It never fails, the first quarter of each year the Joint Commission performs their annual accreditation inspections for most of our healthcare clients. As the inspections approach providers begin to stress out, wondering if their facility will meet the stringent requirements set forth by the commission. The quality score of each inspection directly correlates to the amount of money the federal government will offer in the form of reimbursement for Medicare and Medicaid. Low scores equal smaller checks from Uncle Sam.
Healthcare cleaning services fall under the "environment of care" category and are only but a sliver of the requirements that apply to the management of the healthcare physical environment. With over 30 years providing healthcare cleaning services, our experience tells us to look out for the following items. This is the condensed list, but some of the more important aspects of healthcare cleaning services that should never be overlooked.
- High dusting, especially the tops of cabinets
- Door handle sanitizing
- Vent cleaning
- Light lens cleaning
- Carpet and floor maintenance
- Environmental service closet management
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Manufacture safety data (MSD)
- OSHA standards
The requirements for healthcare cleaning are much greater than that of regular janitorial services specifically because there is a much higher likelihood of infection in the healthcare setting. By being aware of the items on the list you can rest assured that you facility will more than meet the Joint Commission standards.
