Healthcare centres must maintain strict cleanliness standards. The responsible authority can not allow the hospital or clinic to remain unhygienic. Some energy spaces in healthcare zones need extra cleaning. The frequency of medical centres cleaning depends on the space, the number of patients, local regulations, and more. But professionally cleaning healthcare centres twice a week is always a good move. A professional cleaning service can examine the medical centre and let you know how often it should be cleaned.
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What Factors Affect Medical Centres Cleaning Frequency?
The frequency of cleaning in medical centres is critical for maintaining a hygienic and safe environment for patients and staff. Several factors influence routine cleaning frequency. Here’s what matters;
Patient Volume
The number of patients makes more sense when determining how often a healthcare centre is cleaned. The formula is simple: If a clinic has more patients, it demands more frequent cleaning than a clinic with fewer patients. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, hospitals record 24,100 presentations in emergency departments at public hospitals daily.
High-quality hygiene insurance is needed when too many patients are in the same healthcare centre. Management should maintain hospital hygiene standards at any cost. Also, the authority needs to meet the maintenance needs. This is true for all types of medical centre cleaning.
Area of the Medical Centre
A medical centre with a larger area needs more professional cleaning. To be more precise, multiple cleaning sessions a day are required for healthcare zones with more extensive facilities. There will be more patients and treatment areas. Larger medical centres also mean more shared spaces, waiting rooms, cafeterias and high-touch surfaces.
On the other hand, the medical centres cleaning frequency is not that high for the smaller ones. This is because there will be fewer patients and staff. The same goes for the common areas. Professional cleaning once a week is more than enough.
Local Regulations and Guidelines
Every medical centre should strictly follow Australian healthcare regulations regarding cleaning. The frequency of professional cleaning for those healthcare institutions will also vary based on the law. But one thing is certain. The laws and regulations are implemented considering the healthcare environment safety.
Non-compliance can result in significant fines and penalties imposed by regulatory bodies. The medical centre management team needs to be very mindful of this. The facility may lose accreditation from the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS).
Type of Medical Services
Different medical procedures need different cleaning protocols and frequencies. Healthcare centre management should also focus on cleaning high-risk areas like operation rooms, recovery rooms, emergency rooms, and more. Patients in recovery rooms are often vulnerable to infections. Regular cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and equipment are crucial.
Cleaning emergency areas often take time to remove blood, bodily fluids, and other contaminants. Australian public hospitals recorded 8.8 million emergency department presentations in 2022-23.
These areas may also be exposed to hazardous materials. A healthcare centre should consider all these factors when determining the cleaning period. We recommend professionally cleaning medical centres with too many emergency rooms twice or thrice a week.
What Is the Importance of Regular Professional Cleaning in Medical Centres?
We do not consider the healthcare centre a random place, do we? When there are too many patients, the place should be cleaned enough. There are a bunch of reasons why you should take steps to clean your medical centres with professional help.
Improved Patient Satisfaction
The key to running a successful medical centre is letting patients feel satisfied. Now, satisfaction should not be only related to medical services. It comes in when patients feel good at the hospital or clinic. A clean environment creates a positive impression on patients and visitors, and positive patient satisfaction can increase the hospital’s ratings.
Reduced Risk of Infection
This is the most important reason why you should clean your medical centre. Around 200,000 infections occur each year in Australian Hospitals. Proper cleaning eliminates harmful bacteria and viruses. However, if the spaces of a hospital remain dirty, the risk of infection increases.
Some common pathogens found in medical settings are MRSA, C. difficile, influenza, and COVID-19. Medical waste disposal needs to be done at all costs. This can cause harmful diseases and make the hospital environment unhealthy.
Professional cleaning on a regular basis can ensure pathogen control and clinical sanitation. Effective pathogen control helps to prevent the spread of infections.
Enhanced Staff Morale
A clean workplace can boost employee morale and productivity. They will feel more energised when working at their workplace. If you ensure a clean and healthy environment in the healthcare zone, employees won’t feel less stress and anxiety. Besides, higher employee attendance will be on the card. Dissatisfaction among the staff is not a good thing for the medical centres.
Long-Term Cost Savings
Dust and bacteria can cause medical equipment to stop functioning for an extended period. However, if the healthcare centre is cleaned, the equipment can function longer. Regular maintenance has a huge role to play here. Proper cleaning can reduce the need for costly replacements.
Why Should Medical Centres Go with Professional Cleaning Services?
There is a big difference between professional cleaning and medical centres with regular staff. No one should compromise patient safety. Professional cleaning services can add more value to medical centre cleaning. Here’s how;
Expertise and Experience
Professional cleaners have the expertise and skill to make a hospital properly clean and hygienic. Most cleaning services hire individuals with certain degrees and skills in this sector. They also know the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. The professionals have years of experience and know how to clean properly.
They also have the tools and equipment needed to perform the task. You can’t just use a random cleaning approach when cleaning a healthcare centre. Knowledge of medical standards is crucial when performing cleaning tasks. Professional cleaners are trained to understand and follow medical cleaning protocols and regulations.
Access to Necessary Equipment and Tools
The best thing about professional cleaning services is that they have access to cleaning products like Medical-grade disinfectants, which play a key role in hygienic cleaning. Professionals also use chemicals specifically designed for medical environments. But make sure you choose the right, eco-friendly cleaning services.
Hospital-Grade Cleaning Services
These services go beyond standard commercial cleaning. This type of medical centre cleaning service ensures a clean, safe, and hygienic environment. From patients to the staff, everyone benefits. Their cleaning staff is trained in infection prevention and control procedures.
What if A Medical Centre Don’t Follow Routine Cleaning Frequency?
Every medical centre should follow the routine cleaning frequency. Failure to adhere to routine cleaning frequencies can have serious consequences. How can a medical centre operate without a clean and hygienic environment? No way! The chance of high-risk infection will be increased. Think what will happen then.
There will also be great concern for patient safety. In this scenario, no medical centres are allowed to perform operations. Infections can lead to serious health complications, prolonged hospital stays, and even death. The reputation of the hospital or healthcare zone will go down.
Healthcare facilities should follow the laws and regulations of the Health Department guidelines in Australia. The responsible authority may take legal action against the medical centre. The Australian Department of Health closely monitors patient safety and health concerns in hospitals.
FAQs
✓Why Is Professional Cleaning Important in Healthcare Facilities?
Professional cleaning services come with the necessary tools and protocols to perform a proper cleaning session. They have expertise in the field of medical cleaning. Also, professional cleaners can clean larger spaces quickly. Regular professional cleaning helps to maintain a consistent level of cleanliness throughout your facility.
✓What Areas in a Medical Centre Require the Most Frequent Cleaning?
Some emergency areas in the medical centre need frequent cleanings, such as the patient rooms, operation theatres, exam rooms, waiting rooms, and many others. The management should prioritise these areas, where many people gather and important medical operations take place.
✓Can Regular Cleaning Staff Handle the Cleaning Needs of a Medical Centre?
In most cases, no. But if they are skilled enough, they can contribute. The best option is always to go with a medical centre cleaning expert. Professional cleaners often have access to specialised cleaning equipment and chemicals designed for healthcare environments. The excellent option is to go with professional cleaning services.
✓Are There Specific Cleaning Requirements for Different Types of Medical Facilities?
There are Health Department guidelines in Australia. Medical centres should follow these guidelines when cleaning their spaces. There is no chance of going against the requirements. The requirements can vary based on the type of medical centre. The cleaning requirements for dental offices are indifferent to those for surgical centres.
Final Thoughts
Medical centres should contact a professional cleaning service. They can help healthcare centres schedule cleaning periods based on the factors mentioned. Healthcare facility maintenance should not be compromised. A clean environment in the medical centre can attract more patients.
Holy Cross Cleaning is a professional medical centre cleaning service provider. We have been around this field for more than 130 years. Our dedicated and expert cleaning professionals are committed to delivering exceptional cleaning services. We understand the importance of maintaining a clean and hygienic environment in medical centres.