Healthcare cleaning is a specialized industry, that requires expertise in professional cleaning as well as an understanding of the trends and challenges specific to healthcare facilities, such as hospitals and aged care homes. Issues such as antimicrobial resistance, sustainability demands, and new technologies are transforming healthcare and will inevitably impact healthcare cleaning practices.
Professional cleaning plays a crucial role in preventing cross-contamination in healthcare settings, reducing the incidence of illness, and consequently decreasing the need for medicines and disinfectants. Therefore, it is essential that both cleaning and medical staff receive adequate training on the appropriate use of disinfectants versus thorough cleaning. Overuse and misuse of disinfectant products should be avoided, and staff must understand the difference between cleaning and disinfecting.
In Europe, it has become increasingly common to use microfibre products, cloths, and mops with only tap water for cleaning, a practice that has been successfully implemented. This method, endorsed by infection prevention experts, avoids the unnecessary use of detergents, offering significant benefits in fighting antimicrobial resistance.
This presentation will explain how professional cleaning contributes to patient safety and well-being in a healthcare settings.