Press Release: Ecolab supports Association for the Healthcare Environment's Certified Surgical Cleaning Technician Program

April 16, 2018 | Formats: News Release

Formalized national standards and associated performance-based training program to support surgical cleaning technicians

CHICAGO (April 16, 2018) –The Association for the Healthcare Environment (AHE) of the American Hospital Association is proud to announce a strategic alliance with Ecolab, the global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services.

First and foremost, the development of AHE’s launch of the Certified Surgical Cleaning Technician Program (CSCT) was in response to a demand from the field. Both member and nonmember facilities have requested training and education for cleaning technicians responsible for surgical suites and other high risk procedure areas. This program is designed to positively affect surgical and procedural outcomes by providing the requisite training for cleaning technicians as a means to minimize the potential for the spread of pathogenic organisms. Solid evidence continues to grow naming the environmental services as a crucial team member in the prevention of pathogens that can cause healthcare-associated infections including Surgical Site Infections or SSIs.¹

Surgical cleaning technicians play an essential role in reducing or mitigating the potential for pathogenic transmission. Consistent, effective training and a greater degree of objective evaluation of cleaning and disinfection performed in high stakes environments is needed. However, formalized national standards and associated performance-based training encompassing technical, behavioral, and communications skills to support surgical cleaning technicians’ achievement of positive outcomes did not exist--until now.

“The development of CSCT is a direct response to a demand in the field to train to a consistent standard of care,” AHE Executive Director Patti Costello notes. “Ecolab is a natural choice for collaboration because as a company, they are a thought leader, a supporter of the advancement of the profession and a driver of overall quality outcomes.”

CSCT offers streamlined training through a train-the-trainer model intended to save organizations’ resources. It was first piloted at ThedaCare in Appleton, Wisconsin in September of 2017. Since then, the training has gained a great deal of exposure:

• Successful training sessions have been held at Renown Hometown Health in Reno, Nevada in October of 2017 as well as Baycare Health System in Clearwater, Florida in December of 2017.
• Upcoming training sessions are to be held at Cumberland Woods Village Legacy Theatre and Conference Center in Allison Park, Pennsylvania in May of 2018 and at Dignity Health in Henderson, Nevada in November of 2018.

As a corporate champion of AHE, the importance of the CSCT Program has resonated with Ecolab, the undisputed global leader in delivering cleaner, safer healthcare environments for patients and healthcare providers. “Ecolab’s collaborative solutions-driven approach helps increase efficiencies, improve patient outcomes and reduce the risk of HAIs for healthcare organizations” notes Ecolab Senior Marketing Manager Beth Hohl. “These objectives echo the goals of AHE, who is recognized as the authority in caring for the healthcare environment. Together, this partnership will undoubtedly lead to an impactful strategic alliance for the betterment of the healthcare environment as a whole.”

About Ecolab

A trusted partner at more than two million customer locations, Ecolab (ECL) is the global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services that protect people and vital resources. With annual sales of $14 billion and 48,000 associates, Ecolab delivers comprehensive solutions, data driven insights and on-site services to promote safe food, maintain clean environments, optimize water and energy use and improve operational efficiencies for customers in more than 170 countries.

For more Ecolab news and information, visit www.ecolab.com

About AHE

The Association for the Healthcare Environment (AHE) is a Professional Membership Group of the American Hospital Association. AHE is the professional organization of choice for professionals responsible for caring for the patient and resident care environment across all care settings; including hospitals, long term care, continuing care retirement communities and ambulatory care. AHE shapes professional practice, advances and promotes the profession and promotes awareness for over 2,300 professionals working to ensure a clean and safe healthcare environment and quality outcomes. www.ahe.org

References: 1. Spencer M, Edmiston CE Jr. The role of the OR environment in preventing surgical site infections. AORN Journal. 2014 Dec; 100(6):603-8