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Four Steps to Clean Hospitals: Look; Plan; Clean; and Dry

Dancer, Stephanie J.; Kramer, Axel

Authors

Axel Kramer



Abstract

Background
Now that cleaning and decontamination are recognised as integral to infection control, it is timely to examine the process in more detail. This is because cleaning practices vary widely within healthcare districts and it is likely that both time and energy are needlessly wasted with ill-defined duties. Furthermore, inadequate cleaning will not reduce the infection risk but may even enhance it. The process would benefit from a systematic appraisal, with each component placed within an evidence-based and ordered protocol.
Methods
A literary search was performed on ‘hospital cleaning’, with focus on manual aspects of cleaning, pathogen reservoirs and transmission, hand-hygiene, staff responsibilities and patient comfort.
Results
There were no articles providing an evidence-based practical approach to systematic cleaning in hospitals. This review therefore proposes a simple four-step guide for daily cleaning of the occupied bed space. STEP 1 (Look) describes a visual assessment of the area to be cleaned; STEP 2 (Plan) argues why the bed space needs preparation before cleaning; STEP 3 (Clean) covers surface cleaning/decontamination; and STEP 4 (Dry) is the final stage whereby surfaces are allowed to dry.
Conclusion
Given the lack of articles providing practical cleaning guidance, this review proposes a four-step protocol based on evidence if available, or justified where not. Each step is presented, discussed and risk-assessed. It is likely that a systematic cleaning process would reduce the risk of healthcare-acquired infection for everyone, including outbreaks, in addition to heightened confidence in overall quality of care.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Dec 20, 2018
Online Publication Date Dec 27, 2018
Publication Date 2019-09
Deposit Date Jan 9, 2019
Publicly Available Date Jan 14, 2019
Journal Journal of Hospital Infection
Print ISSN 0195-6701
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 103
Issue 1
Pages e1-e8
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2018.12.015
Keywords Healthcare environment, cleaning, decontamination, hospital hygiene, bed-space,
Public URL http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/1492925
Contract Date Jan 9, 2019

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This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

© . This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/







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