Unit 334: Hospital Housekeeping and Infection Control

1. Importance of Hospital Housekeeping

• Role of housekeeping in healthcare settings
• Impact on infection rates and patient outcomes
• Regulatory standards and compliance
• Contribution to overall patient safety and comfort

2. Infection Control Measures in Hospital Housekeeping

• Understanding healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)
• Cleaning vs. disinfection vs. sterilization
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) usage and protocols
• Cleaning agents and their appropriate applications
• Hand hygiene and cross-contamination prevention

3. Cleaning and Sanitization of Patient Rooms

3.1 Preparing for Cleaning

• Gathering supplies and equipment
• Donning appropriate PPE

3.2 Cleaning Procedures

• Bed and bedding management
• Cleaning surfaces: bedside tables, counters, furniture
• Bathroom sanitation: toilets, sinks, showers
• Cleaning and disinfecting medical equipment in rooms

3.3 Post-Cleaning Steps

• Proper disposal of waste and used materials
• Documentation and reporting

4. Waste Management in Healthcare Facilities

• Types of medical waste: infectious, sharps, chemical, general
• Waste segregation protocols and color coding
• Safe handling and transportation of waste
• Disposal methods complying with environmental and health regulations

5. Handling Contaminated Linens and Biohazardous Materials

• Identification and classification of contaminated linens
• Collection and transportation procedures
• Laundry protocols and decontamination techniques
• Handling and disposal of biohazardous materials

6. Cleaning High-Touch Areas and Common Spaces

• Identification of high-touch surfaces (doorknobs, light switches, handrails)
• Frequency and methods of cleaning and disinfection
• Special considerations for waiting areas, elevators, and corridors

7. Equipment Maintenance and Sterilization

• Types of medical equipment requiring cleaning and sterilization
• Cleaning vs. disinfecting vs. sterilizing equipment
• Use of autoclaves and other sterilization technologies
• Routine maintenance schedules and documentation

8. Emergency Response and Spill Cleanup

• Types of spills: biological, chemical, infectious
• Immediate containment and isolation procedures
• Use of spill kits and PPE during cleanup
• Decontamination and disposal of spill materials
• Reporting incidents and follow-up actions