Executive Housekeeping Today - March 2009 - (Page 12)

SanItatIon (continued from previous page) to written protocols (once completed) with a priority emphasis on continued improvement. This means that every method and technique, every chemical used, and the management of their implementation, including cleaning frequencies, were subject to revision when something better and more efficient was proven to be effective. Finally, we wanted to transition the entire sanitation program to a Green operation by using low toxicity products and renewable resources whenever possible and practical. We started by using as our foundation for the revised SSOP a new concept developed for the housekeeping industry. It is called Integrated Cleaning and Measurement™ (ICM™) and is defined as an open-source protocol in which best practices are evaluated by scientific measurement of cleaning outcomes. Open-source means that the best practices and processes are evaluated by actual data that demonstrates their effectiveness when compared to others, or the more traditional methods that are or were in use. This means that ICM is an enhancement, rather than a replacement system, owing to the fact that most cleaning activities in food service remain fairly time-and-use dependent. In short, ICM is a logical tool used to distinguish between cleaning for public health augmented through disinfection and cleaning for aesthetics where appearance and absence of malodors are the goal. Objective measurement is the main component that makes this possible. Similar to any ongoing improvement process like HACCP, the ICM cycle typically follows a four-step process: (1) Measure, where new and effective tools are used to objectively create a baseline of current practices; (2) Compare, where the measure- To assign a level of cleanliness and develop meaningful cleaning protocols for the restaurant, surfaces were identified according to risk of contamination and/or their contamination potential. ments are used to provide data on how the current housekeeping and sanitation system compares to best practices available, and shows where improvements can be implemented; (3) Experiment, where new things are tried and better ways to achieve a desired cleanliness level are developed; and, (4) Implement, where the measurements taken for comparison and experimentation of new operating methods, products, and processes become part of the operation. The “measurement” in ICM is the key to this approach. The object of measuring cleaning outcomes is not to set a numerical “standard,” but rather to set baselines in order to evaluate differences in housekeeping methods and monitor trends for quality improvement. In this context, “improvement” is the operative word, rather than attaining and maintaining a “minimum performance level.” Objective measurements are a means of assessing chemicals, equipment, application, techniques, cost, and management. Depending on the operation, “measurement” can be as complex as microbiological or air and surface contamination assays, or as simple as using an ATP (adenosine triphosphate) monitoring system to measure the total bio-pollution of surfaces (bacteria, yeast, mold, food residues, etc.) for cleaning outcomes. For our purpose, we purchased a simple ATP monitoring system that had some flexibility to perform a few other assays as needed. The important thing to remember in using any system of measurement is to eliminate as much bias as possible by using a scientifically-based sampling protocol. We used “Standard Methods” and MIL-STD-105E (ANSI/ASQ Z1.4-2003) as guides in drafting this section. The former was used for actually taking the surface sample, the latter for selecting the number of samples and sampling site. Because we also wanted to transition to “Green” cleaning as much as possible in anticipation of new mandates, the ICM opensource system would let us do this without compromising cleaning outcomes as long as we use objective measurements as verification of efficacy. The ICM cycle is best suited to this type of cleaning transition in that all facets of an operation can be evaluated before a final selection is made. Basically, form following function. Before we began implementation of the ICM cycle, we needed to redefine the areas and surfaces that were to be cleaned to complement the monitoring system. We (continued on page 24) 2 Executive Housekeeping Today/March 2009

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Executive Housekeeping Today - March 2009

Executive Housekeeping Today - March 2009 Contents Executive Corner Why Integrated Cleaning and Measurement is Good for the Cleaning Industry Hygienic Green Cleaning - The Next Wave Frugal Housekeeper Integrated Cleaning and Measurement: A New Approach to Housekeeping and Sanitation Feature Article What's in YOUR Janitor Closet? The Green Scene 2009 Convention Information Product Highlights New Members Joint IEHA/ISSA Members Advertisers' Index Calendar of Events Inside IEHA What IEHA Has Done For Me

Executive Housekeeping Today - March 2009

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