Hospital equipment cleaning

Hospital equipment cleaning procedures have been the subject of scandals, exposés and extreme scrutiny over the last decade. The public has never been more aware of the (often) tragic consequences of poor hospital equipment cleaning processes and society is keen to hold the key decision-makers to account when high standards are not met.

Therefore, for any cleaning team whether in-house or contracted, it is vital to ensure a comprehensive clean to minimise risk to individuals, as well as to institutions.

Hospital equipment cleaning: Specialist advice and guidance

When you are beginning to develop cleaning programmes and processes you will want to take into account advice from appropriate third parties to ensure the schedules you put in place, the equipment you choose and the products you use will be the most fit-for-purpose available enabling you to deliver a high quality, safe result in this sensitive and specialised area of the cleaning sector.

Below you will find a selection of sources that are both useful and essential to consult as a responsible operator:

National Patient Safety Agency (http://www.npsa.nhs.uk ): If you take a moment to search this website on the subject of ‘cleaning’, you will be presented with a wealth of excellent information and research. However, there are some sections that are particularly relevant, including the National Colour Coding Scheme for cleaning materials and equipment that was developed by the NPSA and is recommended throughout the NHS.

Department of Health (http://www.dh.gov.uk ): Core information that’s no to be missed, including a variety of publications available to download. This website outlines best practice and cleaning standards, as well as the inspections that are likely to be carried out on your cleaning work.

Clean, safe care (www.clean-safe-care.nhs.uk ): This is an information portal specifically targeted at healthcare staff to assist them in preventing infection through a variety of methods including hospital equipment cleaning.

Care Quality Commission (http://www.cqc.org.uk ): This independent regulator of health and social care in England offers some excellence advice in its ‘Guidance for Healthcare Professionals’ section.

Cleaning and Support Services Association (http://www.cleaningindustry.org ): A trade association, this site is particularly useful if you’re looking for a cleaning contractor.

Hospital equipment cleaning: the right tools for the job

Once you’ve established what you need to clean and how you need to clean it, you’ll be on the lookout for the ideal piece of equipment to deliver precisely what you’re looking for, to the exacting standards that you require. A reliable place to start is by contacting B & G Cleaning, where you will find the very machine you’re looking for!