If you operate a hospital, medical office, or any other type of healthcare facility, then you already understand how important cleanliness is to your operation. Without utilizing the appropriate cleaning and sanitization techniques, you put your staff and patients at risk of coming into contact with dangerous pathogens.
With this in mind, we would like to go over some of the services that should be covered during your cleaning routines and the benefits of hiring a qualified janitorial company.
Commercial Cleaning vs. Medical Cleaning
Just because a janitorial company is equipped to clean commercial properties does not mean they have the specialization to handle healthcare facilities. The average commercial janitorial job involves cleaning dirt, debris, and other common messes, which is much different than the cleaning needs of the typical medical office.
When searching for a cleaning company that can handle all of your requirements, it always makes sense to find one that is well-versed in healthcare cleaning. Qualified companies should list medical office cleaning on their website and be able to confidently address any inquiries you make about their services.
Some of the qualities you should look for in your healthcare cleaning company should be:
- Hospital-grade disinfection services
- Understanding of microorganisms, pathogens, and transference
- Adherence to medical facility procedures
- Specialized cleaning for offices, operating rooms, patient rooms, and more
- Floor care and sanitation
- EPA-approved cleaning products
Developing Your Medical Cleaning Routine
It always makes sense to have a solid plan of action when cleaning your healthcare facility. By making a list of all the work that needs to be done in order to keep your building safe, you can avoid any oversights and maintain the trust of your patients and employees.
We recommend having a medical cleaning professional assess your property alongside you to determine high-touch surfaces and areas of your building that require frequent disinfection. A certified cleaning contractor will be able to accurately identify the best cleaning procedures for the needs of your office and ensure that all of your concerns are put to rest.
Cleaning vs. Disinfecting
Although many people use these terms interchangeably, any medical professional should understand the important distinction between cleaning and disinfection. Rather than just removing dirt and allergens from surfaces, disinfectants eliminate traces of bacteria and viruses that could spread throughout your facility.
It is crucial that your cleaning staff is aware of the differences between these two principles and implements them both into your cleaning process. It is worth noting that disinfection is not a substitute for cleaning and that the most effective sanitization method is to properly clean your surfaces followed by disinfection.
By maintaining a sanitary facility, you will be able to hold your medical office to the highest standards and instill confidence in your patients.
Considering Your Cleaning Agents
Not all cleaning products are created equal. When it comes to selecting the right supplies to disinfect your medical equipment, there are some important factors to take into account. Some of the ideal properties that you should look for in your cleaning products should be:
- Nontoxic
- Effective and covers a broad antimicrobial range
- Easy to use
- Water-soluble
- Acceptable odor
- Fast-acting
- Economical
- Environmentally friendly
The Advantages of Professional Healthcare Cleaners
Although it makes sense to have your staff trained on the correct cleaning procedures for your office, there are many benefits to outsourcing your regular cleaning to a certified medical cleaning company. That being said, we would like to expand on some of these advantages, as well as what to look for in the company you hire.
They Are Familiar with Healthcare Cleaning Practices
A qualified medical cleaning company will already be up to date on the latest cleaning procedures. You can rest assured that they will take the time to assess the needs of your building, as well as consult with you about any special requirements. Your janitorial service should be able to easily adapt to your operation and already have a strong foundation of knowledge on how to clean it properly.
They Will Use Professional Quality Equipment and Products
Any reputable healthcare cleaners will utilize reliable, high-quality cleaning supplies to service your property. A professional company won't take any shortcuts with their cleaning or use toxic chemicals during their work.
They Will Keep Your Facility Ready for Inspection
Hiring a reliable medical cleaning company will ensure that your office receives regular cleaning as often as you need it. With scheduled cleaning of your high-touch surfaces, you can ensure that bacteria never has an opportunity to grow and spread throughout your facility.
They Can Help You Save Money
By outsourcing your cleaning to a healthcare cleaning company, you can avoid many of the costs associated with maintaining an in-house cleaning staff. A professional janitorial service allows you to easily budget your cleaning expenses due to fixed costs, as well as eliminate your need to pay for time off, worker's compensation, HR services, and hiring expenses.
Characteristics of a Professional Healthcare Cleaning Company
If you have decided that hiring a janitorial service to look after your healthcare facility is the right choice for your operation, it is important to find one that you can trust. Here are some of the things that you should expect from an effective medical cleaning company:
- Experienced and established in the healthcare industry
- Careful screening of all employees
- Extensive employee training and certification process
- Hospital-grade chemicals
- Compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations
- Regular quality inspections
- They ask the right questions when preparing for your cleaning
- Open communication
Get Started with a Certified Healthcare Cleaning Service
If you are in the market for a dependable cleaning company for your medical facility, Prestige Janitorial Services is a great place to start. Our highly trained team of cleaning experts has worked with some of the top healthcare facilities in the area and has made a name for themselves as a trusted resource for cleaning and disinfection.
We invite you to reach out to our staff anytime for answers to all of your questions and to schedule our top-notch cleaning services.