Project Firstline
Environmental Services Health Care Facilities Enhancing Teamwork Infection Contol Training

The vision of the Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) is the commitment to pathogen-free healing environments across all care settings. We are committed to being the go-to resource for best-in-class tools, products, education and training that raise the standards of the health care environmental services field. This critical work would not be possible without the commitment of environmental services (EVS) health care workers.

In every hospital, EVS Technicians are at the heart of the facility’s operations. They help build and maintain a facility’s culture of safety, often modeling the application of high-reliability practices that prevent and respond to systemic failure. They prioritize the cleaning and disinfecting of areas that pose immediate safety risks, helping to ensure that health-care-associated infections (HAIs) don’t spread. Above all, EVS Technicians truly care about their patients.

Our new campaign, "Where Quality Meets Service," aims to spotlight these vital team members, celebrating their dedication and highlighting the essential role they play in patient care and infection control.

EVS technicians are trained professionals who specialize in maintaining health care environments, ensuring that these facilities are not just clean, but also sanitized and safe for patients, visitors and health care personnel. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, EVS Technicians were on the front lines, ensuring that the spread of the virus was curtailed within hospital walls.

“The pandemic has taught us to champion our EVS staff as a critical part of our patient care teams,” explained Eric Nowak, associate vice president of environmental services at Geisinger. “It starts with inspiring greater collaboration between EVS technicians and infection prevention specialists systemwide.”

However, as the immediate crisis has waned, so too has the recognition of their vital contributions. This is more than just a lapse in acknowledgment — it affects morale and the broader perception of EVS roles, which is why our campaign is timely and essential. Through "Where Quality Meets Service," we aim to boost morale, encourage employment in this critical sector and correct the narrative surrounding these roles.

EVS health care workers are critical to preventing the spread of disease. Data presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention demonstrates that without their meticulous efforts, potentially lethal pathogens could survive on surfaces in a patient’s room for as long as 16 months. It’s estimated that every day, one in 31 hospital patients has at least one HAI. EVS technicians manage waste, disinfect operating rooms and ensure that the spaces used by patients, families and staff meet the highest standards of hygiene.

The stories of dedication and care among EVS Technicians are profound. Many take immense pride in their jobs, understanding that their work directly contributes to healing and saves lives. They not only help to maintain cleanliness, but also provide a sense of safety for those in a hospital setting.

Yet, despite their importance, there's a significant disparity in how EVS staff view themselves and how they are perceived by others. Many EVS Technicians have internalized the diminished view others have of their jobs.

Our campaign seeks to transform this perception, promoting a narrative that reflects the professionalism and crucial nature of EVS work. We spotlight successful programs our partners have developed to educate EVS Technicians and stakeholders about infection prevention and control. Further, we outline the career advancement opportunities for these frontline staff, helping to reward skill and increase staff retention.

“Where Quality Meets Service” seeks to elevate the status of EVS Technicians and inspire a new generation to join this important work. We will share stories of EVS staff, their challenges, their triumphs and the pride they take in their work. By doing so, we hope to foster a greater appreciation for these indispensable members of the health care community and ensure that they receive the respect and recognition they deserve.