Author: Gaétan Lanthier

Nosocomial infections: improving hospital hygiene to effectively reduce risks

Gaétan Lanthier
A hospitle isle that is being clean by following a guide to improve the hospital hygiene to effectively reduce risk of noscomial infections.

Nosocomial infections, acquired in healthcare settings, pose a major challenge to the global health system. They not only affect patient health but also increase medical costs and prolong hospital stays. This article explores key measures to improve hospital hygiene and effectively reduce nosocomial infections.

Understanding nosocomial infections

What is a nosocomial infection?

A nosocomial infection is an infection acquired by a patient during their stay in a hospital or another healthcare facility, which was neither present nor incubating at the time of admission.

Risk factors

  1. Weakened immune systems: Vulnerable patients are more likely to contract infections.
  2. Invasive procedures: Catheters, probes, and surgical interventions increase the risk.
  3. Antibiotic resistance: Overuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of resistant bacteria.

Measures to strengthen hospital hygiene

Hand hygiene

  1. Proper technique: Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  2. Disinfection: Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers as a supplement to handwashing.
  3. Key moments: Before and after patient contact, before aseptic procedures, and after exposure to bodily fluids.

Sterilization and disinfection of equipment

  1. Sterilization: Use autoclaves to sterilize surgical instruments.
  2. Disinfection: Clean non-invasive equipment with approved disinfectants.
  3. Quality control: Perform regular tests to ensure the effectiveness of sterilization processes.

Cleaning of surfaces and environment

  1. Scheduling: Establish a regular cleaning schedule for all areas.
  2. Appropriate Products: Use effective detergents and disinfectants against hospital pathogens.
  3. Staff Training: Train cleaning staff in techniques specific to healthcare environments.

Air quality control

  1. Filtration systems: Install HEPA filters in critical areas such as operating rooms.
  2. Positive/Negative air pressure: Use controlled pressure rooms to prevent the spread of infectious agents.

Medical waste management

  1. Waste Separation: Classify waste based on its hazard level.
  2. Safe Disposal: Use appropriate containers for sharps and biological waste.
  3. Regulation Compliance: Adhere to local and national laws on medical waste management.

Staff training and awareness

  1. Educational Programs: Provide continuous training on hygiene protocols and infection prevention.
  2. Safety Culture: Encourage a proactive attitude towards infection prevention.
  3. Individual Responsibility: Ensure each staff member understands their role in maintaining a safe environment.

Involvement of patients and visitors

  1. Education: Inform patients about the hygiene measures they can take.
  2. Visitor Policies: Limit visits during outbreaks and provide clear instructions on hygiene practices.

Infection surveillance and management

  1. Surveillance system: Collect data on infections to identify trends.
  2. Incident analysis: Investigate nosocomial infection cases to determine causes and prevent recurrence.
  3. Infection control committees: Create multidisciplinary teams to coordinate efforts.

Conclusion

Reducing nosocomial infections is a priority to invest in patient safety and the efficiency of healthcare. By strengthening hospital hygiene practices, training staff, and involving all stakeholders, it is possible to significantly decrease infection rates. These efforts contribute not only to patient health but also to increased trust in the healthcare system.

Cleaning sensitive surfaces: best practices for effective and safe maintenance

Gaétan Lanthier
A modern laboratory with a man in scientific dress is cleaning sensitive surfaces while maintaning the best practices for effective and safe maintenance.

Sensitive surfaces, such as electronic equipment, delicate materials, or sterile areas, require special attention during cleaning. Improper handling can lead to material damage or health risks. This article presents the best practices to ensure effective and safe cleaning of these surfaces.

Identifying sensitive surfaces

  1. Electronic equipment: Computers, phones, touch screens.
  2. Delicate materials: Untreated wood, special fabrics, artworks.
  3. Sterile areas: Laboratories, clean rooms, medical facilities.

General cleaning principles

  1. Use the right products: Choose cleaning agents that won’t damage the surface.
  2. Gentle methods: Avoid excessive scrubbing or abrasive tools.
  3. Safety first: Wear gloves and, if necessary, personal protective equipment.

Cleaning electronic equipment

  1. Unplugging: Always unplug devices before cleaning them.
  2. Suitable products: Use wipes designed for electronics or a lightly dampened soft cloth.
  3. Avoid excessive moisture: Never spray liquid directly on the device.

Caring for delicate materials

  1. Pre-test: Test the cleaning product on a small, inconspicuous area first.
  2. Natural products: Opt for mild cleaners like neutral soap.
  3. Specific techniques: Follow the grain when cleaning wood; refer to care instructions for fabrics.

Maintaining sterile areas

  1. Strict protocols: Follow established procedures to avoid contamination.
  2. Appropriate disinfectants: Use disinfectants approved for sterile environments.
  3. Staff training: Ensure all employees are trained in specific cleaning techniques.

Avoiding common mistakes

  1. Don’t mix products: Some mixtures can be dangerous or ineffective.
  2. Avoid inappropriate tools: Abrasive sponges or hard brushes can scratch or damage surfaces.
  3. Proper dosage: Use the recommended amount of product to avoid residue.

Storing and handling cleaning products

  1. Proper storage: Keep products in their original packaging with labels visible.
  2. Safety: Store products out of reach of unauthorized personnel.
  3. Responsible disposal: Dispose of expired or unusable products according to local regulations.

Conclusion

Cleaning sensitive surfaces requires an informed and delicate approach. By following best practices and using appropriate products, you can ensure the longevity of equipment and the safety of the work environment.

Preventing epidemics in the workplace: Effective measures for a healthy environment

Gaétan Lanthier
A modern workplace is very crowded with people. The employees have masks and gloves. They are cleaning the desk with product for disinfection to prevent epidemics.

Epidemics can have a devastating impact on businesses, affecting employee health and disrupting operations. Therefore, preventing their spread in the workplace is crucial. This article presents effective measures to protect your staff and maintain a healthy work environment.

Promoting personal hygiene

First, you should promote personal hygiene among employees.

  • Frequent handwashing: Install handwashing stations and hand sanitizer dispensers.
  • Respiratory etiquette: Encourage covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing.
  • Education: Raise awareness about good hygiene practices.

Maintaining a clean environment

Next, focus on maintaining a clean environment in the workplace.

  • Regular cleaning: Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, keyboards, and phones.
  • Adequate ventilation: Ensure proper air circulation to reduce airborne pathogens.
  • Waste management: Quickly dispose of potentially contaminated waste.

Implementing workplace health policies

Additionally, implement effective workplace health policies.

  • Sick leave: Encourage your sick employees to stay home for the sake of their health and your other employees.
  • Telecommuting: Facilitate remote work whenever possible.
  • Medical monitoring: Conduct regular health checks.

Ensuring transparent communication in time of epidemics

Furthermore, ensure transparent communication with your staff.

  • Updated information: Provide regular updates on epidemics and measures taken.
  • Open channels: Allow employees to ask questions and express concerns.

Training staff for epidemics situations

Moreover, you should train your staff to handle epidemic situations.

  • Emergency preparedness: Train them on protocols in case of an epidemic.
  • Use of PPE: Teach the correct usage of personal protective equipment.

Collaborating with health authorities to prevent epidemics

Finally, collaborate with health authorities to ensure compliance and safety.

  • Compliance: Follow all the guidelines from health organizations.
  • Reporting: Inform authorities in case of confirmed cases within the company.

Conclusion

Preventing epidemics in the workplace is a collective responsibility. By implementing proactive strategies, businesses can protect employee health and ensure operational continuity. Companies that adhered to primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention levels according to the WHO were less affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Disinfection: a guide to find the proper product for your company

Gaétan Lanthier
A modern office where a man is inspection the type of disinfectant in front of him. The disinfection is a priority for this office.

Choosing the right disinfectant: A comprehensive guide

Selecting the appropriate disinfectant is crucial for maintaining a healthy and safe environment. With so many products available, it can be challenging to determine which one is best suited for your business. This guide will help you identify the essential criteria to make the right choice.

Identifying the disinfection specific needs

First, you need to identify the specific needs of your environment.

  1. Type of contaminants: Understand the microorganisms you need to target, such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
  2. Surfaces to be treated: Consider the materials involved, including sensitive areas, food zones, and electronic equipment.
  3. Frequency of use: Decide if the disinfectant will be used daily, weekly, or occasionally.

Considering the effectiveness of disinfection

Next, evaluate the effectiveness of the disinfectant.

  1. Spectrum of action: Choose broad-spectrum disinfectants that can tackle a wide range of microorganisms.
  2. Contact time: Select a product with an action time that matches your operational needs.
  3. Standards and certifications: Ensure the disinfectant meets regulatory approvals and ISO standards.

Evaluating safety and environmental impact

Now, focus on safety and environmental impact.

  1. Toxicity: Opt for products without harmful compounds to protect health.
  2. Biodegradability: Prefer eco-friendly disinfectants to minimize environmental harm.
  3. Compatibility: Confirm that the product does not damage surfaces or equipment.

Analyzing cost and availability for disinfection

Then, consider the cost and availability of the disinfectant.

  1. Price: Set a budget that accounts for the cost per use, not just the purchase price.
  2. Availability: Ensure a steady supply to avoid stockouts.
  3. Formulation: Choose between concentrates that need dilution or ready-to-use solutions.

Training Personnel on Use

It’s important to train your personnel on proper use.

  1. Clear instructions: Provide precise guidelines for applying disinfectant products.
  2. Protective equipment: Inform them about necessary PPE during use.
  3. Storage and handling: Teach best practices to prevent accidents.

Conclusion

Ultimately, selecting the right disinfectant requires a thorough analysis of your needs and careful consideration of product characteristics. Remember, disinfectants only kill germs and inactivate viruses if used according to the instructions. Making an informed choice will help ensure the health of your employees and the sustainability of your business.

The Intriguing History of Medieval Toilets: Unveiling the Garderobe

Gaétan Lanthier
toilets, garderobe

The Dawn of Garderobes: Early Medieval Restrooms

When one thinks of the Middle Ages, sanitation rarely comes to mind. However, the evolution of garderobes, the medieval restrooms, is a riveting slice of history. Far from the contemporary toilets we’re accustomed to, garderobes were dedicated hygiene spaces, built into castle walls.

The Strategic Design of Garderobes

Contrary to popular belief, these restrooms weren’t mere holes in the ground or basic outbuildings. The affluent had the luxury of using a garderobe, a small room abutting the castle walls. The term “garderobe” stems from the French “wardrobe,” referring to an astonishing practice: occupants would hang their clothing in this shaft to rid them of fleas, using the ammonia from urine.

Toilets with Multiple Roles

The design of these medieval restrooms harbored another purpose. Occasionally, daring soldiers would try infiltrating castles through garderobe shafts. Thus, these toilets turned out to be strategic defense points, but also vulnerable zones. History even records several renowned figures meeting their demise on the loo, ambushed from below.

Transitioning to Modernity

While the concept of flushing toilets might seem ancient, the first modern restroom wasn’t introduced until 1596 by Sir John Harrington. Despite this groundbreaking invention, it would take nearly another 250 years for the idea to gain widespread adoption.

Conclusion

Garderobes, testaments to medieval ingenuity, remind us that innovation isn’t a recent phenomenon. Whether for hygiene or defense strategy, these medieval toilets showcase the creativity of our ancestors. For creative, innovative and useful products, visit www.lalema.com

Keywords: Garderobe, medieval toilets, castles, Middle Ages, Sir John Harrington, modern restroom, history of toilets, medieval defense, Middle Ages sanitation.

Enhancing Cleaning Safety: Best Practices for a Safer Workplace

Gaétan Lanthier
cleaning safety - showcasing a pristine, well-lit room with cleaning equipment neatly arranged to one side. The room should evoke a sense of cleanliness and order.

Workplace safety is paramount, especially in sectors where the risk of injury is high. According to ASSTSAS, in the province of Quebec, falls and slips contribute to a staggering 18% of workers’ compensation costs. Alarmingly, this ranks as the third leading cause of workplace accidents in the health and social services sector, encompassing a wide range of job roles.

Understanding the Causes of Workplace Accidents

Before delving into solutions, it’s crucial to understand the root causes of these accidents. While falls and slips are significant contributors, several other factors play a role in workplace-related mishaps:

  1. Fall and Slide Accidents: These can be attributed to wet floors, uneven surfaces, or obstacles in pathways.
  2. Muscle Strains: Often a result of improper lifting techniques or excessive flexion, leading to back and muscle injuries.
  3. Chemical Exposures: Handling chemicals without proper precautions can result in eye and skin lesions.
  4. Respiratory Issues: Prolonged exposure to certain chemicals and equipment can adversely affect the respiratory system.
  5. Electrical and Biological Hazards: Accidental contact with live wires or exposure to biological hazards can have severe consequences.

Seven Proactive Measures to Enhance Cleaning Safety

To mitigate these risks, especially in cleaning tasks, consider the following seven steps:

  1. Regularly Review Work Methods: Periodically assess and update working methods and procedures to ensure they align with the best safety practices.
  2. Risk Assessment: Proactively identify and evaluate situations that pose risks. This includes lifting heavy loads, repetitive tasks, exposure to harmful chemicals, assessing air quality, and overall work organization.
  3. Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Recognize tasks that necessitate PPE. This can range from gloves and goggles to masks and protective sleeves.
  4. Opt for Non-slip Footwear: Especially crucial when working with floor finishes. Non-slip shoes can significantly reduce the risk of falls.
  5. Use Wet Floor Signs: Always use “wet floor” safety panels when cleaning floors. Ensure they are removed once the floor is dry to avoid confusion.
  6. Regular Equipment Inspection: Pay special attention to the electrical wiring of cleaning equipment. Avoid disconnecting devices by pulling on the wire.
  7. Handle Biological Hazards with Care: Treat any body fluid or blood as a potential biological hazard. Ensure you’re adequately trained before attempting any cleanup.

By integrating these steps into your cleaning procedures, you can create a safer environment for everyone involved. Remember, prevention is always better than cure.

Browse of full color catalog: Equipping oneself with quality safety gear is crucial for personal protection and the well-being of others. Our extensive range of safety equipment is designed to prevent accidents and safeguard employees’ health over time by reducing exposure to hazardous materials and tasks. Simple tools like gloves, masks, or protective goggles can make a profound difference!

New training in environmental cleaning for hospitals

Gaétan Lanthier
training

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.”

The Art of Hygiene and Sanitation: Key Elements and Challenges to Overcome

Gaétan Lanthier
sanitation

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.

5 Essential Components for Sanitary Maintenance

  1. A suitable range of products
  2. Quality equipment
  3. Knowledge of effective work techniques
  4. Mastery of products and equipment
  5. Structured work organization

5 Hindrances to Good Hygiene and Sanitation

  1. Deficient facilities: From storage space to flooring, an inadequate work environment can hamper productivity.
  2. Unsuitable work hours: Operating during peak times can diminish efficiency.
  3. Lackluster training: Knowledge gaps can lead to costly mistakes.
  4. Chaotic work organization: Without a clear work plan, both productivity and quality may suffer.
  5. 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!

From Ancient China to Modern Automatic Flush Toilets: The Evolution of Toilets

Gaétan Lanthier
flush toilets

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.

Source: https://www.geo.fr/histoire/il-y-a-2400-ans-on-tirait-deja-la-chasse-deau-en-chine-213651

AUTOMATIC FLUSH TOILETS

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.

Sanitary Maintenance: A Crucial Focus in 2023

Gaétan Lanthier
sanitary maintenance

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 losses​1​​2​.

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.

The Importance of Hygiene and Sanitation in Institutions and Industry: Optimizing Management with Dedicated Software

Gaétan Lanthier
management sanitek

Introduction

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.

Life in London in the 19th century

Gaétan Lanthier
Piccadilly Circus, London, England between 1890 and 1900
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

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How will hygiene and sanitation change in the next 20 years?

Gaétan Lanthier
hygiene and sanitation

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.

The Importance of Respecting the Recommended Dilution Rate for Cleaning Products in Healthcare Facilities

Gaétan Lanthier

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.

dilution rate table
Note: This article was created with an AI-assisted writing tool and fully reviewed and improved by a human.

Let’s talk about disinfection (once more)

Gaétan Lanthier

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.

Disinfection

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

  1. Produits et accessoires
  2. 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!

So, are you going to try?

How to properly clean reusable protective equipment

Gaétan Lanthier
Clean medical inhaler
Photo by Mockup Graphics on Unsplash

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!

Checklists for care, cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of respiratory devices

1. Perform hand hygiene

The title and image say it all

2. Don appropriate personal protective equipment

The personal protective equipment to be worn during the disinfectant preparation includes surgical mask/respirator, googles/face shield, long-sleeved fluid resistant gown/gown plus apron, rubber gloves and boots or closed work shoes.

3. Wash with detergent and rinse with clean water

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

What’s best? To clean or to disinfect?

Gaétan Lanthier

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.

surfaces-vetustes definition

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 !

corridor-hopital-lalema definition

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.

biofilm-1024x767 definition

To learn more

Visit l’Academy Lalema for a whole lot of online training in sanitation and surface disenfection..

Sources: Larousse, Wikipedia, Linternaute

Cleaning schedule

Gaétan Lanthier

I develop maintenance program for my clients and the question that comes up most often is:
“How often should I clean this or that?”

clean

How often should I clean this?

Here is a non-exhaustive list of 16 surfaces to clean regularly at home.

Item Frequency Tips
1. Cellular phone

 Daily Wipe with a microfiber glass cloth to remove any greasy substances and germs
2. Kitchen Counter

 Daily Use a mild all purpose cleaner. When using a disinfectant cleaner, rinse the surface.
3. Dishwasher

 Monthly Use specially designed capsules or a little bit of baking soda and vinegar and the trick is done.
4. Refrigerator

 Quarterly To avoid the appearance of mold and other undesirable contents, empty and clean the shelves and containers.
5. Kitchen floor

 Weekly Use a broom after each meal and a good damp mopping every week.
6. Carpets

 Weekly Vacuuming carpets every week will even reduce allergies. Remove the dog and the baby before to do so!
7. Furniture

 Monthly Vacuum furniture and fabrics every month and steam clean annually
8. Remote control or joystick

 Weekly Remove the batteries, clean the remote control surface by rubbing the buttons and gaps.
9. Ceiling fans

 Quarterly With an all purpose cleaner, wipe the blades. Do not forget to turn off the fan!
10. Window blinds

 Quarterly Dust and clean batten by batten with soapy water and a soft cloth.
11. Toilet

 Daily Brush daily and thoroughly clean once a week.
12. Towels

 After some use After the shower or the bath, hang to dry and use a few times (3 or 4 times), then machine wash. Note: If you have teenagers, this thing may not work!
13. Shower curtain

 Monthly Spray a bathroom cleaner to remove residual accumulated soaps and limescale.
14. Bed linen

 Weekly Wash in warm water to remove bacteria and mites. Avoid eating in your bed!
15. Mattress

 Biannual Vacuum the mattress twice a year to remove dead skin cells and mites.
16. Air filter

 Monthly Changing air filters every month or as recommended by the manufacturer contributes to a healthy environment.

We have the tools to clean

At Lalema, we serve a large industrial and institutional clientele with an online catalog of more than 18000 products ! Come and have a look!

www.lalema.com

 

Source :

inspired from http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/slideshow-how-often-clean-this.

Photos are owned by me or from various talended photographs via unsplash.com

GPT3: An AI generated blog post about disinfection

Gaétan Lanthier
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.

Now what?

Visit our disinfectant product category

Clean this or that? How often?

Gaétan Lanthier

I develop maintenance program for my clients and the question that comes up most often is:
“How often should I clean this or that?”

clean

How often should I clean this?

Here is a non-exhaustive list of 16 surfaces to clean regularly at home.

Item Frequency Tips
1. Cellular phone

 Daily Wipe with a microfiber glass cloth to remove any greasy substances and germs
2. Kitchen Counter

 Daily Use a mild all purpose cleaner. When using a disinfectant cleaner, rinse the surface.
3. Dishwasher

 Monthly Use specially designed capsules or a little bit of baking soda and vinegar and the trick is done.
4. Refrigerator

 Quarterly To avoid the appearance of mold and other undesirable contents, empty and clean the shelves and containers.
5. Kitchen floor

 Weekly Use a broom after each meal and a good damp mopping every week.
6. Carpets

 Weekly Vacuuming carpets every week will even reduce allergies. Remove the dog and the baby before to do so!
7. Furniture

 Monthly Vacuum furniture and fabrics every month and steam clean annually
8. Remote control or joystick

 Weekly Remove the batteries, clean the remote control surface by rubbing the buttons and gaps.
9. Ceiling fans

 Quarterly With an all purpose cleaner, wipe the blades. Do not forget to turn off the fan!
10. Window blinds

 Quarterly Dust and clean batten by batten with soapy water and a soft cloth.
11. Toilet

 Daily Brush daily and thoroughly clean once a week.
12. Towels

 After some use After the shower or the bath, hang to dry and use a few times (3 or 4 times), then machine wash. Note: If you have teenagers, this thing may not work!
13. Shower curtain

 Monthly Spray a bathroom cleaner to remove residual accumulated soaps and limescale.
14. Bed linen

 Weekly Wash in warm water to remove bacteria and mites. Avoid eating in your bed!
15. Mattress

 Biannual Vacuum the mattress twice a year to remove dead skin cells and mites.
16. Air filter

 Monthly Changing air filters every month or as recommended by the manufacturer contributes to a healthy environment.

We have the tools to clean

At Lalema, we serve a large industrial and institutional clientele with an online catalog of more than 18000 products ! Come and have a look!

www.lalema.com

Source :

inspired from http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/slideshow-how-often-clean-this.

Photos are owned by me or from various talended photographs via unsplash.com

To clean or to disinfect? a simple definition.

Gaétan Lanthier

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.

surfaces-vetustes definition

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 !

corridor-hopital-lalema definition

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.

biofilm-1024x767 definition

To learn more

Visit l’Academy Lalema for a whole lot of online training in sanitation and surface disenfection..

Sources: Larousse, Wikipedia, Linternaute

COVID-19 generated hygiene and sanitation costs of $ 12,604.22 per hospitalization in 2020-2021

Gaétan Lanthier

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.

Budget 2020-2021 - Hygiène et salubrité en pandémie de COVID-19

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. .

SOURCES

INSPQ Data on COVID 19

MSSS 2020-2021 Financial Data

Cleaning in Hospitals (part 4)

Gaétan Lanthier
Work_Organization

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.

Cleaning in Hospitals (part 3)

Gaétan Lanthier
cleaning-hospital-staff

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 (part 2)

Gaétan Lanthier
cleaning-hospitals

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.

Cleaning in Hospitals (part 1)

Gaétan Lanthier
hospital-cleaning

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.

A Brief History of Bleach 2021

Gaétan Lanthier

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 Underground, Paris, France

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!

Let’s talk about surface disinfection

Gaétan Lanthier

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.

Disinfection

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

  1. Produits et accessoires
  2. 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!

So, are you going to try?

Myosan TB, indirect claim against SARS-CoV-2

Gaétan Lanthier

Myosan TB is a ready-to-use disinfectant cleaner has a broad spectrum virucidal claim. In accordance with Health Canada’s recommendations, we are authorized to make an indirect claim against SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19 [1] , [2] .

Myosan TB

MYOSAN TB

Myosan TB can therefore be used as a disinfectant against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, since it is qualified as part of Health Canada’s approach to emerging viral pathogens for hard-to-use surface disinfectants. against SARS-CoV-2.

Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses, which means that they are among the easiest types of virus to kill with an appropriate disinfectant, when used according to the label directions for use.

To obtain Myosan TB, contact us at (514) 645-2753, or infos@lalema.com, or visit www.myosantb.com. Thank you.

SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19)

Coronavirus are enveloped viruses, which means that they are among the easiest types of virus to kill with an appropriate disinfectant, when used according to the label directions.

VIRUCIDAL

Said of a substance capable of destroying a virus.
A virus is an organism made up of at least two things: genetic material (DNA) and proteins. Being dependent on another organism to reproduce, the virus must find a viable host to multiply.

TUBERCULOSIS

A tuberculocidal agent is a real killer of tuberculous bacilli, tuberculosis creating an infection with the mycobacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

BACTERICIDE

Said of a substance having the capacity to kill bacteria.
A bacterium is a single-celled living organism composed of a membrane, genetic material and cellular machinery. It differs from the virus in that it does not need a host to reproduce; the bacteria is an independent organism.

FUNGICIDE

Said of a substance that destroys fungi.
Fungi, commonly called fungi, are sometimes unicellular, sometimes complex multicellular organisms. Composed of a nucleus, a membrane and a cellular machinery, the fungus reproduces itself.

SPREAD THE INFO, NOT THE VIRUS

[1] https://www.canada.ca/fr/sante-canada/services/medicaments-produits-sante/desinfectants/covid-19.html

[2] https://www.canada.ca/fr/sante-canada/services/medicaments-produits-sante/medicaments/demandes-presentations/lignes-directrices/desinfectants/exigences-matiere-innocuite-efficacite-relatives-desinfectants -assimilate-drugs-hard-surfaces.html # b5

Coronavirus: 7 myths

Gaétan Lanthier

It’s very simple, all the subtitles of this post are false. Fortunately, we are helping you get the facts out about COVID-19 (coronavirus).

coronavirus

CODIV-19 CAN BE TRANSMITTED BY MOSQUITO BITES

FALSE

The new coronavirus is a respiratory virus that spreads mainly through contact with an infected person, through respiratory droplets emitted when a person, for example, coughs or sneezes, or through saliva or secretion droplets nasal passages. To date, there is no information or evidence suggesting that 2019-nCov could be transmitted by mosquitoes. To protect yourself, avoid close contact with someone who has a fever or cough, and practice good hand and respiratory hygiene.

COLD WEATHER AND SNOW CAN KILL NEW CORONAVIRUS

FALSE

The normal temperature of the human body remains around 36.5°C and 37°C, regardless of the outside temperature or weather. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that cold weather can kill the new coronavirus or other pathogens. The most effective way to protect yourself from 2019-nCoV is to wash your hands frequently with an alcohol-based product or with soap and water.

THE NEW CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) CAN PROJECT UP TO 8 METERS FROM A PERSON WHO IS TUSTING OR SNEAKING

FALSE

Respiratory droplets project up to 1 meter from a person who coughs or sneezes.

When a person infected with COVID-19 coughs or sneezes, the virus is expelled into droplets that can travel a certain distance from that person. Therefore, to protect yourself from any respiratory virus, avoid close contact with someone who has a fever or cough, and wash your hands frequently with hydro alcohol or soap and water.

HAND DRYERS ARE EFFECTIVE IN KILLING COVID-19

FALSE

Hand dryers are not effective in killing COVID-19. To protect yourself from the new coronavirus, you should frequently wash your hands with a water-based product or with soap and water. Once your hands are clean, you should dry them thoroughly with paper towels or a hot air dryer.

CAN EAT GARLIC HELP PREVENT NEW CORONAVIRUS INFECTION?

FALSE

On one positive side, it may drive colleagues away. Garlic is a healthy food that may have certain antimicrobial properties. However, there is no evidence in the current epidemic that consuming garlic protects people from the new coronavirus.

DOMESTIC ANIMALS CAN SPREAD THE NEW CORONAVIRUS

FALSE

There is currently no evidence that pets / pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the new coronavirus. However, it is always a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water after contact with pets. This protects you from various common bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella that can pass from pets to humans.

ANTIBIOTICS ARE EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING AND TREATING NEW CORONAVIRUS INFECTION

FALSE

Antibiotics do not work against viruses, but only against bacteria.

The new coronavirus (COVID-19) is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment.

However, if you are hospitalized for COVID-19 infection, you may be given antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible.

This is not a title

Take my COVID-19 online training course now (in french)

Sources:
https://www.who.int/fr/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters

Is Nipah Virus the Next Epidemic Crisis?

Gaétan Lanthier

Nipah-Virus-Grey-Headed-Flying-Fox-Size

According to the CBC:

A rare virus spread by fruit bats, which can cause flu-like symptoms and brain damage, has killed 10 people in southern India, health officials said on Tuesday, with at least two more cases being monitored.

…

The virus was first detected in Malaysia in 1998, and India’s eastern state of West Bengal has suffered two outbreaks in the last decade, killing 50 people, the WHO has said.

There has been a another preivous outbreak in Bengladesh in 2004. It would be the third outbreak if confirmed.

Is there any risks in Canada?

The risk to Canadians is considered to be low as there are no species of fruit bats in Canada. However, people working with swine in Southeast Asia should be aware of the risk.

Mode of transmission of Nipah Virus

nipah virus

Public Health Canada states that:

The mechanism for the transmission of the virus from fruit-bats to animals is unknown, but may involve consumption of fruit contaminated with urine or saliva from infected bats. Transmission from animals to humans appears to occur by direct contact with contaminated tissues/body fluids of infected animals, especially pigs. Other infected animals, such as cats and dogs, may also be involved in spreading the virus. Human to human transmission is likely to occur by direct exposure to an infectious inoculum shed in the respiratory secretions of the infected individual, as well as by close physical interaction and frequent contact with the infected individual’s saliva.

…

Human-to-human transmission has been documented in several of the more recent outbreaks in Bangladesh, before which human-to-human transmission was considered to be a rare event

Sources:

Special Thanks: Remi Charlebois

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/india-nipah-virus-death-toll-1.4672446

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/nipah/en/

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/diseases/immediately-notifiable/nipah-virus/fact-sheet/eng/1303439340158/1306100144027

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/laboratory-biosafety-biosecurity/pathogen-safety-data-sheets-risk-assessment/nipah-virus.htm

Towards a universal vaccine against flu

Gaétan Lanthier

Influenza is a stubborn virus. Moreover, every year, the virus is changing and it’s another race against time to produce a new vaccine, often composed of several strains, which will be able to protect the most vulnerable population such as young children, the elderly and sick people.

inlfuenza

AN ENCOURAGING RESEARCH on INFLUENZA

According to the article by Radio-Canada:

At Laval University, Gary Kobinger’s team is testing a new influenza vaccine, which could provide better protection and long-term immunization. The formula incorporates much of the circulating influenza strains over the last 20 years.

A first clinical trial to test the safety of the vaccine ended a few months ago. According to the researchers, it shows that the product does not cause significant side effects.

The effectiveness of vaccines against influenza (the flu) is also limited especially when we guess wrong the strain that will be the most virulent that year!

THE IMPORTANCE OF HAND WASH

We are all at one point exposed to the flu virus. A good way of individual prevention is to put on your hat on and tie your coat. I am joking. On the other hand, regular hand washing before meals, after the toilet and even just when arriving at work or at home is really an effective way against the spread of the virus.

Regular hand soaps like Utopia or antibacterial soap like Utopia AB do the trick.

Did you know that our soaps do not contain any: methyisothiazolinone?

THE IMPORTANCE OF SURFACE DISINFECTION

Cleaning worker also plays a very important role in the winter period when it comes to disinfecting surfaces. Specialty products such as the Ali-Flex line of product offers many benefits:

 

DOWNLOAD MY FREE TRAINING ON INFLUENZA EPIDEMICS

I can give it in person at your workplace. Contact me glanthier@lalema.com

Source: http://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1065664/vaccin-universel-grippe-influenza-guerir-personnes-agees-annee-h1n1-une-fois

Would we be ready to face an epidemic of bubonic plague?

Gaétan Lanthier

Would we be ready to face an epidemic of bubonic plague?

In Madagascar, the government has recently imposed two days ago new emergency measures to stop a plague epidemic. It has been declared 24 dead since 1 month1.

black_death

What is the bubonic plague?

The plague is a bacterium Yersinia pestis, present in rodents as rats are often passed to humans by infected fleas.

According to Health Canada:

The incubation period of the plague varies from one to ten days.

Whatever the form, the illness always starts with flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, muscle aches, weakness and headaches) and can also cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

If left untreated, the mortality rate can reach 50%.

Bubonic plague smear demonstrating the presence of yersinia pest

SURFACES DISINFECTIONS

According to Health Canada2, in the event of a spill or contaminated surfaces:

Let the aerosols fall; wear protective clothing, carefully cover the spilled material with paper towels and apply 1% sodium hypochlorite from the periphery to the center; allow to act for a sufficient period (30 minutes) before cleaning

Plague is affected by many types of surface disinfectants such as:

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET: PATHOGENIC AGENTS, AND RISK ASSESSMENT

You are dealing with a bacterium, virus or other pathogen and you want to know more about it. Health Canada has launched an application and a website:

LAST CASE REPORTED IN CANADA

Cases of plague in humans are very rare in Canada; the last case was reported in 1939.

 

References:

1 http://www.lapresse.ca/international/afrique/201709/30/01-5138249-madagascar-durence-measures-to-tenter-delight-pidemic-epidemia.php

2 https://www.canada.ca/en/public_health/services/biosururity-biosurete-laboratory/technical-sheets-health-security-agents-pathogenes-risk-assessment/yers-in-the-health-technical-files -Security-ftss.html

How often should I clean this or that?

Gaétan Lanthier

I develop maintenance program for my clients and the question that comes up most often is:
“How often should I clean this or that?”

clean

How often should I clean this?

Here is a non-exhaustive list of 16 surfaces to clean regularly at home.

Item Frequency Tips
1. Cellular phone

 Daily Wipe with a microfiber glass cloth to remove any greasy substances and germs
2. Kitchen Counter

 Daily Use a mild all purpose cleaner. When using a disinfectant cleaner, rinse the surface.
3. Dishwasher

 Monthly Use specially designed capsules or a little bit of baking soda and vinegar and the trick is done.
4. Refrigerator

 Quarterly To avoid the appearance of mold and other undesirable contents, empty and clean the shelves and containers.
5. Kitchen floor

 Weekly Use a broom after each meal and a good damp mopping every week.
6. Carpets

 Weekly Vacuuming carpets every week will even reduce allergies. Remove the dog and the baby before to do so!
7. Furniture

 Monthly Vacuum furniture and fabrics every month and steam clean annually
8. Remote control or joystick

 Weekly Remove the batteries, clean the remote control surface by rubbing the buttons and gaps.
9. Ceiling fans

 Quarterly With an all purpose cleaner, wipe the blades. Do not forget to turn off the fan!
10. Window blinds

 Quarterly Dust and clean batten by batten with soapy water and a soft cloth.
11. Toilet

 Daily Brush daily and thoroughly clean once a week.
12. Towels

 After some use After the shower or the bath, hang to dry and use a few times (3 or 4 times), then machine wash. Note: If you have teenagers, this thing may not work!
13. Shower curtain

 Monthly Spray a bathroom cleaner to remove residual accumulated soaps and limescale.
14. Bed linen

 Weekly Wash in warm water to remove bacteria and mites. Avoid eating in your bed!
15. Mattress

 Biannual Vacuum the mattress twice a year to remove dead skin cells and mites.
16. Air filter

 Monthly Changing air filters every month or as recommended by the manufacturer contributes to a healthy environment.

We have the tools to clean

At Lalema, we serve a large industrial and institutional clientele with an online catalog of more than 18000 products ! Come and have a look!

www.lalema.com

 

Source :

inspired from http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/ss/slideshow-how-often-clean-this.

Photos are owned by me or from various talended photographs via unsplash.com

The complete guide to hospital cleaning

Gaétan Lanthier

hospital-cleaning

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.

Infective Risk Analysis

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 Cleaning Staff: key to success

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!

Work Organization

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!

Want to know more?

Look this free webinar from my collegue Remi:

Need help?

Don’t hesitate to call 514.645.2753 or subscribe to one of our training seminars. I really hope that you liked this post!