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QUEENSLAND CORRECTIVE SERVICES
APPENDIX – CLEANING STANDARDS FOR QUEENSLAND HEALTH CENTRES LOCATED WITHIN CORRECTIVE SERVICES FACILITIES***
Availability: *Public/*Unclassified/*X-In-Confidence/*Protected/*Highly Protected Implement Date: 24 December 2008
(* delete as applicable)

Refer procedure – Domestic/Cleaning Staff

CLEANING STANDARDS FOR QUEENSLAND HEALTH CENTRES

LOCATED WITHIN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES

1. Introduction 1

2. Training 2

3. Cleaning 2

4. Cleaning Solutions 2

5. Cleaning Equipment 2

6. Quality Management 3

7. Special Cleaning Considerations: 3

8. General Cleaning 3

8.1 Carpet Shampooing 4

8.2 Hard Surface Maintenance: Static Mopping 5

9. Health Centre Toilet/s Area 8

10. Waste Management: Removal of General and Contaminated Waste 9

11. Guidelines For The Cleaning Of Health Centre Areas 10

1. Introduction

Consistent with the Queensland Government’s strategy for delivery of quality, cost effective services, health care cleaning should provide a consistent, high quality, efficient and effective cleaning service which recognises the importance of cleaning and the vital role it plays in infection control within health care facilities.

A professional approach to cleaning and hygiene is demanded in all health care facilities. Hygiene is of paramount importance and it is essential that appropriate quality standards are maintained.

It is acknowledged that at the time of implementing these cleaning standards, corrective servicesonal facilities will be at varying stages of compliance. It is envisaged that within the first 12 months of implementation, a continuous quality assurance system will be in place in all facilities to monitor all aspects of cleaning.

In an environment of continuous change, cleaning services must be responsive to future variations in service demand and therefore, continually changing to meet the needs of client groups.

Most of the infections in health care facilities are caused by bacteria which are predominantly spread on the hands of health care workers. The inanimate environment of a health facility poses minimal risk in the endemic spread of infection. However, the environment may occasionally be the source of an outbreak. Compliance with standard and additional precautions should further reduce the risk of cross infection.

2. Training

Training for supervisors and cleaners must be considered an integral component of the strategy to achieve standardised cleaning services. Prisoners Offenders are required to undertake training in all aspects of cleaning before undertaking employment in cleaning positions within the Queensland Health centre.

The following principles are a guideline for infection control and environmental cleaning services in Queensland Health centres situated within correctional corrective services facilities.

3. Cleaning—

a)  is the removal of soil and reduction in the number of micro-organisms from a surface.

b)  This includes contaminants such as dust, soil, large number of micro-organisms and the organic matter (e.g. faeces, blood) that protects them.

c)  microbes are unable to multiply on clean, dry inanimate surfaces.

d)  body fluid contamination or spills to must be cleaned immediately.

e)  damp dusting is the preferred method of dust control, particularly for high cleaning, to reduce the amount of dust in the environment.

f)  Dust should cling to the damp duster, the surface should be left slightly damp not wet. Surfaces should dry within approximately a minute.

g)  The use of spray bottles is not recommended due to the risk of solution contamination at the time of decanting and the potential hazard of aerosolisation of micro-organisms.

4. Cleaning solutions

a)  Neutral detergent and water is generally used for routine cleaning.

b)  One percent (1%) sodium hypochlorite to be used to decontaminate blood and body fluid spills.

c)  The selection of cleaning solutions should be determined in consultation with infection control.

d)  Standardisation of cleaning solutions is recommended.

5. Cleaning equipment

a)  Selection, cleaning/maintenance and storage of equipment is to be documented and periodically audited.

b)  For manual cleaning, a dual bucket with roller system is recommended. The water is to be changed frequently.

c)  Mop heads are to be detachable and laundered after each use.

d)  When dry dusting, equipment which traps and contains dust is recommended. Used items are to be laundered or disposed of, not shaken out and re-used.

e)  The use of brooms and feather dusters within health care facilities is not appropriate.

f)  Equipment used for wet cleaning is to be disposable or able to be laundered.

g)  Portable vacuum cleaners are to be fitted with an appropriate filter.

h)  A guide to the frequency of cleaning in health care facilities can be located in the Queensland Health Cleaning Service Policy and Standards for Public Sector Health Care Facilities. Relevant sections of this document have been amended for the correctional environment and are included at the end of this document.

Recommended frequency rates: Excessive cleaning frequencies and over application of cleaning products does not add any value and may shorten the life of fabrics and floor materials. Too much is as bad as too little.

The application of these frequencies and the use of well established methods of cleaning, along with appropriate equipment will result in a clean environment at an acceptable cost.

6. Quality management

·  To monitor cleaning, it is recommended that audit tools be developed The frequency of audits to be determined by Nurse Unit Managers.

·  Environmental cultures (swabs etc) are not appropriate for assessing the standard of cleaning.

7. Special cleaning considerations:

Refer Queensland Health Policy for Handwashing and Hand Hygiene policy see http://www.health.qld.gov.au/chrisp/ic_guidelines/appendix_A.pdf

Hands should be washed—

: before entering work area;

before and after use of toilet; and

after smoking, using tissue/handkerchief.

Use of Gloves – gloves are to be used once and discarded.

Change Gloves – after 30 minutes of use or if torn or damaged; and

on completion of one task before starting another cleaning task.

· 

NOTE:

·  If any reaction to glove powder, or chemicals – report to Supervisor and fill out an accident/incident form.

Be aware that wearing gloves does not replace the need for hand washing as gloves may have defects which are not immediately obvious or may become damaged during use.

8. General cleaning

Sink Stainless Steel – Chrome Taps—

(a)  wipe with a damp cloth and approved cleaner, removing water marks and other residues; and.

(b)  repeat with dry cloth.

Walls – Fittings—

(a)  remove dust, finger marks and spillages with detergent and water (damp cloth); and

(b)  high cleaning for dust and marks use a ‘Squeeze Mop’.

Floor – Vinyl—

vacuum or static mop floor first, then using mop and mop bucket containing detergent and hot water, mop floor.

Doors – Door Vents—

(a)  wipe doors free of dust, marks and spots with detergent and water (damp cloth); and

(b)  remove dust and stains from door vents with a damp cloth and wipe with a dry cloth.

Ceiling – Ceiling Vents and Fittings—

clean as per duty lists provided by Nurse Unit Manager.

Desks – Furnishings—

(a)  wipe with a damp cloth removing dust and stains, and then repeat with a dry cloth.

Phones—

wipe with a damp cloth. Wipe with dry cloth.

Carpet Floor Area—

vacuum floors. Spot clean if needed. Shampoo as necessary.

Waste Paper—

(a)  remove waste bin liner and waste;

(b)  wipe inside and outside of bin with water and detergent (damp cloth) to remove stains and spillages; and

(c)  replace with new plastic bin liner.

Hand Basins—

(a)  apply water to moisten hand basin; and

(b)  commence cleaning using approved cleaner.

8.1 Carpet shampooing

Workplace Health and Safety precautions—:

·  always wear gloves when cleaning and emptying;

·  correct use of chemicals;

·  follow manufacturer’s instructions at all times; and

·  check equipment for any faults and report to supervisor.

Care of Equipment – follow manufacturer’s instructions—

·  always empty tank and then rise out and drain completely;.

·  wipe over all of machine, wash brushes and hang to dry;.

·  store all equipment in specified area; and.

·  coil electrical cords safely.

Process—

·  remove as much furniture as possible;.

·  pre-spray any soiled area and spot clean as necessary;.

·  set up shampooing machine, following manufacturer’s instructions strictly as stated;.

·  shampoo carpet, finishing set area before starting another area;.

·  do not leave carpet too wet. Extract as much water as possible with machine;

·  remove safety signs when carpet is dry; and.

·  replace all furniture.

8.2 Hard surface maintenance: static mopping

Note: Do not use mop on wet, damp or sticky floors.

Workplace Health & Safety Precautions: Check handle is in safe condition, has no splits or splintered areas.

Equipment—

·  static mop and spare fringe;

·  bannister brush;

·  dust pan; and

·  gloves.

Process—

·  starting point is determined by convenience for staff;

·  place mop firmly on the floor and push mop forward in one direction. Do not lift mop from the floor until mopping is finished in the selected area;.

·  if mopping is interrupted, dust must be cleared away and placed in waste bin;.

·  do not shake mop, until all floors are finished;.

·  when turning, turn mop on half circle and continue pushing mop forward;.

·  when finished put on gloves; hold mop over rubbish bin;

·  shake excess dirt off, then brush rest of dirt of fringe; and.

·  store mop standing-fringe up.

Care of fringe—

:

·  wearing gloves, remove fringe from frame;.

·  wash fringe in mild detergent and warm water solution; and

·  hang up to dry.

Buffing

·  Workplace Health and Safety precautions—

·  :

·  check electrical cords, plugs, polisher and brushes/pads for any equipment damage;.

·  have polisher set at correct height for individual use;.

·  cord must be kept behind machine at all times and out of way of polishing floor area; and.

·  to remove or replace brush: follow manufacturer instructions.

Infection Control precautions—

:

·  change brushes and pads when soiled to avoid machining dirt into the floor; and.

·  ensure machine filters are changed on a regular basis.

Equipment—

·  polisher fitted with brush or buffing pad; and

·  nylon hand pad for spot cleaning of floor.

Process—

·  inspect floor for any spillages, spot mop; and

·  commence buffing floor with polisher, spot cleaning with hand pad if necessary.

Dry Vacuuming

Workplace Health and Safety Precautions—

·  check cord and plug for damage before using machine, if damaged, report to Supervisor and arrange for replacement machine;.

·  cord is NOT to be coiled across floor;.

·  plug must not be removed by jerking the cord;.

·  switch machine “OFF” before removing plug from power point; and.

·  switch machine off immediately if there is a burning smell, smoke or sparks or an unusual noise coming from the vacuum. Report to supervisor.

Equipment—

:

·  vacuum cleaner and correct attachments;

·  dust pan and brush; and

·  dusting cloths and gloves.

Care of Equipment and Storage: always follow manufacturer’s instructions.

Disposable bag type—

·  check bag, change if required and wipe over and inside of vacuum with damp cloth;

·  reassemble machine ready for use; and

·  store hose and attachments in appropriate place.

Removable dust filter bag type—

–

·  wearing gloves, remove filter bag, hold over waste bin and brush excess dust particles from filter;.

·  empty dust/dirt from bowl, spray with solution, wipe over and inside with damp cloth;.

·  reassemble machine ready for use;.

·  store hose and attachments in appropriate place; and

·  this procedure is suitable for Back Pak vacuum also.

Scrubbing

Workplace Health and Safety precautions—

:

·  wet floor signs placed in correct position with all scrubbing procedures;.

·  follow manufacturer’s instructions for all electrical cleaning equipment;.

·  correct quantity when using chemicals;

·  amount of water used not excessive;.

·  check all equipment and report to Supervisor any faults with all cleaning equipment;.

·  advisable to use power safety pack with electrical equipment; and.

·  gloves to be worn when cleaning up all equipment.

Equipment—

·  polyvac/polisher – using brush or nylon pad;

·  rotowash/duplex/Nilfish scrubbing machines;

·  deck scrubber;

·  wringer buckets and mops;

·  wet floor signs/caution signs; and

·  gloves.

Polyvac/polisher—

·  when polyvac/polisher is used for scrubbing always ensure vacuum motor is turned off;.

·  mix chemical and water in one (1) bucket and have one (1) bucket of clean rinsing water;.

·  apply solution to floor area approximately 4 metres x 4 metres at a time and scrub with polisher;.

·  mop up soiled solution then mop over with clean water;.

·  recoat with specified solution;.

·  change rinsing water frequently leaving floor as dry as possible;.

·  buff with polisher using clean brush following buffing procedure; and .

·  clean polyvac polisher after scrubbing floor, wash brushes and hang to dry.

Scrubbing machine—

·  follow manufacturer’s instructions correctly;.

·  scrub floor as directed;.

·  clean up and leave machine clean and ready for use again; and.

·  remove brush – wash – hang to dry.

Rotowash scrubber—

:

·  for use on tiled floors: bathroom, toilets and showers etc;.

·  have one (1) bucket with solution and water and one (1) bucket clean rinsing water;.

·  mop up soiled solution then rinse floor area with clean water;.

·  change clean rinsing water frequently;.

·  repeat process until floor area being scrubbed is finished;.

·  clean all equipment and store safely in cleaning room;.

·  buckets to be rinsed out and left upside down to drain;.

·  mop heads changed; and.

·  wet floor signs stored in cleaning rooms when floor is dry.

9. Health centre toilet/s area

Standard Required: Free from stains, water spots, mould and residue to maintain toilet area hygiene.

Mirror—

·  wipe mirror frame and stainless steel ledge over with damp cloth; and

·  dry off residue with dry cloth.

Hand basin and surrounds—

·  apply approved cleanser;

·  clean using cloth pad;