Executive Housekeeping Today - December 2008 - (Page 4)

ExEcutivE cornEr (continued from page 2) MicrofibEr (continued from previous page) these employers do not view their employee’s dedication to IEHA as a mutually beneficial arrangement. However, take the example of the Hawaii Chapter, who makes an effort to build a positive, lasting relationship with their members’ chief executive officers by holding their annual Bosses’ Night. This event gives recognition to those CEOs, and helps to ensure their continuing commitment to IEHA throughout the year. In addition, the Chapter boards should make sure that the leadership is evenly distributed throughout the board. All should participate in assisting the President in planning Chapter meetings, by finding meeting spaces, providing refreshments, and soliciting assistance from vendors. Chapter members should treasure the dedicated people who accept leadership positions and keep our Chapters stable and on course. We should each take the time to thank these people. Bringing a new member into a Chapter is always exciting, but if we want to maintain healthy, vibrant Chapters, we need to shrink that hole in our bucket, and when we do, we can give the ladle a little rest. It would also be in our best interest to conduct exit interviews with those who let their membership lapse, and collect and analyze the data from those interviews to see if any prevailing trends or conditions can be identified. The Association Office does this for every non-renewing member, but Chapters should do this, too! Any member who would like to chat further about developing an exit interview questionnaire can send me a message through the IEHA Social site. If you have not set up your profile yet, do it today—it only takes a minute. wasteful, microfiber is ergonomic, easy-to-use, and promotes conservation. What makes microfiber so effective is that the tiny fibers can access hard-to-clean areas, such as tiny pores, small nooks, and corners. While traditional string mops are difficult to use in corners, microfiber offers the versatility of a flat mop, providing easy access to these areas. Healthcare facilities have already implemented microfiber in a variety of ways. Microfiber flat mops are often used to clean floors and microfiber wipes help remove bacteria from furniture and devices. Healthcare cleaning professionals have found that by using microfiber products, they are able to achieve a more effective clean, while limiting use of harsh chemicals and reducing the threat of cross contamination. Another benefit microfiber offers is the ability to clean effectively while using noticeably less chemical and water than traditional string mops. In order to be effective, traditional mops require frequent water and chemical changes, which is wasteful and inefficient. In addition, they can push bacteria and germs back and forth across the surface of the floor instead of eliminating them, as opposed to microfiber, which has the ability to eliminate over 98 percent of bacteria and germs. To avoid cross contamination, many healthcare facilities are turning to color-coded microfiber systems. infecting the tool, there is a threat for cross contamination. To avoid cross contamination, many healthcare facilities are turning to color-coded microfiber systems. Color-coding acts as a visual identification system that matches equipment and area of use through specified colors to ensure the correct equipment and processes are used in the designated places. For example, the color red usually corresponds to restrooms. When employees see a red piece of microfiber or a red-handled tool, they immediately know to use equipment marked with red only in the restroom. Winning the Infection Control Battle Threatening Cross Contamination W Avoiding cross contamination is an imperative component of infection control. Cross contamination can occur when bacteria and germs from one environment transfer to another via common cleaning equipment. Therefore, if a worker uses a piece of cleaning equipment in one area, such as a restroom, and then immediately moves into a patient room without properly dis- For several years, healthcare cleaning professionals have used microfiber to control infection. Microfiber is a valuable asset in eradicating bacteria and germs, promoting Green infection control, and eliminating the threat of cross contamination. Furthermore, combining medical treatment with a highly-effective cleaning program can reduce the threat of CDI. It also offers peace of mind, as patients who see microfiber in a hospital can be reassured that they are in the cleanest environment possible. W Brian Alexson is Vice President of Sales for Unger Enterprises. For more information, please visit www.ungerglobal. com, or call 1-800-431-2324. 4 Executive Housekeeping Today/December 2008 http://www.ungerglobal.com http://www.ungerglobal.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Executive Housekeeping Today - December 2008

Executive Housekeeping Today - December 2008 Contents Executive Corner Microfiber May Impede an Infectious Disease Outbreak Controlling MRSA Outbreaks in Educational Facilities Frugal Housekeeper Restroom Hygiene IEHA Hosts Progressive Integrated Cleaning and Measurement (ICM)™ Symposium Feature Article The Green Scene 2006-2008 EHT Article Index USGBC Tip Product Highlights New Members Joint IEHA/ISSA Members REH/CEH Members Advertisers' Index Calendar of Events Inside IEHA What IEHA Has Done For Me

Executive Housekeeping Today - December 2008

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