Resource Library

When health care organizations recognize that it takes a combination of approaches to keep their restrooms clean, they can then build upon an effective strategy to maintain restrooms at a service level that not only meets the expectations of users but also helps to protect their health.

Environmental services in hospitals and health care facilities fight to control the spread of pathogens and improve patient outcomes.

An overview of five significant changes in health care.

In April 2016, new guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America and Society for Health Epidemiology of America were released. Recommendations for effective antibiotic stewardship programs include preauthorization and prospective review of antibiotics, physician and pharmacist leadership and program design that focuses on the specific problems and resources of the healthcare facility.

In 2013, the FDA issued a Safety Communication warning that damaged mattress covers pose a risk of cross-contamination and patient infection, and recommended regular inspections of patient mattresses for any visible signs of damage such as tears, cuts, punctures, abrasions or staining. Despite this warning, there may be reasons why damaged mattresses continue to circulate in healthcare facilities.

An overview of three main areas of development where manufacturers and distributors of health care linens are concentrating their efforts. These were all identified as important factors in addressing the needs of the aging population, and work is being done throughout the industry to strive to address these developing needs.

We asked Terri Nelson, RN, MA, value analysis manager with Mayo Clinic, a few questions about selecting the best health care textile products.

Gail Fraine, RN, MMHC, BSN, CIC shares tips on minimizing risk and increasing safety when it comes to preventing disease transmission.

Visiting a potential health care laundry is a must and should include relevant representatives from environmental services and infection prevention. During the visit, focus the evaluation on the Three Ps: the plant, the personnel, and the process.

During a session titled “Environmental Services, Infection Prevention, and Health Care Laundry: Partners in Textile Hygiene,” speakers detailed how St. Mary’s (a 391-licensed bed, not-for-profit hospital) partnered with its laundry provider to enhance management practices.

“Can a robot clean a hospital room just as well as a human?” Let’s look at a few facts by dissecting the question and answering some questions of our own.

Given the amount of time that environmental services technicians spend with the patients they serve on a daily basis, the utilization of a facility-wide TeamSTEPPS® program can actively engage staff members across all disciplines with the overarching goal of improving quality and safety, the patient experience, and also reducing associated health care costs.

As a follow-up to a health update entitled HAN 00382 and distributed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on September 11, 2015, the CDC and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are providing this update to rescind the following recommendation.

Environmental services staff provide an essential patient service that should not be overlooked, but is most often not recognized or acknowledged, and usually discounted.

The best culture in a health care organization is a “connection culture.” “Connection” is defined as a bond based on shared identity, empathy, and understanding that moves individuals toward group-centered membership.

As more and more research unfolds regarding preventing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), it is very apparent that cleanliness is as critical to a hospital’s successful operation as any clinical function that takes place within the health care institution.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is estimated that one out of every 25 hospitalized patients will contract a health-care-associated infection (HAI). Each year HAIs are a documented source of increased mortality and morbidity, significant costs for care delivery, and have a negative impact on the patient experience.

Colby C. Morris shares best practices for education, training, and keeping staff engaged in those activities.

Greg May, BA, CHESP highlights upcoming AHE programs and events.

Same old, same old, over and over again. Environmental services leaders are required to train their staff on cleaning procedures, safety topics, and human resources policies. Teaching the same topics year after year gets flat out boring—even for the leaders! Here are some ideas used at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to brighten up the training and get the staff engaged and involved.