (IPC), water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and facilities management. They require a stan- dardized and multi-modal approach, as well as strong management and oversight, to be implemented effectively…Comprehensive environmental cleaning programs are most important at acute healthcare facilities and higher tiers of healthcare, where the bur- den of HAIs is highest. Regardless of type of facility, the key program elements for
effective environmental cleaning programs include:
• organization/administration staffing and training • infrastructure and supplies • policies and procedures • monitoring, feedback and audit.”3 “EVS have always played an essential role in helping hospitals and healthcare facilities sustain high hygiene standards,” reinforced Deborah Chung, North America Marketing Manager, Healthcare – Professional Hygiene, Essity. “Frequent and routine surface clean- ing (especially of high-touch areas) mitigates the spread of HAIs and cross-contamination within healthcare facilities and this responsi- bility is placed largely on EVS teams.”
Partners in infection prevention
Like shipmates at sea, EVS and infection prevention (IP) staff are on board to direct practices for cleaner and safer facilities. “Effective communication and collabora- tion between EVS directors, facility manag- ers and/or infection preventionists is integral to the successful implementation of established cleaning and disinfection guide- lines, processes, protocols and best prac- tices,” shared Rushworth of Rubbermaid Commercial Products. “Ultimately, EVS and infection preventionists are partners in prevention by working towards the same goal: enhanced patient safety and delivery of quality services.” EVS-IP departments benefit from partnership, education and support, says Karen Hoffmann, RN, MS, CIC, FAPIC, FSHEA, an infection preventionist consultant for the Vidashield UV24 from NUVO Surgical. “One of the most important responsibilities for EVS staff is the effective application of cleaning products, including disinfecting products, which could mean the difference between acquiring COVID or another HAI,” Hoffmann noted. “Education and training using evidence-based guidelines (e.g., Cen- ters for Disease Control and Prevention) are keys to the success of the EVS program. With the recognition of the importance of a clean environment to prevent cross transmission of pathogens, like C. difficile and multi-drug resistant organisms, infection preventionists and EVS leadership began to work together to provide routine training, auditing, check- lists and feedback to the front-line EVS workers. IP and EVS rounding together in the facility provide additional opportunities for communication and reinforcing policy and procedures.”
Karen Hoffmann 34 July 2021 • HEALTHCARE PURCHASING NEWS •
hpnonline.com
Interface’s Stegeman notes the value of vendor and IP support. critical first step is selecting vendor partners that offer continual, structured education and training programs,” she emphasized. “At the same time, EVS teams must have buy-in from leadership in terms of the need for continual access to resources for infection prevention. Implementing consistent maintenance protocols is an important consideration for EVS and Infec- tion Prevention teams.”
Regarding education, the CDC recom- mends, “Training content should include, at a minimum: • general introduction to the principles of IPC, including transmission of pathogens; the key role cleaning staff play in keep- ing patients, staff and visitors safe; how cleaning staff can protect themselves from pathogens
detailed review of the specific environ- mental cleaning tasks for which they are responsible, including review of SOPs, checklists, and other job aids
• when and how to safely prepare and use different detergents, disinfectants, and cleaning solutions
• how to prepare, use, reprocess, and store cleaning supplies and equipment (includ- ing PPE)
• participatory training methods, hands- on component with demonstration and practice
• easy-to-use visual reminders that show the cleaning procedures (i.e., without the need for a lot of reading)
• orientation to the facility layout and key areas for the cleaning program (e.g., envi- ronmental cleaning services areas)
• other health and safety aspects, as appro- priate.”3 EVS workers continue to demonstrate a high level of adaptation and creativity on the job, expresses, Kris- tine Steely, National Sales Director, UVDI.
“Environmental Services teams display leadership
Kristine Steely
everyday tirelessly performing some of the toughest jobs in healthcare facilities – all to protect patients and fellow staff by provid- ing a cleaner, safer environment,” Steely said. “These brave women and men are also true innovators bringing a solutions-first mind- set to breakthrough resource and/or time constraints. This ingenuity is pioneering best practices that will outlast the pandemic. It’s truly inspiring.” David St. Clair, Chairman and CFO, Halosil International, points to changes in practices made by EVS and IP teams to help decrease COVID-19 spread.
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