Executive Housekeeping Today - March 2009 - (Page 16)

Feature article (continued from previous page) the bedrail. The initial reading was 452 RLUs; and after cleaning the rail, the reading dropped the level to 84 RLUs. In both areas that needed improvement, re-cleaning the surface significantly dropped the level of ATP bio-organic material. Also, during the pilot stage of the ATP system implementation, Flores’ department monitored several patient rooms on all three shifts with the supervisors and staff. They were pleased to find that the staff understood the general concept of the system and wanted to receive favorable test readings. The system allows them to monitor and evaluate cleanliness, enhance cleaning practices, and receive instant results of test points. It also provided training to staff on how to clean better and more thoroughly. “We are currently in the beginning stages of testing and have limited results,” says Flores. “The results we do have are very encouraging because we are now able to measure and quantify our employees’ cleaning ability.” How ATP Will Help Our Industry Padgett feels that the use of ATP devices will help the cleaning industry as a whole because it will allow us to create benchmarks that all cleaning entities can utilize to evaluate their cleaning effectiveness and procedures. In addition, it can be used as a great training tool to help hands-on workers understand the importance of proper cleaning techniques. As a building service contractor, Fragomeni feels that ATP usage will help the cleaning industry because as the industry advances in creating a healthy environment, we must understand how something is effectively cleaned and the sustainability of a surface. At the present time, ATP is the most eco- nomical process for measuring clean with instant results, and ATP devices can give building service contractors a competitive edge when seeking new customers. In addition, Flores feels that implementing the use of ATP meters will help the cleaning industry meet the Joint Commission’s nine National Patient Safety Goals for 2009. Goal number 7 is “Reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections.” The following is published as part of the “rationale”: “Patients continue to acquire healthcare-associated infections at an alarming rate. Risks and patient populations, however, differ between organizations. Therefore, prevention and control strategies must be tailored to the specific needs of each organization based on its risk assessment. The elements of performance for this requirement are designed to help reduce or prevent healthcare associated infections from epidemiologically important multiple drug resistant organisms (MDROs). Note: Hand hygiene, contact precautions, as well as cleaning and disinfecting patient care equipment and the patient’s environment are essential strategies for preventing the spread of health care-associated infections.” “Hospitals will be putting documented plans together on how they will meet this goal,” says Flores. “Integrating the ATP system as a training tool and a way to objectively measure the cleanliness of frequently touched objects and surfaces at risk for cross-contamination can be an important component of a plan to reduce HAI’s Padgett reviews the results found using his ATP device with one of his staff members. (Hospital Acquired Infections).” ATP devices will help you prove to your management just how effective your staff, procedures, and products you purchase really are. They will allow you to measure your staff’s cleaning effectiveness, evaluate products your departments already utilizes, will assist in decreasing the spread of infections, and will assist you in evaluating your current training program and procedures. So whether you are planning to implement an ATP system or are just thinking about it, go ahead—hop on the ATP bandwagon! u Edward Flores, Director of Environmental and Linen Services at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital, may be reached at edwardflores@ texashealth.org; Tim Padgett, REH, Director of Environmental Services at Shriner’s Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, may be reached at tpadgett@ shrinenet.org; and Pat Fragomeni, Regional Manager for Janitronics, Inc., may be reached at patf@janitronicsinc.com. 16 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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