Best Practices for Environmental Cleaning

Module 4 General Cleaning

Part B - Cleaning Procedures

Learning Objectives
1. To identify factors that determine frequency of cleaning.

2. To correctly sequence tasks for cleaning.

3. To demonstrate proper procedures for different cleaning

applications.

4. To describe other considerations in environmental management

(e.g. waste handling, sharps safety, biological spill cleaning)

2
Sequencing of Cleaning Tasks
Before Cleaning:
1. Check for Additional Precautions signs; follow
precautions indicated

2. Follow the manufacturers instructions for proper

dilution and contact time for cleaning and disinfecting
solutions

3. Ensure sufficient cleaning supplies and materials are

readily available

4. Clean hands using ABHR and put on gloves before

entering the room
3
Sequencing of Cleaning Tasks
During Cleaning

Clean from the least soiled areas (low-touch) to the

most soiled areas (high-touch) and from high surfaces
to low surfaces

Remove gross soil prior to cleaning and disinfection

Dry mop prior to wet/damp mop - never shake mops

No double-dipping of cloths

Change cloths and mop heads frequently

4
Sequencing of Cleaning Tasks

After Cleaning:

Clean tools used for cleaning and disinfecting

between uses
Launder mop heads and cloths daily; all washed mop
heads and cloths must be dried thoroughly before re-
use
Clean housekeeping cart and carts used to transport
waste daily
Do not overstock rooms

5
General Cleaning Requirements
If using a bucket, change cleaning solutions as per
manufacturers instructions:
more frequently in heavily contaminated areas;
when visibly soiled; and
immediately after cleaning blood and body fluid spills

Containers for liquid soap, cleaners/disinfectants are

disposable;
the practice of topping up is not acceptable since it can
result in contamination of the container and solution

Vacuum carpets using vacuums fitted with a HEPA

filter
6
General Cleaning Requirements
Be alert for needles and other sharp objects;
Pick up sharps using a mechanical device e.g.
tongs/forceps and place into sharps container;
Report incident to supervisor

Collect waste, handling plastic bags from the top (do

not compress bags with hands)

Remove gloves and clean hands on leaving the room

7
Mopping Floors
Dry/Dust Mopping
Remove any gross soilage e.g. feces, urine
Work from less soiled areas to more soiled areas
Remove debris from floor
Remove gum or other sticky residue from floor
Do not lift dust mop off the floor once you have
started; use swivel motion of frame and wrist to
change direction
Move furniture as required and replace after dust
mopping, including under and behind bed
Carefully dispose of debris, being careful not to stir
up dust

8
Mopping Floors
Wet Loop Mop and Bucket
Place wet floor caution sign outside of room or area
being mopped
Immerse mop in cleaning solution and wring out
Work from clean to more heavily soiled areas
In open areas, use a figure eight stroke, overlapping
each stroke; turn mop head over every five or
six strokes
Mop a three metre by three metre (nine feet
by nine feet) area, then rinse and wring mop
Repeat until entire floor is done

9
Mopping Floors
Wet Loop Mop and Bucket
Change the mop head when heavily soiled and at the
end of the day
Change cleaning solution frequently enough to
maintain appropriate concentration of solution (e.g.,
every four rooms and when heavily soiled)
Send all soiled mop heads for laundering at the end
of the day

10
Mopping Floors Microfibre Mop

Use a facility approved cleaning solution

Attach microfibre pad to mop head frame
Work from clean to more heavily soiled areas
Remove pad when soiled and set aside for laundering
Send soiled microfibre pads for laundering at the end of
the day

11
Washrooms -
Hospital clean required

Working from clean areas to dirty areas:

Remove soiled linen from floor; wipe up any spills; remove waste
Clean gross soilage (e.g. feces, urine) and set aside cloth for
laundering
Clean door handle and light switch
Clean chrome wall attachments and mirror
Clean all dispensers and frames
Clean call bell and cord
Clean support railings, ledges/shelves

12
Washrooms
Hospital clean required
Clean shower/tub faucets, walls and railing, scrubbing as
required to remove soap scum:
apply disinfectant to interior surfaces of shower/tub, including soap
dish, faucets and shower head;
ensure sufficient contact time, rinse and wipe dry;
inspect and replace shower curtains monthly and as required

Clean bedpan support, entire toilet including handle and

underside of flush rim

Remove gloves and perform hand hygiene on leaving the room

Replenish paper towel, toilet paper, waste bag, soap and ABHR
as required

Report mould and cracked, leaking or damaged areas for repair

13
Discharge/Vacancy/Transfer
Cleaning Procedures

1. Check for Additional Precautions signs and follow the

precautions indicated
2. Ensure sufficient cleaning supplies and materials are readily available
3. Clean hands using ABHR and put on gloves before entering the room
4. Remove dirty linen:
Strip the bed, discarding linen into soiled linen bag; roll sheets
carefully to prevent aerosols
Inspect bedside curtains and window treatments; if visibly soiled,
clean or change
Check privacy curtains for visible soiling and replace if required
Remove gloves and clean hands using ABHR
5. Apply clean gloves and clean the room; work from less soiled to more
soiled and from high to low areas of the room

Note: Allow surfaces to air dry to maximize contact time 14

Discharge/Vacancy/Transfer
Cleaning
6. Use fresh cloth(s) for cleaning each patient/resident bed space:
7. If a bucket is used, do not double-dip cloth(s) back into
cleaning solution once used
Change the cleaning cloth when it is no longer saturated with
disinfectant and after cleaning heavily soiled areas such as toilet
and bedpan
If there is more than one patient/resident bed space in the room,
use fresh cloth(s) for each and complete the cleaning in each bed
space before moving to the next

8. High dust room/vacuum window coverings launder/wipe clean

if visibly soiled
9. Clean doors, door handles, push plate and touched areas of
frame

15
Discharge/Vacancy/Transfer
Cleaning
10. Check walls for visible soiling and clean if required; remove
tape from walls, clean stains
11. Clean light switches and thermostats
12. Clean wall mounted items (e.g., ABHR dispenser, glove box
holder)
13. Clean all glass and mirrors

14. Clean all furnishings both vertical and horizontal surfaces.

Clean inside drawers.

15. Clean inside and outside of patient/resident closet

16
Discharge/Vacancy/Transfer
Cleaning

16. Clean the bed

Check for cracks or holes in mattress - replace as required

Clean entire mattress - inspect for pests

Clean exposed platform and frame

Clean foot board, headboard, bed rails, call bell, bed controls
and all cords; pay particular attention to areas that are visibly
soiled and surfaces frequently touched by staff

Clean all lower parts of bed frame, including casters

17
Discharge/Vacancy/Transfer
Cleaning

17.Clean washroom (see washroom cleaning

procedure). In addition:

Clean high dust areas

Clean piping under sink

Clean interior/exterior of medicine cabinet/shelves

Clean interior of dispensers

Replenish supplies

Dispose of toilet brush

18
Discharge/Vacancy/Transfer
Cleaning
18. Remove gloves and clean hands with ABHR; if hands are
visibly soiled, wash with soap and water;

19. DO NOT LEAVE ROOM WEARING SOILED GLOVES

20. Remake bed and replenish supplies as required (e.g., gloves,

ABHR, soap, paper towels, toilet brush) and other items as per
your operational needs

21. Disposal
Place soiled cloths in designated container for laundering
Place obvious waste in receptacles
Close waste bags and remove; clean waste can/holder and
add a clean bag

22. Clean floors (see floor cleaning procedure)

19
Learning Checkpoint

20
Learning Checkpoint
1. When using a loop mop and bucket, cleaning solutions should
be changed:
a) More frequently in heavily contaminated areas
b) When visibly soiled
c) Immediately after cleaning blood and body fluid spills
d) All of the above

21
Learning Checkpoint Answer

Correct answer is d. In the first three examples,

solutions become contaminated and should be
changed.

22
Thank You!

23
Image Sources
Module 4B
Microsoft Clipart used in slides 12 & 20

Images in slides 9 & 19 are PHO 2013