A Scientific Approach to Infection Control & Prevention
Hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities are places where people seek treatment, recover from illnesses, and receive care. However, these environments can also be breeding grounds for harmful pathogens, putting patients, staff, and visitors at risk of nosocomial infections. This is where Indoor Environmental Hygiene (IEH) assessment comes into play.
We provide hospitals with the tools and expertise needed to break the chain of infection.
6 Ways that IEH Assessment could Contribute to Medical & Healthcare Sectors
Identifying Contamination Hotspots
IEH assessment helps identify high-touch surfaces and areas that are more prone to contamination, such as bed rails, door handles, medical equipment, and waiting room furniture. By pinpointing these hotspots, hospitals can prioritize their cleaning and disinfection efforts to effectively reduce the risk of pathogen transmission.
Ensuring Compliance with Hygiene Standards
Hospitals are subject to strict hygiene regulations and standards to maintain a safe environment for patients and staff. IEH assessment provides a means to monitor and verify compliance with these standards, helping hospitals avoid penalties and maintain their reputation for cleanliness and quality care.
Optimizing Cleaning and Disinfection Protocols
IEH assessment data can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of current cleaning and disinfection practices. By analyzing the results, hospitals can identify areas for improvement and optimize their protocols to ensure the highest level of hygiene.
Preventing Nosocomial Infections
Nosocomial infections, also known as hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), pose a significant threat to patient safety and can lead to prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and even mortality. Regular IEH assessments can help prevent the spread of pathogens like MRSA, VRE, Acinetobacter, norovirus, and Clostridium difficile, which are commonly associated with HAIs.
Enhancing Patient and Staff Confidence
A clean and hygienic hospital environment instills confidence in patients and their families, assuring them that they are receiving care in a safe and well-maintained facility. Moreover, a robust IEH assessment program boosts staff morale and demonstrates the hospital's commitment to their well-being.
Facilitating Evidence-Based Decision Making
Regular IEH assessments generate valuable data that can inform decision-making processes within the hospital. This data can be used to allocate resources effectively, justify investments in new technologies or training programs, and develop targeted interventions to address specific hygiene challenges.
Top 3 Risky Areas in a Medical & Healthcare Setting based on our IEH Findings from Hospitals
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Waiting Area Furniture and Shared Items
Waiting areas in hospitals see a high volume of traffic, with patients and visitors from diverse backgrounds. Furniture such as chairs, tables, and armrests can become heavily contaminated with respiratory viruses, including influenza and coronaviruses. Shared items like magazines, toys, or vending machines can also harbor these pathogens. Additionally, HAI-related bacteria like MRSA and VRE can persist on these surfaces, potentially infecting vulnerable patients.
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High-Touch Surfaces in Consultation Rooms and Wards
These include examination beds, bedside tables, call buttons, and medical equipment like stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs. These surfaces can harbor a wide range of HAI-related pathogens, such as Clostridium difficile, Acinetobacter, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Respiratory viruses can also persist on these surfaces, especially if proper hand hygiene and disinfection protocols are not followed.
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Doctor's Chairs and Computer Equipment
While the working tables and countertops are easier to be kept clean, doctor’s chairs and computer equipment are often overlooked but can be significant reservoirs of both HAI-related and respiratory pathogens. The high frequency of touching by different staff members could be a source of microbial cross-contamination. Viruses can also be deposited on these surfaces by coughing, sneezing, or touching, while HAI-related bacteria can be transferred via contaminated hands.