Today, I am thrilled to share an announcement of a new online training that brings a burst of enthusiasm and innovation in the field of hygiene and sanitation.
A Step Forward in the World of Hygiene and Sanitation
AHSS in collaboration with La Boussole Verte, has taken a giant stride in advancing professional training by launching a basic training course for hygiene and sanitation attendants. This initiative stems from a desire to bolster the foundational skills of new employees in this sector while emphasizing the highest standards governing our industry.
A Multifaceted Training Course
Are you a trainer looking to optimize your orientation program? This course proves to be a treasure trove of information and resources, facilitating your task in integrating new team members.
Moreover, if your current attendants feel the need to refresh their skills and stay abreast with the sector’s latest practices, this course is perfectly suited to meet these needs.
Join Us
We cordially invite you to share this unprecedented opportunity with your colleagues and managers. To secure your spot or to obtain more information, visit AHSS.
We are eager to welcome you and collaborate together to raise the bar in the hygiene and sanitation sector.
Thank you in advance for your attention, and we look forward to reconnecting with you very soon.
See you soon, Gaétan Lanthier Expert Trainer in Hygiene and Sanitation
Don’t hesitate to embark on this enriching adventure and to contribute in setting new milestones in our field.”
Managing hygiene and sanitation isn’t just about cleanliness, but also responsibility, organization, and efficiency. In this post, we delve into essential factors to ensure top-notch sanitary maintenance and the challenges that might hinder this process.
Active Employee Participation: The Key to Successful Change Management
When it comes to selecting a product or equipment, involving staff can make the difference between success and failure. A user-mandate committee allows for more informed selection and heightened user accountability.
Training: Ensuring Proper Tool Usage
Both managers and users should be trained to use products correctly. This not only guarantees optimal efficiency but also safe handling.
Mindmapping: Visualize Your Sanitary Maintenance Project
Whether you’re launching a business or planning a major cleanup, mind maps can be invaluable tools.
Deficient facilities: From storage space to flooring, an inadequate work environment can hamper productivity.
Unsuitable work hours: Operating during peak times can diminish efficiency.
Lackluster training: Knowledge gaps can lead to costly mistakes.
Chaotic work organization: Without a clear work plan, both productivity and quality may suffer.
Inadequate products and tools: Having suitable equipment is pivotal for efficiency.
Conclusion
Hygiene and sanitation are paramount, and with a structured approach and attention to detail, you can overcome challenges and guarantee a clean and healthy environment for all. And if you need assistance, don’t hesitate to call in the experts!
Archaeologists recently discovered fragments of indoor toilets dating back 2,400 years in northwest China. This finding suggests that the concept of toilets with flush systems existed in China for over two millennia. Researchers identified the origin of the flush toilet in the ancient city of Yuegang, a capital of the Qin Kingdom and the early Han Dynasty. They were able to reconstruct an image of the toilets, consisting of a water pit connected to a bowl that servants would refill after each use. However, the upper part of the flush system is missing, preventing researchers from determining the position of the users during their natural needs.
Archaeologists described this discovery as a “luxury item,” suggesting that it was used by important members of society. Prominent figures in the Qin Kingdom, such as Qin Xiaogong and Qin Xiangong, likely used these toilets. This discovery represents the earliest and only known flush toilets in China to date.
Prior to this finding, the earliest evidence of indoor toilets dates back to the 16th century in England when Queen Elizabeth I is believed to have used a manual wooden flush. It was only in the late 19th century that porcelain was introduced by Thomas Twyford, a prominent figure in the hygiene movement. Since the end of World War II, toilets have become a significant fixture in residences. This discovery in China reveals that the invention of the flush toilet dates back much earlier than previously thought and may have independently originated in various regions of the world.
Automatic flush toilets are increasingly popular in public facilities and commercial buildings. These modern toilets offer a convenient and hygienic solution for users by eliminating direct contact with the bowl. However, the benefits of these flush toilets go beyond ease of use.
One of the main advantages of automatic flush toilets is their ability to prevent unpleasant odors. These toilets are equipped with an automatic flushing system that rinses the bowl after each use, quickly eliminating waste and preventing the accumulation of bacteria and germs, significantly reducing unpleasant odors.
Furthermore, some automatic flush toilets feature odor control systems that utilize chemicals or filters to neutralize odors. These systems are particularly useful in high-traffic public facilities.
In addition, automatic flush toilets help maintain restroom cleanliness. With no push buttons or levers, there is no need to touch the bowl to activate the flush, greatly reducing the risk of cross-contamination and improving hygiene.
Lastly, they are easy to install and maintain. They do not require additional plumbing and can be connected to existing water sources. Moreover, most models are equipped with an automatic cleaning system that removes limescale deposits and bacteria.
In conclusion, automatic flush toilets offer numerous advantages for users and building owners. They prevent unpleasant odors, keep restrooms clean and hygienic, and are easy to install and maintain. If you are considering upgrading your toilets, this could be an excellent option to consider.
The year 2023 has seen significant developments in sanitary maintenance worldwide. This article highlights the most notable aspects of these advancements based on recent news.
Food Safety in Aquaculture and Fishing
One major area of interest in 2023 has been food safety, particularly in the aquaculture and fishing sectors. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have released documents emphasizing the importance of food safety, with a specific focus on the World Food Safety Day. These documents have shed light on the significance of food safety and ways to strengthen it in these industries.
Managing Sanitary Crises: The Case of Gaziantep
Another significant event in 2023 was the series of earthquakes in Gaziantep, Turkey, which had a significant impact on sanitation. Andreea Afumateanu, a UN sanitary coordinator who worked on the ground, shared her experience. She highlighted the unique challenges of managing sanitary maintenance in a natural disaster context, particularly the importance of psychological support for survivors who faced significant losses12.
Since the beginning of the earthquakes, approximately 3.3 million people have been displaced, and 2.4 million are living in temporary shelters. Overall, an estimated 15 million people have been affected by this catastrophe in some way3.
Despite these challenges, the response from Turkish authorities and the international community has been commendable. The Turkish Ministry of Health has been actively involved, mobilizing thousands of healthcare professionals to respond to the crisis. Efforts are underway to provide safer and more hygienic accommodation, with tents being replaced by containers during the reconstruction of houses3.
There is still much to learn about the evolution of sanitary maintenance in 2023. Further research is needed to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of developments in other regions and sectors. However, it is clear that sanitary maintenance remains a crucial priority worldwide, requiring the ongoing attention and investment of all stakeholders.
Note: This article was created with an AI-assisted writing tool and fully reviewed and improved by a human.
Disinfection is the process by which microorganisms such as bacteria are eliminated or reduced. The objective of disinfection is to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by reducing the number of microorganisms present. Disinfection can be achieved in various ways, including the use of disinfectant chemicals such as alcohol-based disinfectants, quaternary ammonium compounds, sodium hypochlorite (bleach), or hydrogen peroxide.
Effective Planning and Disinfection Management
This would be the planning. We need to develop a detailed plan for management and disinfection. It is important to identify high-risk areas, determine the necessary equipment, outline the procedures to be followed, and define the responsibilities of the individuals involved in the disinfection process.
This is training. It involves ensuring that the personnel responsible for management and disinfection are trained in good hygiene and disinfection practices. They should be familiar with the procedures, the cleaning/disinfection products to be used, and the safety precautions to be taken.
This is personal hygiene. We should encourage and maintain good personal hygiene practices among the staff. This includes habits such as regular handwashing with soap, the use of hand sanitizers, and wearing appropriate protective clothing.
This is regular cleaning. It entails establishing a regular cleaning schedule for all surfaces and high-risk areas.
This is proper disinfection. It involves using appropriate disinfectants to kill germs and reduce the risk of infection.
This is ventilation. We should ensure good ventilation in indoor spaces to facilitate the circulation of fresh air.
This is waste management. We need to implement an appropriate system for waste management, ensuring the safe and hygienic disposal of potentially contaminated materials.
This is monitoring and evaluation. It entails establishing regular monitoring and evaluation procedures to assess the effectiveness of the management and disinfection measures. Adjustments should be made if necessary.
This is raising awareness among staff and relevant individuals about hygiene practices.
This is compliance with regulations. We must ensure that regulations regarding hygiene are adhered to and that standards are upheld. Therefore, it is important to stay informed about updates and recommendations from health authorities.
The uses/benefits of disinfectant
Eliminates germs and bacteria, ensuring a clean and hygienic environment for everyone.
Surface Disinfection: This category involves the disinfection of surfaces such as countertops, doorknobs, switches, phones, keyboards, faucets, etc. There are specifically formulated disinfectant products to eliminate germs and bacteria on surfaces. These products can be disinfecting wipes, sprays, or disinfectant solutions to be used with a clean cloth.
Hand Disinfection: This refers to the disinfection of hands to eliminate germs and bacteria that may be present. The use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers is common in this category. Hand sanitizers are usually available as gels or liquid solutions. It is recommended to rub the hands with the sanitizer for at least 20 seconds until it dries.
Medical Instrument Disinfection: This category primarily concerns healthcare facilities and medical professionals. It involves the disinfection of medical instruments such as scalpels, syringes, injection devices, probes, etc. In this case, more complex disinfection procedures may be required, such as the use of autoclaves, dry heat sterilizers, or specific chemical agents.
To conclude, disinfection is essential to ensure good hygiene in the workplace, and it requires precise steps to be properly carried out.
In institutions and industry, hygiene and sanitation are essential elements for ensuring the safety and well-being of employees, clients, and users. This article addresses the importance of proper sanitary maintenance management, with a focus on using dedicated software for developing work routes for janitors and sanitation workers. We will also explore the importance of space analysis, maintenance estimates, execution and planning of work, as well as quality inspections, and we will make a reference to the Sanitek tool (www.sanitek.ca).
Space Analysis: The Key to Good Management and Planning
A thorough analysis of workspaces is crucial for determining hygiene and sanitation needs. This step allows for the identification of risk areas, surfaces to be cleaned, and required maintenance frequencies. Specialized software, such as Sanitek, facilitates this analysis by offering features to map spaces, identify sensitive points, and establish appropriate maintenance protocols.
Maintenance Estimates: A Tool for Optimizing Resources
Maintenance estimates help determine the costs and resources needed to ensure adequate sanitary maintenance. A detailed estimate includes labor, equipment, products, and consumables. Thanks to dedicated software, it is possible to create customized estimates based on the specific needs of each establishment, which optimizes resources and improves efficiency.
Execution and Planning of Work: Optimized Management
Sanitary maintenance management software helps plan and execute hygiene and sanitation work optimally. These tools allow for the creation of work routes for janitors and sanitation workers, taking into account priorities and time constraints. They also offer features to track work progress in real-time, ensure communication between teams, and automate certain tasks, such as ordering products or generating reports.
Quality Inspections: Ensuring Compliance and Excellence
To ensure that hygiene and sanitation standards are met, it is essential to conduct regular quality inspections. Specialized software offers features to plan these inspections, generate detailed reports, and implement corrective actions if necessary. These tools thus facilitate the management of quality standards and compliance with regulations, while ensuring a healthy and safe environment for all occupants.
Sanitek: An Innovative Tool for Hygiene and Sanitation Management
Sanitek is a software specifically designed to facilitate the management of hygiene and sanitation in institutions and industry. It offers a comprehensive solution for space analysis, the development of maintenance estimates, planning and execution of work, as well as conducting quality inspections.
With its intuitive and user-friendly platform, Sanitek allows managers to optimize resource utilization, improve maintenance team efficiency, and ensure compliance with hygiene and sanitation standards. In addition, Sanitek offers features for team communication and information centralization, making it easier to make informed decisions and implement corrective actions.
Conclusion
Hygiene and sanitation are essential elements for the proper functioning of institutions and industry. Implementing effective sanitary maintenance management is therefore crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of all occupants. Dedicated software, such as Sanitek, plays a key role in optimizing this management by offering tailored solutions for each establishment.
By leveraging these tools, maintenance managers can analyze spaces, develop customized maintenance estimates, plan and execute work optimally, and conduct quality inspections to ensure compliance with standards and regulations. Thus, using software like Sanitek improves the efficiency of maintenance teams, optimizes resource utilization, and contributes to a healthy and safe environment for all.
In summary, adopting innovative solutions like Sanitek is a strategic investment for institutions and industry, not only ensuring occupant satisfaction but also meeting legal requirements and strengthening the company’s brand image in terms of hygiene and sanitation.
Piccadilly Circus, London, England between 1890 and 1900
The last time you brushed your teeth, watered your plants or poured yourself a nice glass of cold tap water, did you stop for a moment to think you had instant access to clean water? safe? To understand how this marvel was created, you have to go back to the beginning of the 19th century in London.
Progress makes perfect even in London
At that time, the streets of London were full of trash and excrement, and the city’s rivers were heavily polluted. All this filth and misery was not just a nuisance to the nostrils of Londoners. It was downright deadly.
Cholera outbreaks in London
The contaminated rivers were particularly dangerous. For example, between 1848 and 1854, several cases of cholera broke out in London, killing thousands. No one knew what caused it.
But there was a sudden medical breakthrough. A medical doctor, Dr. John Snow (no connection to the popular series) was mapping the spread of the disease through the city, he realized that one of the sources of the outbreak was a water utility company that was distributing the water collected downstream of the outlets. He understood that to stop the spread of cholera one had to improve the water supply.
A revolution in water management
Snow’s discovery led to a revolution in sanitation. Soon after, sophisticated clean water systems were introduced, followed by filtration and chlorination. With each of these improvements, water quality and safety have improved.
Extract and free translation: Progress by Johan Norberg
A prevention kit
With virus season now, all the time (!), make sure you have the essentials for your users. Consult our kit at lalema.com specialist for cleaning supplies, sanitary supplies and cleaning products specialist in Montreal, designed to help you! Put it in your basket in 1 click!
I asked ChatGPT the following question: “How will hygiene and sanitation change in the next 20 years”. Here is its response:
HOW HYGIENE AND SANITATION WILL EVOLVE IN THE NEXT 20 YEARS
It is difficult to accurately predict how hygiene and sanitation will evolve over the next 20 years, but there are some current trends that may continue to develop:
The use of advanced technologies: Technologies such as AI, the Internet of Things (IoT) and sensors can be used more broadly to monitor and improve hygiene and sanitation in living environments.
Improved quality of drinking water: There will likely be increased attention on the quality of drinking water to prevent waterborne diseases. Technologies to purify water, such as filtration and UV disinfection, could be improved and become more widely available.
Food Hygiene: There will likely be an increased focus on food hygiene to prevent foodborne illness. Food quality monitoring and control systems could be improved to ensure food safety.
Sanitation: Efforts to improve sanitation and eliminate waste could be strengthened to prevent water-related diseases. Technologies for treating wastewater and waste could be improved for more sustainable and environmentally friendly management.
Waste management: Effective waste management will become increasingly important in the coming years. With the increasing population, waste generation is expected to increase, and therefore, the development of sustainable waste management systems will become a priority. Technologies such as recycling and composting could be improved and become more widespread.
Public Health: Improved public health will be an important outcome of improved hygiene and sanitation. Hygienic living environments, improved drinking water, and food safety are all critical components of public health. Additionally, better waste management systems can also help reduce health risks from exposure to waste.
Global Cooperation: Global cooperation will be crucial in addressing the challenges of improving hygiene and sanitation, especially in developing countries. International organizations, governments, and non-profits can work together to share knowledge, resources, and best practices for improving hygiene and sanitation.
Environmental Sustainability: Improving hygiene and sanitation will not only benefit public health, but it will also help protect the environment. Efforts to reduce waste and promote sustainable waste management practices will reduce environmental degradation and help protect natural resources.
In general, it can be expected that technological advances will continue to play a key role in improving sanitation in the future. It is also important to continue efforts to raise awareness of the importance of hygiene and sanitation, and the need to take steps to maintain them.
In conclusion, the evolution of hygiene and sanitation over the next 20 years will likely be shaped by a combination of technological advancements, increased awareness, and international cooperation. It is essential that these trends continue to be developed and implemented in a sustainable manner to ensure a healthy and hygienic future for all.
Questions? visit www.lalema.com to have a conversation with real humans by phone or chat.
Note: This post was created with an AI-assisted writing tool and fully reviewed and improved by a human.
It is important to respect the recommended dilution rate for cleaning products in healthcare facilities for several reasons. First, using cleaning products at the correct dilution helps to ensure that they are effective at removing dirt and germs from surfaces. If the cleaning solution is too dilute, it may not have enough cleaning power to properly disinfect the surface. On the other hand, if the solution is too concentrated, it may be too harsh and potentially damage surfaces or cause irritation to the skin.
Second, using cleaning products at the correct dilution can help to reduce the risk of health hazards. Some cleaning products contain chemicals that can be harmful if ingested or inhaled, or if they come into contact with the skin. Using these products at the recommended dilution helps to minimize the risk of exposure to these chemicals.
Finally, using cleaning products at the correct dilution can help to reduce costs. Using too much of a cleaning product can be wasteful and unnecessarily increase expenses. By using the correct dilution, you can ensure that you are using the optimal amount of product to effectively clean and disinfect surfaces, while also minimizing waste.
In summary, respecting the recommended dilution rate for cleaning products is important in healthcare facilities because it helps to ensure that the products are effective at cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, reduces the risk of health hazards, and can help to reduce costs.
The most comprehension local catalog for your cleaning product with a dilution rate
On the Lalema website, you will find all the cleaning products you need. In addition, you will find practical dilution rate tables.
Note: This article was created with an AI-assisted writing tool and fully reviewed and improved by a human.
How to safely perform cleaning and disinfection a surface soiled with bodily fluid and dispose of waste properly?
Here is some of the content from my exclusive training on Infection Prevention and Control in the Presence of Body Fluids. This training (in French with English documentation), presented in the form of short video clips (nearly forty), lasts approximately 2 hours and covers several exclusive and relevant content for hygiene and sanitation workers.
OVERVIEW OF THE CONTENT OF A TRAINING ON DISINFECTION TECHNIQUES
The main microbes to which sanitary maintenance workers can be exposed, the associated risks and the means of transmission
Basic concepts in sanitary maintenance for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
The different body fluids (body fluids) and the associated risk factors
Products and accessories for cleaning and disinfection
Personal protective equipment
Cleaning and disinfection techniques including hand washing.
THE MAIN MICROBES TO WHICH HEALTH MAINTENANCE WORKERS MAY BE EXPOSED, THE ASSOCIATED RISKS AND THE MEANS OF TRANSMISSION
Microbes
Viruses or bacteria
Reproduction of bacteria
Survival of bacteria on surfaces
Infectious risk
Transmission of infections
Virus or bacteria
BASIC CONCEPTS IN SANITARY MAINTENANCE FOR THE CLEANING AND DISINFECTIONS OF SURFACES
Basics
Sinner’s Circle
Wetting power
Micelles
Foaming power
PH scale
Eradication of microbes
Contact time
DIN
Types of disinfectants
Why dilute a product
Always read the manual
7 ways to make maintenance safer
THE DIFFERENT BODY FLUIDS (BIOLOGICAL LIQUIDS) AND THE ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS
Body fluids and associated risks
Body fluids (body fluids)
Risk factors
PRODUCTS AND ACCESSORIES FOR CLEANING AND DISINFECTION
Produits et accessoires
Trousse de matériel
LES ÉQUIPEMENTS DE PROTECTION INDIVIDUELLE
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Hand hygiene
Dressing procedure
Undressing procedure
Practical advice
Wearing the mask
CLEANING AND DISINFECTION TECHNIQUES
Cleaning and disinfection steps
Steps to follow
Cleaning and disinfection procedure
Waste management
What is biomedical waste
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
A training cannot be complete without a formal evaluation! This is why we offer each participant a quiz of 10 questions before issuing a superb attestation!
When we talk about disinfection, we talk about the prevention and control of infection in the environment. Therefore, equipment used for respiratory therapy is considered semi-critical. The equipment must then be cleaned and disinfected properly between patients. The WHO gives us the proper maintenance of respiratory equipment in procedures to follow. The procedures are checklists in steps of a cycle. Let’s explore all the summarized steps up to the cycle finish. And yes, the cleaning step is before the disinfection step!
The external device surfaces must be wiped with a damp cloth or disposable wipe that is soaked in detergent and clean water. Then, remaining detergent residue must be wiped off with a dry lint-free cloth. A mechanical action (scrubbing/brushing) should be used to remove visible dirt deposits and calcifications.
4. Disinfect
4a. Physical disinfection – Heat for heat resistant equipement (steam/hot-water)
A high-level of physical disinfection can be achieved with steam (e.g. autoclaving at lower temperature) or hot-water at least 121°C. This is an inexpensive and effective method for sterilization or high-level disinfection.
4b. Chemical disinfection for plastic plus other parts that can be damaged by heat
b) If the disinfection needs to be with chemicals solutions, it should be performed in a well-ventilated area and away from patients. Use a disposable wipe or a fresh cloth that is soaked in a compatible disinfectant. Hydrogen peroxide 0.5% or ethanol 70-90%. Wipe from top to bottom and avoid contact with electrical connectors.
5. Dry equipment / Rinse equipment
a) Physical equipment often has a drying feature within the machine (e.g. washer, pasteurizer or autoclave). Following pasteurization, the wet equipment is typically dried in a hot-air drying cabinet or air-dried. Make sure to carefully inspect and ensure that no water is left in the equipment.
b) If a chemical solution was used for disinfection, rinse the equipment with sterile or clean water (i.e. water boiled for 5 mins and cooled down). It is preferred to use sterile water for rinsing off residual liquid chemical disinfectant from the respiratory device.
6. Store equipment in closed packages
Last step. Title says it all.
This was a summary of the Care, cleaning and disinfection of respiratory equipment in sterile services department’s article by World Health Organization.
This article is a free translation of WHO’s article.
Source: World Health Organization – https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/care-cleaning-and-disinfection-of-respiratory-equipment-in-sterile-services-department – https://www.who.int/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/care-cleaning-disinfection-of-respiratory-equipment.tmb-479v.png?sfvrsn=14530f0b_1
When it comes to cleanliness, some people are mixing technical terms leading to ambiguity. It is like mixing chemicals together: That is not a good idea! To keep it simple, we’ll just give a real definition.
Deteriorated surfaces definition
A deteriorated surface shows wear off sign often caused by time or misuse.
Deterioration is one of three elements of impairment of property, the others being functional obsolescence (or obsolescence) and economic obsolescence.
Safe surfaces definition
Safe surface means that it is safe to health. Such surface is healthy or good for health often because of risk management. In the food industry, this is why we often refer to it as food safety. Safe is also synonymous to hygienic !
Disinfected surfaces definition
Disinfection is a voluntary momentary removal operation of certain bacteria (if it comes to “all germs” we refer more to sterilization), so as to stop or prevent infection or the risk of infection or superinfection by pathogenic or undesirable microorganisms or viruses.
For example:
To sanitize a surface eliminates 99.9% of microorganisms (This is a 1,000 X reduction)
To disinfect a surface removes 99.999% of microorganisms (This is a 100,000 X reduction)
To sterilize a surface or instrument removes 99.9999% of microorganisms (This is a 1,000,000 X reduction)
Obviously, “momentarily” is a key fator because the surface will be contaminated again as soon a a contaminant will enter in contact with the it. That’s why some disinfectants have a residual effect that prolongs the action of disinfectant for a certain time.
To learn more
Visit l’Academy Lalema for a whole lot of online training in sanitation and surface disenfection..
GPT3 AI generated image : “A janitor cart in a hospital patient room”
GPT3 Input
gpt3> write a 250 words article about how hard surface disinfectant will become more essential in the future.
GPT3 Output
As the world becomes more populated and the spread of disease becomes more prevalent, the need for hard surface disinfectants will become more essential. Hard surface disinfectants are a key part of preventing the spread of disease, and as the world becomes more connected, the need for these products will only increase.
There are a number of factors that contribute to the spread of disease, and hard surface disinfectants are an important part of preventing the spread of infection. The main factor that contributes to the spread of disease is contact with contaminated surfaces. Hard surface disinfectants kill the bacteria and viruses that are present on surfaces, preventing the spread of infection.
Another factor that contributes to the spread of disease is the presence of food and water sources that are contaminated with bacteria and viruses. Hard surface disinfectants can also be used to clean these contaminated surfaces, preventing the spread of disease.
In addition to these two factors, there are a number of other factors that contribute to the spread of disease. These include the presence of sick people in close proximity to others, the sharing of contaminated items, and the exposure to contaminated air. Hard surface disinfectants can also be used to clean these contaminated surfaces, preventing the spread of disease.
The need for hard surface disinfectants will only increase as the world becomes more populated and the spread of disease becomes more prevalent. Hard surface disinfectants are a key part of preventing the spread of disease, and as the world becomes more connected, the need for these products will only increase.
When you read the title of this article, I imagine you had much the same reaction as I did. You must have thought that hygiene habits in the Wild West must be practically non-existent! Indeed, it is difficult to imagine the hygiene habits in the Wild West when we are currently living with COVID-19.
BRIEF HISTORY AND SETTLEMENT OF THE WILD WEST
The Wild West is the most famous period in the history of the American West. This period began in 1865 after the Civil War (between 1861 and 1865) and ended in 1895. Geographically speaking, the Wild West constitutes the territories located in the west of the Mississippi. Of course, there had been several waves of settlement in the West since the arrival of the first European settlers in America. The California Gold Rush of the 1840s was the first, and the call of Manifest Destiny (the idea that westward expansion was an American right and should be guaranteed) was the second. With the development of railroads in the 1860s and improved technology after the Civil War, the west became more accessible.
THE PRESENCE OF SOAP AND SHAMPOO
According to Frank Clifford, a cowboy and drifter who wrote a memoir about his life in the American Wild West, soap existed. He spoke of “soap-weed,” which Mexican women used to wash their hair. Made from the yucca plant, the soap left hair soft, clean and shiny. Many settlers used soap made from animal fat, although it was known to be harsh and irritate the skin. However, soap was not a priority. Body odor was considered a fact of life and many believed that having pores that were too clean exposed them to germs and disease.
As for shampoo, some people used soap-weed to wash their hair when they were lucky enough to have it. Another method was the use of whiskey, which was also used as a disinfectant. It was mixed with castor oil to wash the hair, which was then rinsed with rainwater or water softened with borax.
THE INEVITABLE DUST
Outside and inside, dust was inevitable in the Wild West. Frequent and devastating, dust storms covered entire towns with thick layers of dirt and grime. Sarah Raymond Herndon, author of American stories who traveled from Missouri to the Montana area in the 1860s, quotes: “Oh, the dust, the dust; it is terrible. I have never seen it half as bad; it seems to be almost knee-deep in places […] When we stopped, the boys’ faces were a sight; they were covered with all the dust that could stick on.” The presence of so much dust, of course, caused severe respiratory illness.
THE USEFULNESS OF THE SCARF
The scarf, one of the iconic aspects of cowboy attire, was an essential and used for a multitude of purposes. It was used to protect the mouth and nose from dust (like a mask), to protect the neck from the sun, the ears from the cold and much more.
COMMON TOWELS IN SALOONS
Towels in Wild West bars were used to wipe beer foam from customers’ mouths and beards. These shared towels were accessible to everyone near the bar counters. They were thus carriers of innumerable germs and diseases.
THE OUTHOUSES, A NIGHTMARE
The outhouses experience is, going into a shed built over a hole in the ground. When the hole was full, it was buried. Then, the structure would be moved to another hole. Outhouses attracted all kinds of insects because of the smell. These toilets were an easy way to catch diseases. There was no toilet paper, so people used leaves, corncobs and grass.
NOT BEING ILL WAS A MIRACLE
Eventually, due to the unsanitary conditions of the many people living in the Wild West, it was normal for diseases to affect the settlements on the American frontier. Cholera was one of the most important and was devastating to both settlers and Native Americans. Upon arrival at one camp, Sarah Raymond Herndon said, “There is no disease at all in the camp; it is wonderful how well we are doing. I hope it continues that way.”
So, it’s no surprise that the hygiene habits of that era were terrible. To learn more about the history and other facts of the Wild West, visit the sources below.
Loose translation of What Was Hygiene Like In The Wild West?
This wednesday’s tale, June 29th 2022, is about one of the worst pandemics in history, the Black Death! This pandemic of plague reached Europe in 1346 via the Mediterranean basin through ships carrying goods from the Black Sea. On board these ships, in addition to cargo and passengers, there were little stowaways: flea-infested black rats carrying the bubonic plague. And so, one of the most deadly pathogens was released at the ports of Europe. Rapid and fatal, the consequences were: disease, suffering and death on a cataclysmic scale. Up to 60% of the population of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa was killed in eight years by the Black Death.
IDENTIFICATION OF THE PATHOGEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DISEASE
First, in 1894, the pathogen responsible for the disease was discovered by bacteriologists Kitasato Shibasaburo and Alexandre Yersin. At the same time, they discovered the plague bacillus, an elongated “rod-shaped” bacterium. They named it Yersinia pestis, a bacterium carried by fleas proliferating on rats and other small rodents. The bacilli multiply in the flea’s intestine. When the flea bites its host, it regurgitates the bacilli into the host’s body and infects it. And normally, this happens in a closed cycle between fleas and rodents. The bacteria spreads at such a rate that it kills its rodent hosts. This forced the fleas to find new hosts, namely humans. The infection spread easily. Rats were attracted to human activity, especially to food stored in barns, mills and houses.
THE SYMPTOMS
Then, the symptoms of the Black Death. The incubation period was very long, varying between 16-23 days before the first symptoms appeared. Three to five days later, the victim would die. It was too late to understand the cause of death and to be fully aware of the danger.
Nodules in the patients’ lymphatic system were affected, causing swelling in the groin and armpits. These initial symptoms were accompanied by vomiting, headaches and a very high fever that made the patients tremble.
3 FORMS OF THE BLACK DEATH
First, the bubonic plague as the most common form of the Black Death. The lymph gland was inflamed and widely known as a bubo. This gave rise to the term bubonic plague.
Second was septicemic plague, as one of the other variants of the plague. It infected the victim’s blood, causing visibly black spots under the skin. This is probably what gave the Black Death its name.
Third, the pulmonary plague which affected the respiratory system, causing the victim to cough. This facilitated the infection by droplet projection. In the medieval period, septicemic and pneumonic plagues had a 100% mortality rate.
THE EXACT ORIGIN OF THE BLACK DEATH
Finally, the origin of the Black Death pandemic. According to a study putting an end to nearly seven centuries of questioning, it would have emerged in Central Asia in Kyrgyzstan. Researchers were able to trace the source by extracting ancient human DNA from a 14th-century burial site in northern Kyrgyzstan. Of the more than 400 tombstones at this burial site, about 100 dated precisely between 1338-1339. With an epitaph mentioning “death by pestilence”, in ancient Syriac. Phil Slavin, one of the authors of the study and a professor at the University of Stirling, knew of the existence of two medieval burial sites. These burial sites located near the lake of Issyk Kul in Kyrgyzstan had been excavated at the end of the 19th century.
The researchers searched the dental DNA of seven skeletons to find the cause of death. One of the authors of the study, Maria Spyrou from the University of Tübingen in Germany, explains: “The dental pulp is a valuable source, because it is a highly vascularized area that gives a high chance of detecting pathogens in the blood”. The DNA was sequenced and compared to a database containing the genome of thousands of bacteria. The verdict: the bodies were infected by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, the bacillus responsible for the Black Death, transmitted to humans by rodent fleas.
This community had therefore been the victim of the same plague that struck Europe a few years later. Analyses of the Yersinia pestis genome also revealed that it was an ancestral strain of the bacterium. It was the one at the base of the “genetic tree” of the plague. This Christian community, ethnically diverse (Mongols, Uyghurs…) practiced long-distance trade. Phil Slavin argues, “Living in the heart of the Silk Roads, they must have traveled extensively, which played a role in the spread of the epidemic via the Black Sea.”
In the past, we have often lauded the advantage of microfiber for cleaning. This is repeated today, but with the use of a disposable microfiber as the first step in the disinfection process. Of course, we are talking about cleaning first, then disinfecting. However, the products highlighted in this article are compatible with common disinfectants. These products are Rubbermaid‘s Hygen single-use microfiber swabs and wipes.
WHAT IS A MICROFIBER AGAIN?
Microfiber is a synthetic textile fiber (polyester, polyamide or a mixture) that is very fine and light with a denomination which is less than one decitex. A microfiber (filament) is characterised by its small diameter, the nature of its fiber and its structure. Therefore, not all microfibers are the same or of the same quality. This revolutionary material has quickly become a must in the hygiene, health and automotive sectors. To know more about it, read this article, Spotlight on microfiber!
THE HYGEN LINE FROM RUBBERMAID
The Hygen line was designed specifically for the healthcare industry. It is an excellent option for any facility looking to improve its cleaning efficiency, especially during the COVID-19 period. The HYGEN disposable microfiber pad and wipe contribute to the area cleaning as the first step in the disinfection process.
Microfiber pads and wipes
They eliminate 99.7% or more of the viruses and bacteria tested to help improve cleaning efficiency. And this was tested with water only
Help reduce cross-contamination with disposable pads/wipes that encourage cleaning with new pads/wipes for each area or task
Built-in scrub strips are made of polyester to help effectively remove dirt
DEMONSTRATION OF THE DISPOSABLE MICROFIBER
Here’s a video from Rubbermaid Commercial Products. They demonstrated the benefit of their Hygen disposable microfiber wipe compared to a paper towel and a disinfectant wipe. They use a fluorescent marker to demonstrate and verify cleaning practices.
Thus, using this disposable microfiber with a disinfectant provides an added layer of assurance. They will clean and disinfect well your floors and surfaces by combining the microbe removal power of the microfiber with the disinfectant’s killing power.
Today, April 22nd, is Earth Day. Since we are rambling about disinfection in this blog, it is much obliged to combine topics like disinfection and ecology! There is such a thing as an ecological disinfectant cleaner even if disinfectants are often associated with unpleasant toxicological profiles. For disinfectants to be considered environmentally friendly, they must meet the UL Environment 2794 standard (formerly EcoLogo DCC-166). Here at Lalema, we have the EKO-QUAT which is a neutral quaternary ammonium disinfectant cleaner and yes, it meets the UL Environment 2794 standards. We’ll get to know more about this product, but let us first understand what is an ecological disinfectant.
Defining ecological disinfectant
An ecological disinfectant is a disinfectant with a minimal risk to the environment. To be specific, the product must not contain carcinogen or phosphates, which is low in volatile organic compounds, non-toxic and readily biodegradable.
Ecological Disinfectant Cleaner EKO-QUAT
EKO-QUAT is a fourth generation neutral quaternary ammonium disinfectant cleaner. It eliminates dirt and the most resistant pathogens such as MRSA and VRE bacteria in conditions which are usually uncontrolled.
Its neutral PH makes it an ideal product to clean and disinfect any surface such as floors, ceramic, walls and counters with a sprayer, a cloth, a mop or a sponge.
This ecological disinfectant cleaner is versatile! Use it as a disinfectant, cleaner, deodorizer and toilet bowl disinfectant in several environments such as retirement homes, veterinary clinics or hospitals.
EKO-QUAT is an EcoLogo certified (UL 2794) ecological quaternary disinfectant (DIN 02423391).
Note that the EKO-QUAT is available in 2 formats: in manual dilution format (see 4 L image) and in Twist & Mixx format for Twist & Mixx dilution system.
Go with this ecological disinfectant cleaner to disinfect in a responsible way toward the environment! EKO-QUAT is a wise, sensible and versatile product that meets many standards! This disinfectant is as effective as non-ecological disinfectants based on the same technology.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, demands for electrostatic sprayers have exploded as an efficient way to disinfect key touch points and ensure environmental safety. While effective on a wide range of surfaces, it is important for cleaning teams to understand how it works, the cost considerations and the best facilities for using it. Therfore, this is a free translation of Cleanlink‘s article, What to know about electrostatic spraying.
What’s electrostatic disinfection
Electrostatic spraying or disinfection is the process of spraying an electrostatically charged mist onto surfaces and objects.
The electrostatic sprayer is electrically charged, allowing the specialized solution and disinfectants to envelop and evenly coat all types of surfaces. Designed to kill germs, bacteria and various types of viruses. It is a safe, fast, effective and non-contact application to limit the risk of cross-contamination.
How does it work?
Electrostatic sprayers use positively charged atomized particles to electromagnetically adhere disinfectant chemicals to negative target surfaces.
They use an electrode inside the sprayer to atomize the cleaning solution. The particles emerge from the nozzle as a spray that clings to any contact points it can find.
For example, no matter what angle it is used for surfaces disinfection, the droplets created by the electrostatic sprayer cause the disinfectant to cling to areas such as chairs, under tables or desks.
Although it is easy to apply, well-trained personnel is essential to ensure that the application process is optimal and safe for the staff.
What are the costs?
The cost generally depends on the type of facility as well as the size of the area to be treated.
In the long-term, electrostatic disinfection protects businesses from costly financial issues associated with contagious healthcare infections. It also reduces the costs associated with providing effective disinfectant solutions.
What types of properties are best suited for electrostatic disinfection?
This process is perfect for a variety of property types, including office buildings, healthcare facilities, shopping centers, industrial parks, condominiums, educational facilities, and government and hospitality projects. It also reaches a vast number of areas that highly covered by bacteria, otherwise difficult to access with standard cleaning methods by applying a uniform, solid coating to all surfaces.
Electrostatic disinfection is widely used in healthcare facilities as a safe and effective process in viral infection control programs, providing non-contact cleaning, thereby limiting the spread of bacteria.
Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter are now over. Most of you have already seen video footage of the robots that cook foods, mix drinks and serve in order to avoid contamination. But have you seen the disinfection devices the staff use to disinfect most areas and objects? It’s quite futuristic, but the future is now.
For a rare occasion, we would like to interrupt the serious subject of disinfection since we usually ramble about that! During this cold winter that we’re having, let’s bring up a new and hot subject called Lalema Express! And so, it is our brand new transactional website for local supply of sanitary & self-service amenities. It was officially launched in August 2021, during Covid-19 time.
Lalema Express is…
– Efficient, simple, user-friendly and local
Designed for everyone, you can find what you need in just a few clicks!
– Trend products
Like any good website, Lalema express makes sure to have products that are up to date to the latest news!
This transactional website offers flexibility in payment options. No need to create a new transactional account or get a new credit card if you already have one of the payment options below.
When we talk about disinfection, we talk about the prevention and control of infection in the environment. Therefore, equipment used for respiratory therapy is considered semi-critical. The equipment must then be cleaned and disinfected properly between patients. The WHO gives us the proper maintenance of respiratory equipment in procedures to follow. The procedures are checklists in steps of a cycle. Let’s explore all the summarized steps up to the cycle finish. And yes, the cleaning step is before the disinfection step!
The external device surfaces must be wiped with a damp cloth or disposable wipe that is soaked in detergent and clean water. Then, remaining detergent residue must be wiped off with a dry lint-free cloth. A mechanical action (scrubbing/brushing) should be used to remove visible dirt deposits and calcifications.
4. Disinfect
4a. Physical disinfection – Heat for heat resistant equipement (steam/hot-water)
A high-level of physical disinfection can be achieved with steam (e.g. autoclaving at lower temperature) or hot-water at least 121°C. This is an inexpensive and effective method for sterilization or high-level disinfection.
4b. Chemical disinfection for plastic plus other parts that can be damaged by heat
b) If the disinfection needs to be with chemicals solutions, it should be performed in a well-ventilated area and away from patients. Use a disposable wipe or a fresh cloth that is soaked in a compatible disinfectant. Hydrogen peroxide 0.5% or ethanol 70-90%. Wipe from top to bottom and avoid contact with electrical connectors.
5. Dry equipment / Rinse equipment
a) Physical equipment often has a drying feature within the machine (e.g. washer, pasteurizer or autoclave). Following pasteurization, the wet equipment is typically dried in a hot-air drying cabinet or air-dried. Make sure to carefully inspect and ensure that no water is left in the equipment.
b) If a chemical solution was used for disinfection, rinse the equipment with sterile or clean water (i.e. water boiled for 5 mins and cooled down). It is preferred to use sterile water for rinsing off residual liquid chemical disinfectant from the respiratory device.
6. Store equipment in closed packages
Last step. Title says it all.
This was a summary of the Care, cleaning and disinfection of respiratory equipment in sterile services department’s article by World Health Organization.
This article is a free translation of WHO’s article.
Source: World Health Organization – https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/care-cleaning-and-disinfection-of-respiratory-equipment-in-sterile-services-department – https://www.who.int/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/care-cleaning-disinfection-of-respiratory-equipment.tmb-479v.png?sfvrsn=14530f0b_1
Building managers are learning a lot about hidden pathogens with new 3D imaging technologies now available in North America. They are learning especially a lot in healthcare, education sectors and foodservice industry.
Essentially, these systems create a map which indicates the locations and amounts of pathogens on a surface. According to a press release from the infection prevention technology company, Optisolve, what has evolved in this learning is the “3Ds” of cleaning in order to help prevent the spread of infections.
IMAGES IN 3D
The 3D images refer to the three key challenges that building managers should manage to help ensure that building users stay healthy, says Optisolve CEO Brad Evans.
According to Evans, 3Ds refer to the following:
DETECT
The first step in keeping users healthy is to locate health-threatening pathogens in the building.
DISINFECT
Once located, these surfaces must first be cleaned and then disinfected.
“As with ATP monitors, imaging technologies cannot determine what pathogens are present,” says Evans. “As a result, ‘broad range’ or ‘broad spectrum’ disinfectants that kill a variety of pathogens should always be used.”
DISCUSS
For example, if pathogens are located on one window ledge, this information must be discussed and shared with administrators and all cleaning professionals in the facility.
“Unfortunately, when imaging technologies point out a potentially contaminated surface, administrators and cleaning professionals often believe the problem is confined to that specific area” says Evans. “In many cases, however, if one specific area is contaminated, we find the same problem in similar areas throughout the facility.”
When it comes to cleanliness, some people are mixing technical terms leading to ambiguity. It is like mixing chemicals together: That is not a good idea! To keep it simple, we’ll just give a real definition.
Deteriorated surfaces definition
A deteriorated surface shows wear off sign often caused by time or misuse.
Deterioration is one of three elements of impairment of property, the others being functional obsolescence (or obsolescence) and economic obsolescence.
Safe surfaces definition
Safe surface means that it is safe to health. Such surface is healthy or good for health often because of risk management. In the food industry, this is why we often refer to it as food safety. Safe is also synonymous to hygienic !
Disinfected surfaces definition
Disinfection is a voluntary momentary removal operation of certain bacteria (if it comes to “all germs” we refer more to sterilization), so as to stop or prevent infection or the risk of infection or superinfection by pathogenic or undesirable microorganisms or viruses.
For example:
To sanitize a surface eliminates 99.9% of microorganisms (This is a 1,000 X reduction)
To disinfect a surface removes 99.999% of microorganisms (This is a 100,000 X reduction)
To sterilize a surface or instrument removes 99.9999% of microorganisms (This is a 1,000,000 X reduction)
Obviously, “momentarily” is a key fator because the surface will be contaminated again as soon a a contaminant will enter in contact with the it. That’s why some disinfectants have a residual effect that prolongs the action of disinfectant for a certain time.
To learn more
Visit l’Academy Lalema for a whole lot of online training in sanitation and surface disenfection..
COVID-19 generated hygiene and sanitation costs of $ 12,604.22 per hospitalization in 2020-2021.
A BIG THANK-YOU
Great good for us, because all this work in hygiene and sanitation, with working conditions not always easy, is an integral part of our health system. It’s a whole.
Thank you for this great job to all the teams who have worked and who are still working hard to keep the spaces clean and well disinfected in our healthcare facilities.
2020-2021 FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
According to public financial data issued by the Ministry of Health and Social Services, between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021, assuming a “normal” increase of 6% based on the 3 previous years, the extraordinary costs associated with hygiene and sanitation increased by + 49%. As this unpredictable surplus was not budgeted a priori, it was considered non-recurring and was entered as an “adjustment” in the vast majority of health establishments.
The main if not the only reason for this discrepancy is of course the surpluses required from the hygiene and sanitation teams due to COVID-19, but also the costs generated by the numerous ex situ screening and vaccination clinics.
2020-2021 HOSPITALIZATION ANALYSIS DUE TO COVID-19
According to INSPQ data, between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021, there were 20,628 hospital admissions. Of this number 17,262 hospitalizations are said to be outside intensive care and 3,366 hospitalizations are in intensive care.
COSTS GENERATED BY COVID-19 IN HYGIENE AND HEALTH
So in 2020-2021, we can estimate that the budget surpluses are in the order of $ 260 million. A lot of money you will tell me? Yes and no. We are talking about an addition of about 3,000 hygiene and sanitation workers who cover a total area of over 8.3 million square meters! This surplus is distributed as follows:
COST OF HYGIENE AND SANITATION PER HOSPITALIZATION IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
By taking the budget surplus ($ 260M) by hospitalizations (20,628), we arrive at the sum of $ 12,604.22. Of course, this figure includes all direct and indirect expenses related to hygiene and sanitation such as supervision, maintenance of public places, cleaning and disinfection of places associated with prevention such as screening and vaccination sites. .
How can proper work organization contribute to the cleanliness of a hospital? How to be in the right place with the right equipment? Here are the questions we are going to answer in this post of the Cleaning in Hospitals series.
Evaluation of production needs
First, we need to assess the needs in hygiene and cleanliness. In order to do this, a standard evaluation is preferable but it needs to be adjusted based on the type of place, units, and traffic.
It is during the evaluation of needs that the hygiene and cleanliness estimate (see Cleaning in Hospitals part 2) is going to be determined. All daily, weekly, monthly, and annual tasks have to be considered.
Usually, the results are presented by production yields (square meters/hour) or FTE (Full Time Equivalent).
How to reduce time waste
How to measure productivity in a context where an important aspect of the task is moving? Actually, hygiene and cleanliness departments are almost always in the basement, whereas most of their work happens on the floors!
We increase productivity by reducing traveling.
It is for this reason that the cleaning cart needs to be as complete as possible and the water sources or janitor’s closets well stocked with supplies (i.e.: paper products or waste bags), equipment, and sanitary products. Moreover, it is important to remember that a good entrance carpet can greatly reduce dirt.
Have a successful day!
Here are a few hints on how to have a successful day:
Establish a sequence of actions to perform in a day/week/month
Define a sequential order of rooms
Integrate linked and periodical tasks (monthly)
Make sure to have time gaps to focus on periodical tasks (dusting of high surfaces, polishing, etc.)
Minimize traveling
Work by space and not by task
Distribute tasks equitably
One look is worth a thousand words: choose a colorful plan together with some graphics instead of a list of tasks on a word file!
This is all for this series of posts on Cleaning in Hospitals! Don’t forget that we’re always here to help, don’t hesitate to book an appointment by calling 514.645.2753 or subscribe to one of our training seminars. I really hope that you liked this serie of posts!
References: Hygiène et salubrité en milieux de soins – Démarche pour le développement de stratégies d’entretien des surfaces, MSSS, 2010, 52 pages.
The hygiene and cleanliness staff represents a key element in the fight against infections in hospital environments. Often little valued, their role in the global strategy of surface cleaning is extremely important.
The hygiene that comes from the work of the cleaning staff requires a high performance level. In order to reach that, the executing staff and the managers need to master all the different elements representing this profession.
Cleaning products and equipment are undeniably crucial in order to ensure performance during the environment asepsis of any establishment. Therefore, it is important to associate the day-to-day actions of the cleaning staff with a range of products and equipment that favor the quality of their performance.
Since several years, partly due to the devotion and the involvement of many members in the healthcare system, we take into consideration new factors:
Provincial training
Establishment of an AEP hygiene and cleanliness in healthcare environments of 630 hours now offered by many school boards
Provincial day of hygiene and cleanliness
Etc.
Having said this, the hygiene and cleanliness staff deserves our deepest gratitude. Thank you so much!
The next post is going to talk more in detail about one aspect of their profession: work organization.
Don’t miss any posts about this series, subscribe to this blog!
References:
Hygiène et salubrité en milieux de soins – Démarche pour le développement de stratégies d’entretien des surfaces, MSSS, 2010, 52 pages.
Cleaning in hospitals allows reducing risks of infection among patients. This is not the only factor, of course: good personal hygiene habits such as washing hands and the use of protective equipment such as overalls, gloves, masks, or protective glasses are also important elements.
For this reason, interventions must be well coordinated in order to have a good surface maintenance plan. The manager of hygiene and cleanliness should therefore take into account:
The type of place associated to the level of risk
The tasks to perform
The required cleaning frequency
If well applied, a detailed estimate allows validating the cleaning performance.
The global approach is going to be determined by type of place:
Regular eradication (e.g.: operating rooms)
Keeping environmental effects as light as possible (e.g.: low infection risk such as individual office spaces)
Balance of microorganisms. This approach is based on the competition between good and bad microbes. The presence of good microbes guarantees less space for bad microbes to grow (e.g.: living environments)
Green cleaning. Approach that uses less toxic products
Review and improve arrangements and/or surfaces (during conception or renovation)
The next post of this series is going to talk about another key factor: the hygiene and cleanliness staff.
References:
Le nettoyage dans les hôpitaux du 21e siècle by Dr. Stephanie J. Dancer, Medical, Microbiology, Hairmyres Hospital, UK appeared on the magazine Le Nettoyage professionnel, July/August 2012.
Hygiène et salubrité en milieux de soins – Démarche pour le développement de stratégies d’entretien des surfaces, MSSS, 2010, 52 pages.
For a long time, cleaning has been all about the look; fresh smell and the absence of stains or dirt were the criteria to determine that a place is clean. Today, these criteria are still generally accepted in environments such as offices and classrooms.
It’s common knowledge, however, that microbes (bacteria or viruses) invisible to the human eye represent a risk for spreading infections. Take the example of the influenza virus: it can survive for up to 48 hours on a hard surface!
Without cleaning and disinfection procedures or a quality check procedure, microbes can survive in hospital environments.
Three key elements have to be considered in order to perform an infective risk analysis:
Is the patient carrying a disease agent? Disease agents are classified based on their spreading capacity and their virulence. The choice of a disinfectant will be based on this.
Do the functional activities of a sector represent a risk of spreading infections from the environment? E.g.: food service, offices, Intensive Care, etc.
The intensity of contact is related to the traffic and the surfaces that are more likely to be touched. E.g.: bathroom fittings.
Have you already performed an infective risk analysis? The next post is going to explain how cleaning allows reducing risks of infection among patients.
Don’t miss any posts about this series, subscribe to this blog! You just need to write your e-mail address, it’s that easy!
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References:
Le nettoyage dans les hôpitaux du 21e siècle by Dr. Stephanie J. Dancer, Medical, Microbiology, Hairmyres Hospital, UK appeared on the magazine Le Nettoyage professionnel, July/August 2012.
Hygiène et salubrité en milieux de soins – Démarche pour le développement de stratégies d’entretien des surfaces, MSSS, 2010, 52 pages.
Bleach has been studied for the first time by a French chemist named Claude Louis Berthollet in 1775. His factory was based in Paris in the district of… Javel! That is why the French are calling it: Eau de Javel (Javel Water).
JAVEL Undergroud Station in Paris. Photo courtesy of Google Street View
At first, bleach was used for laundry and as a fade. From 1820, a pharmacist named Antoine Germain Labarraque studied more deeply its disinfecting properties . In the XIX Century, it was commonly used as a disinfectant and water treatment. The NASA used bleach during the Apollo program to disinfect the Apollo XI rocket after its return, in order to avoid contaminating Earth with potential dangerous viruses!
What is Bleach?
Bleach is composed of sodium hypochlorite (NaClO). For chemistry fans, its chemical formula is as follows:
Cl2 + 2 NaOH → NaCl + NaClO + H2O.
For those who don’t like chemistry, well… the formula is the same!
What’s new with Bleach?
Nowadays, bleach is still used as a disinfectant. Stabilized formulas enable to combine the disinfecting ability of chlorine together with the cleaning ability of surfactants.
Other references: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bleach
We have cleaning solution for you
Visit our web site at www.lalema.com. You will find what you need to distinfect with sodium hypochlorite solution. We are also he owner of Certiklor Technology
How to obtain a more effective disinfection with Certiklör?
What is Certiklör? The name of a new chemical? A new government certification?
None of the above! Simply put, Certiklör technology is the insurance for you, your patients and all Canadians to achieve a better, more efficient and high quality disinfection. Certiklör is a proprietary technology developed by Lalema for you. This technology ensures that you have in the bottle, an effective stabilized hypochlorite, and here to stay!
How to safely perform cleaning and disinfection a surface soiled with bodily fluid and dispose of waste properly?
Here is some of the content from my exclusive training on Infection Prevention and Control in the Presence of Body Fluids. This training (in French with English documentation), presented in the form of short video clips (nearly forty), lasts approximately 2 hours and covers several exclusive and relevant content for hygiene and sanitation workers.
OVERVIEW OF THE CONTENT OF A TRAINING ON DISINFECTION TECHNIQUES
The main microbes to which sanitary maintenance workers can be exposed, the associated risks and the means of transmission
Basic concepts in sanitary maintenance for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
The different body fluids (body fluids) and the associated risk factors
Products and accessories for cleaning and disinfection
Personal protective equipment
Cleaning and disinfection techniques including hand washing.
THE MAIN MICROBES TO WHICH HEALTH MAINTENANCE WORKERS MAY BE EXPOSED, THE ASSOCIATED RISKS AND THE MEANS OF TRANSMISSION
Microbes
Viruses or bacteria
Reproduction of bacteria
Survival of bacteria on surfaces
Infectious risk
Transmission of infections
Virus or bacteria
BASIC CONCEPTS IN SANITARY MAINTENANCE FOR THE CLEANING AND DISINFECTIONS OF SURFACES
Basics
Sinner’s Circle
Wetting power
Micelles
Foaming power
PH scale
Eradication of microbes
Contact time
DIN
Types of disinfectants
Why dilute a product
Always read the manual
7 ways to make maintenance safer
THE DIFFERENT BODY FLUIDS (BIOLOGICAL LIQUIDS) AND THE ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS
Body fluids and associated risks
Body fluids (body fluids)
Risk factors
PRODUCTS AND ACCESSORIES FOR CLEANING AND DISINFECTION
Produits et accessoires
Trousse de matériel
LES ÉQUIPEMENTS DE PROTECTION INDIVIDUELLE
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Hand hygiene
Dressing procedure
Undressing procedure
Practical advice
Wearing the mask
CLEANING AND DISINFECTION TECHNIQUES
Cleaning and disinfection steps
Steps to follow
Cleaning and disinfection procedure
Waste management
What is biomedical waste
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
A training cannot be complete without a formal evaluation! This is why we offer each participant a quiz of 10 questions before issuing a superb attestation!
Cleaning and disinfection have long been routine in any facility. Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted these operations since SARS-CoV-2 can persist on various surface materials for hours or days. Facilities have sought to improve these cleaning and disinfection practices. Therefore, it is imperative that this process be orderly. Therefore, this article addresses the importance of cleaning before disinfecting. Cleaning and disinfection should be a 2-step process to reduce the risk of transmission of environmental infections.
Clean first! Why?
Primum nitidare – “D’abord nettoyer (Clean First)”. It is a book that my coworker, Gaétan Lanthier, wrote in 2019. It is to say that this is not a new subject!
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cites: “cleaning is “the necessary first step of any sterilization or disinfection process” or, more simply, you must clean first before you can disinfect.”
The CDC adds: “Cleaning is the necessary first step of any sterilization or disinfection process. Cleaning is a form of decontamination that renders the environmental surface safe to handle or use by removing organic matters, salts, and visible soils, all of which interfere with microbial inactivation.”
It’s in the mechanical action (friction)
As the CDC mentions it: “The physical action of scrubbing with detergents and surfactants and rinsing with water removes large numbers of microorganisms from surfaces.”
Studies have shown that friction or mechanical action is at the heart of cleaning. This facilitates the effective removal of dirt, debris, microbes and soiling, making a surface ready for disinfection if necessary.
It’s a matter of interference
The CDC defines cleaning as the “necessary first step” in any disinfection process for “at least two” important reasons: it removes any barrier between the disinfectant and the target pathogen, and it removes materials that could potentially inactivate the disinfectant.
In order to effectively kill pathogens, disinfectant chemicals must have direct contact with the pathogen; however, soils, dirt, and debris can coat or protect microorganisms, essentially serving as a protective barrier between the chemical and the target.
The build-up to biofiolms
Another important reason to clean first before disinfecting has less to do with the immediate action of a disinfectant on a surface. Rather, it is in prevention of a future problem, namely the buildup to biofilms.
Biofilms are populations of microorganisms attached to a solid surface and protected by a “viscous layer”. This layer is an extracellular matrix of polysaccharides and non-cellular materials.
Biofilms can virtually form on any hard surface, from the countertop to the water pipe. They are involved in a range of infectious diseases.
What about touch-free technology?
Although research has shown that many of these systems, from ultraviolet light (UV-C) to hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) to electrostatic sprayers, can reduce microbial contamination, experts caution that they should be used as a complement to standard manual cleaning and disinfection rather than as a replacement.
Organic matters, dirt and grimes are a limiting factor for UV-C technology. A light or heavy organic load has a significant negative impact on the destructive efficiency of the devices.
In short, clean first with mechanical action (friction) to remove dirt, debris and microbes. The disinfection step is to be done when the interferences are removed by cleaning in order to kill microbes. This reduces the risk of transmission of environmental infections by keeping surfaces clean.
Loose translation of Rubbermaid TWO STEPS FOR A REASON: THE CASE FOR CLEANING PRIOR TO DISINFECTION https://www.rubbermaidcommercial.com/resource-center/1b113258af3968aaf3969ca67e744ff8/The_Case_for_Cleaning_Prior_to_Disinfection_White_Paper/
Disinfection using disinfectant cleaners with active ingredients including alcohol and quaternary ammonium has often been discussed. Another disinfection solution is to disinfect with steam and pressure. Cleaning with the power of steam is a proven method of disinfection. Dry saturated steam at high temperatures kills viruses, bacteria, germs and bedbugs! It is an environmentally friendly and practical way to clean all kinds of surfaces.
THE POWER OF STEAM
The power of steam is to dissolve and emulsify grease, mold, dirt by vaporizing and killing viruses, bacteria and germs.
WHAT ABOUT SARS-CoV-2?
Despite that the power of steam kills viruses, bacteria and germs, opinions vary and there may be a lack of evidence that it can kill SARS-CoV-2 virus. The list of approved disinfectants put out by The Environmental Protection Agency only includes chemicals.
Patty Olinger, the executive director of the Global Biorisk Advisory Council, a division of ISSA (a cleaning industry trade association), said that, based on current evidence, while steam can kill the virus, it needs a lengthier application time than some users may realize.
On the other hand, Heidi Wilcox, a microbiologist and commercial cleaning consultant, says that: “At this point during the pandemic I would not use steam at all.” She cites a lack of strong evidence.
Then again, industry representatives such as Wayne Delfino from Advanced Vapor Technologies of Everett, Washington, insist that dry steam vapor works. The company’s non-chemical, “Thermo Accelerated Nano Crystal Sanitation” technology, he wrote in an email, “has been tested and proven effective on harder-to-kill viruses and on a similar human coronavirus in seven seconds or less.”
SURFACES TO CLEAN
Steam cleaners can clean and disinfect all kinds of surfaces. With the right tools, they can concentrate the jets to properly clean specific surfaces and hard-to-reach areas. Here are some examples:
Clothing
Mirrors
Seals (e.g. ceramic)
Mattresses and bedding
Stainless steel
Floors
Grids and hoods
ECOLOGICAL
Steam machines are said to be environmentally friendly because they require no chemicals. Only water is needed to steam disinfect and clean thoroughly.
NEED STEAMER MACHINES?
Power Steamer Machine JS 1600C
The power of steam from JS1600C attacks grease, grime, hard water deposits and mold. It leaves surfaces clean and sanitized without the use of chemicals. Operator safety is assured by the 12V waterproof switches and controls, a pressure switch, a high-limit thermal shutoff and an LED display informing the operator when the water level is low. The Energy saving safety system also automatically shuts off the machine if it’s idle for 60 minutes.
The tank can be filled while the unit is running, allowing for continuous use
Excellent on grouted floors, showers, kitchens and any area where detail cleaning is a challenge
Very effective in all food preparation and processing areas, including stainless steel range hoods in kitchens
Ideal for hotel rooms – spot draperies, bedspreads and carpets, and even kill bed bugs and their eggs on mattresses
Clean floors with the optional “steam mop” and 33′ hose
The continuous flow system provides the necessary steam to remove dirt and built-up soil while leaving your floors and surfaces virtually dry
Ecological Vapor with Vacuum A2006
The Vapore A2006 acts as two machines in one unit. The vapor not only dissolves dirt and grime, but is scientifically certified to disinfect any surface, thoroughly eliminating bacteria and viruses in an ecological way without use of chemicals.
With the water filtration system of the vacuum, Vapore A2006 collects dirt and traps it in the water without the risk of spreading dust
Vapore A2006 also has a HEPA filtration system to ensure the cleanliness of the air is not compromised
Equipped with a cold water reservoir, the Vapore A2006 has a continuous fill feature which allows you to refill the vapor system with water at any time, without stopping
The machine comes with a variety of floor accessory and tools
There’s no proof that the power of steam can kill SARS-CoV-2, but the virus is known to be sensitive to the exposure of high-temperature. Could it be a question of exposure length or a question of chemicals? However, the power of steam can be useful for general disinfection.
We have seen that healthcare is starting to shift towards digitization, and many believe that the future of healthcare will be digital. But there are some who are hesitant to adopt technology when it comes to their health, and it is not without reason.
As we have already seen, there are many benefits to the digitization of healthcare, the main ones being (1) convenience, (2) low-cost, (3) improved patient experiences, (4) improved access to healthcare and (5) decreased risks of acquiring an HAI. These benefits are all significant, but how will it affect the people who aren’t as familiar with technology or aren’t as tech-savvy’s access to healthcare?
A recent article published by Forbes discusses the difficulties that people trying to access online health services may face. According to the article, many online healthcare platforms are needlessly complicated and confusing, which makes many people more hesitant and less inclined to use these services.
According to Dale Cook, CEO of Learn to Live, an online mental health company,
“When people are already struggling with mental fitness, it can create limitations in how much bandwidth they have for complications. Facing technical problems when they’re trying to get help is the last distraction that they need.”
Dale Cook, Retrieved from Forbes.com (2019)
Learn to Live is one of the few online healthcare services that has been successful in creating an easy-to-use digital interface. They have done a lot of primary research, through the use of focus groups, user experiences and commentaries, which has allowed them to ensure that their clients have a pleasant experience.
So what can be done to make digital healthcare more accessible to all?
Burger (2019) stresses the importance of simplicity and empathy when designing an online medical service.
With the majority of developed nations experiencing an ageing population, those who are 70 and over will continue to be the group of people who consult doctors the most frequently. One concern is that the older population is not tech-savvy, and will not be able to use these online services. However, most of these people are able to use technology; online platforms just need to simplified for them to use.
In terms of empathy, the article discusses how online medical companies need to attempt to understand what their clientele is experiencing. For example, Jeff Johnson, a computer science professor from the University of San Francisco states,
“We see age-related changes beginning at age 50. That’s when fonts become too small, speech-enabled technologies are too fast and click targets are too little to hit reliably.”
Jeff Johnson, Retrieved from Forbes.com
Online health service companies need to understand that the clients seeking their help are either not well or concerned about their personal health. Taking this into consideration, it is essential that companies make their online interfaces more accessible for their clients.
The future of digital healthcare
As digital healthcare continues to become more important, it will be essential that these online health companies ensure that their services are simple for users, and that they take into consideration what patients may be going through when seeking their services.
