Let’s talk about disinfection (once more)

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?

Let’s talk about surface disinfection

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?

Surface Cleaning Methods & Products with RCP

Hygen microfiber from Rubbermaid Commercial Products
Hygen microfiber from Rubbermaid Commercial Products

The COVID-19 has led us to adopt new protocols to ensure patient and staff safety in healthcare facilities. Having said that, it is crucial to equip yourself with the right surface cleaning and disinfection products in healthcare facilities! What are the right products? How should you clean? Let’s explore them with the help from Rubbermaid Commercial Products, a world leader in the commercial cleaning industry! Of course, in these strange days, depending on the availability of some products, Lalema has suggestions as well ;)!

SURFACE CLEANING PRODUCTS

First of all, here are some products suggested by RCP for surface cleaning. Overall, most of them are available. Otherwise, we have replacements.

Recommended surface cleaning products
Recommended surface cleaning products

Hygen microfiber cloths – Rubbermaid Commercial Products’ all-purpose 16″ x 16″ HYGEN microfiber cloths remove 99.9% of the viruses and bacteria tested on surfaces.

Bowl Brush – This bowl brush has a plastic handle. The brush is made of polypropylene bristles. It is odor and stain resistant.

Toilet brush holder – This toilet brush holder is made of polypropylene. It is stain and odor resistant.

Bottle and Sprayer: Graduated bottle for inserting and spraying cleaning solutions.

As a replacement for Hygen disposable microfiber cloths and its charging tub system, we suggest this:

Dry Wipes and MYOSAN TB Kit – Kit of dry wipes and MYOSAN TB designed to disinfect and eliminate microorganisms on hard surfaces. It should inactivate the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Dry Wipes and MYOSAN TB Kit
Dry Wipes and MYOSAN TB Kit

BEST PRACTICES

Second, as expectations for cleanliness and hygiene rise, facilities must ensure that they have an established surface cleaning and disinfection process. This includes regular cleaning of high-traffic areas. Below are the best surface cleaning practices used in hospitals around the world today.

CLEANING TIPS

  1. Clean systematically, clockwise or counterclockwise – No surface is forgotten, this process saves time and is more ergonomic
  2. Go from clean to dirty – This reduces the likelihood of the spread of infections and contaminants
  3. Clean from the top to the bottom – Any dust or debris dislodged from the upper surface will naturally fall to the lower surfaces
  4. Wipe in one direction (unidirectional wiping) – Unidirectional wiping ensures that the solution is applied over the entire surface, while circular wiping re-contaminates areas
  5. Color Coding – Use single color wiping cloth for each zone. For example:
  • Red for high risk areas
  • Blue for mirrors
  • Yellow for baths and showers

8-SURFACE FOLDING METHODOLOGY

Finally, the 8-surface folding methodology! This is the 8-sided folding for microfiber cloths. It optimizes the use of the cloth while reducing the risk of cross-contamination during the cleaning process. Here are the steps:

8-SURFACE FOLDING METHODOLOGY
8-SURFACE FOLDING METHODOLOGY

8-surface folding methodology by Rubbermaid Commercial Products

  1. Start by opening a clean microfiber cloth
  2. Fold the microfiber cloth in half
  3. Fold the microfiber cloth into four pieces
  4. Clean surfaces with both sides of the cloth exposed
  5. Open the microfiber cloth once to change the sides
  6. Fold over to expose both clean cleaning surfaces
  7. Fully open the microfiber cloth when all four sides have been used
  8. Repeat steps 2 to 7 to use all eight sides

In short, these tips are only general since we could have gone deeper into the details or in further checklists. However, the importance is to set up a methodology for surface cleaning and disinfection and to be equipped with the right products. Don’t forget to wear personal safety equipment! Let’s save the subject of floor cleaning for another day!

Lalema would like to thank and salute all the staff in the healthcare facilities for their services!

How to clean and dispose of a mask?

Wearing a mask has become our new habit during the pandemic situation. Therefore, let us explore how to clean and remove a mask or a face cover. In fact, there is more than one way to clean a mask including some additional precautions. So, let’s go over some methods!

CLEAN IN THE LAUNDRY

First, according to Health Canada, if you plan to rewear a reusable (non-medical cloth) mask, we suggest cleaning it by putting it directly in the laundry. It can be washed with other items using a hot water cycle. As for the cleaning product to use, regular laundry soap should be fairly effective, according to the New York Times. In addition, according to Le Parisien, washing with hot water should be at least 60° C for 30 minutes.

Laundry machine

CLEAN BY HAND

Second, following what was shared in the New York Times, experts have said that hand washing face covers in a sink works as well. You should lather the soap and rub the mask for 20 seconds. It’s a similar process to hand washing.

Hand laundry kit

SOAK WITH HOT SOAP

Third, soak the mask in warm soapy water. This method comes from Professor Golemi-Kotra, an expert in molecular biology in Toronto York University. She said the best way to clean a cloth mask would be to soak it in hot, soapy water for at least an hour.

DRY THE MASK

Afterwards, dry the mask completely in the dryer or by hanging it.

Drying masks

ELIMINATE A MASK

Finally, we dispose a mask that cannot be washed when it is wet, soiled or wrinkled. So just throw the mask properly in a lined trash can. It’s the same for a damaged reusable mask or a face cover at the end of its life span. Do not leave your mask lying anywhere else.

In short, these were ways to clean a face cover. Which method is right for you? Above all, do not forget to wash your hands properly before putting on a mask and also after removing it! Also, disinfect your surfaces as well!

Visit Lalema for masks and soaps!

Sources:
https://quebec.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/voici-comment-laver-masques-tissu-faits-maison_qc_5e960ed6c5b6a7e383dfffca
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks/how-put-remove-clean-non-medical-masks-face-coverings.html
http://www.leparisien.fr/societe/coronavirus-comment-laver-et-entretenir-correctement-son-masque-en-tissu-30-04-2020-8308476.php
https://www.lesoleil.com/actualite/le-masque-en-tissu-doit-etre-desinfecte-apres-chaque-sortie-voici-comment-faire-video-1fcd1b8b27e5a48f580cb589d22273c5

COVID-19 and the preventive measures.

2019-nCoV is making the headlines these days. What is the 2019-nCoV and what are the preventive measures? Up to now, we don’t fully understand the pathogenic potential and transmission dynamics of this new 2019 coronavirus.

Young woman with respiratory mask

What is it?

In a nutshell, it is part of the coronavirus family. It presents “80% of similarities” with the SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome) which killed hundreds of people in 2003. This virus does not spread as well as influenza and doesn’t evolve very quickly. The symptoms are the same as most flu cases: fever, cough, muscle aches, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.

Last December, the coronavirus appeared in Wuhan, a city in central China. The cities of Wuhan and Huanggang have been quarantined. So far, it has killed 490 people in China and thousands of people have been infected. The virus has also been detected in 23 other countries. In order to limit its spread, measures are being taken in several countries. The WHO (World Health Organization) has declared this virus as an international emergency.

Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan

What are the preventive measures?

Brief, here are some preventive measures for 2019-nCoV. As suggested by the WHO, the following are strategies for health care-associated infection prevention and control when a case of nCoV is suspected:

  1. Early detection and source control
    – Encouraging health care workers and managers to have a high level of clinical suspicion
  2. Application of standard precautions for all patients
    – Ensure that respiratory hygiene measures are taken by providing a medical mask in case of suspected nCoV infection for those who can tolerate it
    – Cover your nose and mouth by coughing or sneezing into a tissue or bent elbow
    Wash hands after contact with respiratory secretions
    – Wear personal protective equipment
    – Follow environmental cleaning and disinfection procedures consistently and correctly
  3. The implementation of empirical additional precautions
    – Wear a particulate respirator at least as protective as a NIOSH N95, EU FFP2 certified respirator or equivalent
    – Wear eye protection (goggles or face shield)
    – Use clean, non-sterile long-sleeved coveralls
    – Wear gloves and avoid contact with eyes, nose or mouth with potentially contaminated hands
    – Use disposable equipment or dedicated equipment to be disinfected after each use
  4. Administrative controls
    – Ensure sustainable infection prevention and control infrastructure and activities are in place
    – Provide training and education to health care workers and patients
  5. Environmental and technical controls
    – Ensure adequate ventilation and proper cleaning of the environment

So, do not hesitate to contact us for your needs and questions about our products or hygiene training.

For more details on 2019-nCoV, see the following sources:
https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1482141/coronavirus-chine-questions-reponses
https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1486752/coronavirus-chine-villes-quarantaine-transports
https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1482961/coronavirus-virus-chine-asie
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/lab-biosafety-guidelines.html
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200203-sitrep-14-ncov.pdf