(Note from Tony: you may ask why we're dedicating two posts to hospital housekeeping! For Nick's hospital and for many others, housekeeping is a key factor for patient safety, quality, infection control, and patient loyalty!) Read Part I here. Read why I dedicated my first hosting of Grand Rounds to a hospital cleaning lady.

by Nick Jacobs

The Critical Care Unit is always a priority area in the hospital. There is never any waiting at all there. When the CCU calls, the staff goes immediately into action. All equipment is cleaned, disinfected, and cared for after each patient. Special care is taken in this unit due to the nature of the types of services performed there, i.e., blood borne pathogens, special emergency procedures, and critical cases sometimes lead to extra maintenance issues for staff, but there are no short cuts taken here.

The Palliative Care Unit also presents special challenges. It is used for pain control, respite for the families and end of life situations. This unit often times might have its own washer and dryer and housekeeping takes care of the patient’s personal items here. This includes special types of care, i.e., Afghans are cleaned, folded and made available for patients.

Some hospitals use walkie talkies for housekeeping staff to keep in constant contact with nursing stations, and whomever is closest helps on the call.

The Operating Room Floor is scrubbed and buffed every week constantly. Each surgical suite is disinfected after each case, and special mops specifically for the OR are used there only.

Generally the public areas and public restrooms are monitored throughout the day to be sure that everything is available and clean. The same holds true for patient lounges. Because patient lounges have refreshments for families, they are monitored very closely.

Infectious areas are also addressed very watchfully. Depending on the type of infection, various precautions can be taken. Usually all equipment that typically is in a patient’s room that is not needed by the infected patient is removed. That limits the need for infection control to just the area immediately around the patient.

Specific chemicals can be used to kill respiratory infections. The housekeeping staff will wear masks, use gloves, and separate cleaning cloths will be used for each room. Special hand sanitizers are also used.

Finally, chemicals can be added to disinfectants to improve the aroma. It is a nicer, non-antiseptic odor. Air fresheners are also used in bathrooms and all throughout hospital.