The Covid-19 pandemic has raised awareness of the critical role of Environmental Services (EVS) in preventing the spread of germs that can cause illness within healthcare environments as well as the need for targeted training and education in the EVS field. EVS professionals play a pivotal role in both maintaining a clean and sanitary environment for the patient but also in reducing potential patient harm. Regardless of the type of pathogen, routine cleaning and disinfection with an EPA-registered, broad-spectrum disinfectant remain a mainstay in any infection prevention and control program in healthcare facilities. Those that use disinfectants, such as EVS Technicians, must be thoroughly knowledgeable about any disinfectants that are used in the facility including core items such as contact time, proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), first aid, and product disposal instructions. It can be quite difficult to find comprehensive training programs designed to enhance cleaning operations and improve operational efficiencies. In addition, EVS departments often face difficulties in staff retention, which creates a continuous need for on-demand training and education.
This is why I’d like to share information about CloroxPro’s new HealthyClean™ Certificate Program — Trained Specialist Course, which is designed to meet the unique needs of both frontline cleaning personnel as well as managers and supervisors. Because this certificate program is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), it has been subjected to the industry’s most stringent reviews, vetted by top experts, and is a globally recognized certificate standard for quality program development and training comprehension. This high bar for approval is the testimony of the program’s contents, design, and ability to assess program participants.
In addition to the specific cleaning for health content incorporated into the program, the required elements to meet many standards from the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for both frontline personnel and supervisory personnel are also included. OSHA-specific topics include bloodborne pathogens, waste disposal, and handling sharps appropriately. The use of the CloroxPro™ HealthyClean™ Certificate Program can not only assist EVS leaders with meeting compliance requirements but also help protect EVS technicians from the inherent risks of infection found in healthcare facilities.
To successfully and reliably mitigate risks associated with the healthcare environment, EVS leaders should prioritize the three P’s: People, Process and Product. First, leaders must have the right people with the correct, role-specific competency to perform the role. Next, the correct processes must be in place that are both highly reliable and closely monitored such as environmental cleaning and disinfection of a patient’s room following discharge. Last, EVS frontline professionals must be equipped with the most comprehensive product solutions available to combat environmental pathogens. This comprehensive approach provides the best possible outcomes when it is rigorously followed. This three-tiered approach can assist EVS leaders with identifying risks associated with cleaning and disinfection and healthcare team safety issues such as exposure to bloodborne pathogens.
1) People:
- Do I have the right team members performing the role for which they are most qualified?
- How do I ensure the competency of my frontline EVS personnel?
- Are my personnel able to meet the demands of our Institution and patients?
- Do I have a highly functional team culture within my OR and facility?
2) Process:
- How is my cleaning/disinfection process validated and how often?
- How would I know if I have a cleaning/disinfection process failure?
3) Product:
- Do I use evidence-based products and technologies to maintain a clean and sanitary environment?
- Are my personnel properly educated about each cleaning/disinfection product that they use?
By improving the overall competency of individual frontline cleaning personnel and those who supervise them, EVS leaders can immediately use the CloroxPro™ HealthyClean™ Certificate Program to train and deliver annual training to provide frontline EVS Technicians and supervisors with the essential knowledge and skills to help them improve overall competency. To learn more about CloroxPro™ Healthy Clean™, visit: www.CloroxPro.com/healthyclean.
