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THE CODE OF PRACTICE: DRAFT CONSULTATION DOCUMENT - HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATED INFECTION TASK FORCE

8. CLEANING SERVICES

8.1 The big issue

Patients, staff and visitors have a right to, and expect, a safe physical healthcare environment. Key to ensuring this safety at all times is cleanliness of the facilities where healthcare is delivered.

8.2 This is what it's all about

• Poor cleanliness of the healthcare setting is a proven infection risk for patients.
• Ensuring appropriate cleanliness protects patients from acquiring infections and reduces the risk of onward transmission of disease.
• Organisations have a responsibility to patients, staff and visitors for ensuring a safe, effective and clean physical environment of care in healthcare facilities.
• Patients, staff and visitors each have individual responsibilities to ensure a safe, effective and clean physical environment in healthcare facilities.
• Staff involvement and decision-making in achieving cleanliness must occur at the appropriate level within organisations and as close to the patient as possible.
• The views of patients, visitors and staff are essential in guiding cleanliness work and in assessing performance.
• The Code of Practice outlines the basic principles of best practice in cleaning services and should be used alongside relevant local policies and procedures.

This document draws on the current Cleaning Services Standards and the recently drafted technical requirements for cleaning services in everyday healthcare practice. This last important resource should be available in its final form by the end of 2004.

8.3 This is how to do it well

• Principal good practice statements
  • Since they provide the basis for maintaining a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors the cleaning standards set within any organisation must, as a minimum, always meet those laid down by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland or its successor.
  • During episodes/incidents of infection, the level of cleaning services must reflect the needs of each specific incident and should be locally determined.
  • Regular monitoring, audit and benchmarking must be used to assess the efficiency and efficacy of cleaning services.
  • All cleaning services staff must receive training and instruction on the safe operating practices and cleaning of healthcare facilities. This will commence with induction and will include appropriate training commensurate with their duties. Subsequently, staff should be supervised until they reach an appropriate standard.
  • All cleaning services staff must receive on-going training and instruction on the safe operating practices and cleaning of healthcare facilities which is commensurate with their duties.
  • A cleaning schedule detailing the levels of cleaning services for each particular area must be agreed with the Infection Control Team, the appropriate manager of the clinical area and the Cleaning Services Manager.
  • A risk management process is an integral part of managing healthcare cleaning services.

   

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