Unit 328: Hospital Housekeeping and Infection Control

1. Understanding the Importance of Hospital Housekeeping

1.1 Significance of Cleanliness in Hospitals

• Impact on patient health and recovery
• Role in preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)
• Creating a safe and reassuring environment for patients and staff

1.2 Consequences of Poor Housekeeping

• Spread of infections and diseases
• Increased patient morbidity and mortality
• Legal and reputational risks for healthcare facilities

2. Infection Control Measures in Hospital Housekeeping

2.1 Infection Control Protocols

• Standard precautions and transmission-based precautions
• Role of housekeeping staff in infection prevention

2.2 Cleaning Techniques

• Types of cleaning: routine, terminal, and targeted cleaning
• Step-by-step cleaning processes

2.3 Disinfection Methods

• Chemical disinfectants and their applications
• Contact time and proper dilution

2.4 Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Types of PPE used by housekeeping staff
• Correct procedures for donning and doffing PPE

3. Safe Handling and Disposal of Biohazardous Waste

3.1 Types of Biohazardous Waste in Hospitals

• Infectious waste, sharps, pathological waste

3.2 Segregation and Storage

• Color-coded bins and labeling
• Safe storage practices

3.3 Disposal Guidelines and Regulations

• National and international standards
• Role of housekeeping in compliance

4. Cleaning and Disinfection of Patient Rooms

4.1 Cleaning Procedures

• Cleaning order and frequency
• Focus on high-touch surfaces and equipment

4.2 Disinfection Protocols

• Appropriate disinfectants for different surfaces
• Handling of medical equipment and electronics

4.3 Post-Cleaning Inspection

• Checklists and quality assurance

5. Environmental Services Equipment and Chemicals

5.1 Cleaning Equipment

• Types of tools: mops, vacuums, scrubbers
• Maintenance and storage

5.2 Cleaning Agents and Chemicals

• Detergents, disinfectants, and specialty agents
• Safe handling and storage

5.3 Equipment Safety and Handling

• Proper use to avoid injury and contamination

6. Emergency Response and Waste Spill Management

6.1 Identifying Spill Types

• Biological, chemical, and mixed spills

6.2 Spill Containment Procedures

• Immediate actions to contain and isolate spills

6.3 Cleanup and Decontamination

• Appropriate PPE and cleaning agents
• Disposal of contaminated materials

6.4 Reporting and Documentation

• Incident reporting protocols

7. Personal Hygiene and Safety for Housekeeping Staff

7.1 Personal Hygiene Practices

• Hand hygiene techniques
• Maintaining clean uniforms and PPE

7.2 Safety Precautions

• Ergonomics and safe lifting techniques
• Avoiding slips, trips, and falls

7.3 Use of PPE

• Importance and correct usage

7.4 Health and Wellness

• Recognizing signs of exposure and reporting