Cleanliness in hospitals is a non-negotiable because it directly impacts patient safety, infection control and staff health. Hospitals are under constant pressure to maintain high hygiene standards.
High traffic areas are particularly vulnerable to contamination and require targeted cleaning protocols to prevent the spread of harmful pathogens. In Little Rock, hospitals face unique challenges due to seasonal spikes in illnesses and Arkansas’ humid climate, which fosters bacteria and mold growth.
Professional cleaning services, like those offered by ServiceMaster Twin Cities, ensure high-traffic hospital areas are maintained to the highest standards. Read on to learn about the most important areas of a hospital to have cleaned and how professional cleaners help to meet these needs.
What are the most important areas of a hospital to have cleaned?
Hospitals are high-risk zones for the spread of infections. Pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi can thrive in hospitals if sanitation measures do not meet proper standards. Rigorous cleaning and disinfection protocols tailored specifically to healthcare settings are needed to protect the safety of patients and staff.
With all this in mind, the most important areas of a hospital to have cleaned include high-traffic areas, such as patient rooms, operating rooms, emergency departments, restrooms and hallways. These spaces are central to hospital operations and must meet rigorous cleanliness standards to reduce infection risks.
Professional cleaning services help maintain these spaces while complying with state and federal healthcare regulations. This includes standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Arkansas Department of Health.
1. Patient Rooms and Waiting Areas
Cross-contamination risks in healthcare facilities are highly likely, especially in shared spaces like patient rooms and waiting areas. It’s critical to thoroughly clean high contact surfaces such as bed rails, furniture, light switches and door handles because they can be a hotspot for germs.
Some cleaning protocols for these high contact surfaces are:
- Daily sanitization with EPA-approved disinfectants
- Routine deep cleaning for upholstered furniture and carpets to remove allergens and bacteria
- Special attention to ventilation systems to prevent airborne contamination
In Little Rock, hospitals experience increased patient turnover during flu season and pollen spikes, which amplify cleaning needs. During these times of the year, hospitals may need to increase routine cleaning in these areas.
2. Operating Rooms and Surgical Suites
Rigorous cleaning and disinfection protocols are essential for operating rooms and surgical suites. These spaces require meticulous attention to detail, for any lapse in cleanliness can lead to severe complications for patients post-surgery.
Specialized cleaning in operating rooms and surgical suites include:
- Sterilization of surgical equipment, tables and floors after every procedure
- Use of advanced technologies such as UV-C light disinfection to eliminate pathogens
- Air filtration maintenance to ensure a sterile environment
Arkansas healthcare regulations mandate strict cleaning guidelines hospitals in Little Rock must follow to avoid penalties and to maintain patient trust.
3. Emergency Departments
Emergency departments in hospitals have constant activity, including rapid patient turnover, trauma cases, and exposure to biohazards. These scenarios require complex cleaning to meet health and safety standards.
Here are some immediate cleaning priorities for emergency departments:
- Immediate disinfection of exam rooms after each use
- Thorough cleaning of high-touch surfaces in waiting areas
- Biohazard cleanup protocols for spills and contaminated materials
Emergency rooms in Little Rock serve as regional care hubs, requiring round-the-clock cleaning to manage the high volume of patients. Professional cleaners like ServiceMaster Twin Cities, have extensive training and expertise in cleaning these critical areas.
4. Restrooms and Staff Break Rooms
Both restrooms and staff breakrooms can harbor hidden germs. While restrooms are breeding grounds for bacteria, break rooms see frequent use by staff and can have germs brought in from other areas within the hospital.
These cleaning tips for restrooms and staff break rooms help to minimize the spread of germs, bacteria and viruses:
- Frequent sanitization of fixtures like faucets, handles and soap dispensers
- Use of touchless technology to reduce the spread of germs
- Deep cleaning of floors and walls to remove mold and mildew caused by humidity
The humid climate in Little Rock exacerbates mold growth in these rooms, necessitating vigilant cleaning. It also helps to have certain mops and cleaning cloths for designated spaces to keep germs from spreading.
5. Hallways and Entryways
Transitional areas like hallways and entryways are key to first impressions and infection control. These spaces usually have high foot traffic from patients, visitors, and staff who bring in dirt and pathogens from outside.
Some helpful cleaning strategies for hallways and entryways include:
- Using anti-microbial floor mats at entrances to trap dirt and germs
- Regular mopping and sanitization of floors, walls and railings
- Disinfection of elevator buttons, handrails and other frequently touched surfaces
Dust and pollen from the outdoors in Little Rock can easily enter hospitals, increasing cleaning demand in these areas. Routine cleaning of these areas helps to prevent the spread of germs and other pathogens in the areas most frequented by patients, visitors and staff.
Why Choose ServiceMaster Twin Cities for Hospital Cleaning?
If your hospital needs professional cleaning services for high traffic areas, ServiceMaster Twin Cities is ready to be your trusted partner in clean. We provide custom solutions and reliable service to help protect your patients, staff and business.
Work with us and receive:
- Healthcare expertise: we have extensive experience cleaning healthcare facilities and understand the importance of infection control and compliance. This includes Certification Training for Surgical Cleaning (CSCT) to manage dangerous pathogens in operating rooms and medical facilities.
- Advanced methods: we use hospital-grade disinfectants and specialized equipment that effectively clean various hospital areas. We’ll create a customized cleaning schedule to minimize disruption to your hospital operations.
- Local knowledge: as local owners of a national brand, we are familiar with Little Rock’s climate and healthcare needs. This makes us an invaluable partner for local hospitals.
From patient rooms to surgical suites, you can trust ServiceMaster Twin Cities to keep your needs in mind while our expertise is at work. Contact us today at (501) 389-9562 or complete our online form to get your custom cleaning plan.
