Midhnab General Hospital

Policies & Procedures

Title/Description: Index Number: Version No: (4)

Cleaning Procedures And Schedules in the Hospital

(NICU) No. of Pages:6

Department: Infection Control Service
Effective Date: Review Due: Replaces Version: Applies To:
(3)

I. PURPOSE :
To outline the general housekeeping practices to be adopted in different areas
within the hospital.
II. POLICY :
All housekeeping personnel should be familiar with procedures and cleaning
practices in different areas of patient care within the hospital
III. PROCEDURE :
1.1. Housekeeping schedules are planned, written and closely followed.
1.2. Cleaning schedules are developed according to the needs of each areas.
1.3. The Infection Control practitioner should be familiar with housekeeping
procedures and schedules.
1.4. All housekeeping staff shall adhere to standard and pransmission based
precautions accordingly when cleaning a room.
1.5. Personal protective equipment shall be worn during all procedures especially for
transmission based isolation precautions for the patient’s in isolation rooms.
IV. RESPOSIBILITIES :
1.1 Contract managers and supervisors must assess the competency of employees by
observing the techniques of the workers using written criteria that have been
previously explained and demonstrated to the employees.
1.2 All housekeeping managers and supervisors who are responsible for the selection
and use of cleaning products and the education their staff shall have an
understanding of the differences between a disinfectant detergent and a non –
disinfectant cleaning agent
1.3 Infection prevention and control especially its environmental health and
occupational health &safety section must have a thorough knowledge of the
cleaning agents and disinfectants used by housekeeping services.
1.4 Environmental services must comply with all the applicable regulations and
standards of national and international safety regulations to prevent potential
contamination,minimise risk and maintain safe environment.
1.5 Patient Care Areas
1.5.1 Inpatient Rooms
1.5.1.1. Task to be performed daily and when patient is discharged
 High dusting
 Spot cleaning of walls, windows and doors
 Cleaning of light fixtures, ledges, tables, chairs, beds and floors
 Do terminal cleaning & disinfection [total cleaning of all the surfaces/all
equipments/furnitures with hospital approved disinfectant (chlorox) ]of all
patient care area after the patient discharge.
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 Midhnab General Hospital
Policies & Procedures

Title/Description: Index Number:

Cleaning Procedures And Schedules in the Hospital Version No: (4)
Department: Infection Control Service
No. of Pages: :6

1.5.2. Isolation Rooms

1.5.2.1.General Recommendations
1.5.2.1.1. Staff nurse/supervisor must inform housekeeping staff of any
essential precautions and appropriate PPE.
1.5.2.1.2. Adhere to recommended cleaning practices
1.5.2.1.3. Do daily decontamination of the isolation room last on the
schedule
1.5.2.1.4. Use designated cleaning equipment
1.5.2.1.5. The same daily cleaning procedures are used as for in patient
rooms.
1.5.2.2 Method
Assemble all appropriate cleaning materials and equipments needed
before entering the area to be cleaned.
• Cleaning sweeper
 Mop with long handles
 Disposable damp cloth or paper towels
 Detergent
 Mop-double/triple bucket
 Disinfectant solution(Hypochlorite)
1.5.2.2.2. Clean and disinfect frequent hand contact housekeeping surfaces
more frequently than minimal hand contact housekeeping surfaces.
1.5.2.2.3. Thoroughly clean the room with close attention being paid to cleaning
of patient equipment (e.g.sphygnomanometer, cardiac monitor, IV
pole, IV pump etc.).
1.5.2.2.4. Clean all horizontal surfaces including the floor and then disinfect
with 1,000ppm chlorine based solution(0.5%)
ie.50 ml Clorox + 5 liters of water
1.5.2.2.5. Discard dirty water and disinfect and dry buckets before reusing or
refilling.
1.5.2.2.6. Empty waste bin and replace the waste bag.
1.5.2.2.7. Handle all linen and curtains as infected linen and bag as per
Infection Control guidelines for the laundry.
1.5.2.2.8. Wipe the covers of bed mattress and pillows with water and
detergent. Disinfect and dry thoroughly.
1.5.2.2.9. Inspect pillows and mattress internally and externally
 Contaminated send for washing to the laundry
 Damaged-discard and replace

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 Midhnab General Hospital
Policies & Procedures

Title/Description: Index Number:

Cleaning Procedures And Schedules in the Hospital Version No: (4)
Department: Infection Control Service
No. of Pages: :6

1.5.2.2.10. Wash visibly contaminated walls with detergent and dry wipe with
disinfectant.
1.5.2.2.11. Discard all disposable items(paper towels, gloves etc.) as
contaminated clinical waste (yellow bags).
1.5.2.2.12. Thoroughly wash and disinfect cloth towels and mop heads after
use.
1.5.2.2.13. Thoroughly decontaminate and dry all cleaning equipment after use.
1.5.2.2.14. Remove all PPE and discard, wash hands, dry them thoroughly and
leave the room.
1.5.2.1. Procedure Rooms and Operating Room
1.5.3.1. At the beginning of each day, all flat (horizontal)surfaces (table, chairs,
etc.) are wiped with a clean, lint-free moist cloth to remove dust and
lint that may have collected overnight.
1.5.3.2. If walls and ceilings are deteriorating or damp, cover with clean plastic
sheets during procedures.
1.5.3.3. Total cleaning or terminal cleaning is not necessary between each
case for surgical procedures.
1.5.3.4. Clean procedure room floors with a disinfectant/detergent solution after
each case.
1.5.2.5. Use a wet vacuum system preferably. If a bucket and mop system is
used, use a clean mop head and fresh cleaning solution is for each
case.
1.5.2.6. Between each case, do the following:
 Spills. Clean spills with a 0.5% chlorine solution as outlined in the policy
for management of spills
 Operating Room table/bed- Wipe all surfaces and mattress pads with a
disinfectant cleaning solution.
 Instrument tables(trolley and mayo stand) and other flat
surfaces- Wipe all flat surfaces that have come in immediate contact with
a patient or body fluids with a disinfectant cleaning solution.
 Centre of Operating room surrounding the operating room
table/bed- Mop with a disinfectant cleaning solution (if visibly soiled).
Clean 3 to 4 foot perimeter around the table. Extend the cleaning area if
greater contamination has occurred.
 Waste- Collect and remove all waste from the operating room in closed
leak proof containers.

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 Midhnab General Hospital
Policies & Procedures

Title/Description: Index Number:

Cleaning Procedures And Schedules in the Hospital Version No: (4)
Department: Infection Control Service
No. of Pages: :6

 Sharps containers- Close and remove containers from the operating

room when they are three quarters full.
 Soiled linen- remove soiled linen in leak proof, covered waste container.
1.5.3.7.Total/Terminal Cleaning
1.5.3.7.1. Total cleaning or terminal cleaning (mopping floors and
scrubbing all surfaces from top to bottom) of the operating
room is done at the end of each day.
1.5.3.7.2. All areas of the surgical suite, scrub sinks, scrub or utility areas,
hallways and equipment are totally cleaned, regardless of
whether they were used during the 24 hour surgery period.
1.5.3.7.3. Do not dry mop or sweep the operating room.
1.5.3.4. Remove covered contaminated waste container and replace it
with a clean container.
1.5.3.5. Close and remove sharps container when three quarter full.
1.5.3.6. Remove soiled linen in closed leak proof container.
1.5.3.7. Soak a cloth in disinfectant cleaning solution and wipe down all
Surfaces including counters, tabletops, sinks, lights, etc. Wash
from top to bottom, so that any debris that falls on the floor will
be cleaned up last.
1.5.3.8.Walls and ceilings- Wipe with a damp cloth, detergent and water
as needed for visible soiling.
1.5.3.9. Chairs, lamps, sinks, table tops, and counters- Wipe with
damp cloth and disinfectant cleaning solution.
1.5.3.10. Operating room lamp- Wipe with a damp cloth and
disinfectant cleaning solution.
1.5.3.11.Operating room table/bed- Wipe with 0.5%chlorine solution.
Then clean top, sides, base, legs and any accessories (e.g., leg
stirrups) with a damp cloth and disinfectant cleaning solution
1.5.3.12.Floors- Clean with wet mop using a disinfectant cleaning solution
The double-or triple-bucket method is recommended for the
cleaning of the operating room and other areas of the surgical
suite.
1.5.3.13.Vents- (heating or air conditioning)- Wipe with a damp cloth,
soap and water.
1.5.3.14. Carry out routine cleaning of the ventilation grills, shelves and
cabinets in the operating room.

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 Midhnab General Hospital
Policies & Procedures

Title/Description: Index Number:

Cleaning Procedures And Schedules in the Hospital Version No: (4)
Department: Infection Control Service
No. of Pages: :6

1.5.3. Examination Rooms

1.5.4.1. Wipe horizontal surfaces with a disinfectant cleaning solution after
each procedure and whenever visibly soiled.
1.5.4.2. Change linen or paper on the examination table after each patient.
1.5.4.3. Clean blood or other body fluid spills as per policy
1.5.4.4. Mop floors daily with disinfectant cleaning solution. In case of
carpets vacuum daily.
1.5.4.5. Change suction containers if present.
1.5.4.6. Empty waste containers daily.
1.5.4. Laboratory
1.5.5.1. Wipe countertops with a disinfectant cleaning solution after each
shift and whenever visibly soiled (lab personnel may be assigned
this task).
1.5.5.2. Clean blood or other body fluid spills as per policy.
1.5.5.3. Collect waste daily or more frequently if required.
1.5.5.4. Remove and replace sharps containers when three quarters full.
1.5.5.5. Mop floors daily with disinfectant cleaning solution.
1.5.5. Nurseries and Neonatal Units
1.5.6.1. Mop floors daily with disinfectant cleaning solution.
1.5.6.2. Clean blood or other body fluid spills as per policy.
1.5.6.3. Collect waste daily.
1.5.6.4. Remove and replace sharps container when three quarters full
1.5.6.5. Do not use phenolics or any other chemical germicide to disinfect
bassinets or incubators during an infant’s stay.
1.5.6.6. Rinse disinfectant-treated surfaces, with water.
1.5.6.7. When using phenolics disinfectants in neonatal units, prepare
solution to correct concentrations in accordance with manufacturer’s
instructions, or use premixed formulations.
1.5.6. Offices and Conference Room
1.5.7.1. Weekly dusting and cleaning or vacuuming is adequate unless
visibly soiled.
1.5.7.2 .Collect waste daily.
IV. REFERENCE (S):
1. CDC. Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Healthcare Facilities. 2003/52
(RR 10); 1-42.
2. Teresa Chou. Environmental Services. APIC Text of Infection Control and
Epidemiology. 2002; 73-1 – 73-6.

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 Midhnab General Hospital
Policies & Procedures

Title/Description: Index Number:

Cleaning Procedures And Schedules in the Hospital Version No: (4)
Department: Infection Control Service
No. of Pages: :6

3. Ministry of Health; General Directorate: Healthcare Facilities Housekeeping Policy,

2009
2. Teresa Chou. Environmental Services. APIC text of Infection Control and
Epidemiology. 2002; 73- 1 – 73 -6.
3. Ministry of Health; General Directorate: Health Care Facilities Housekeeping
Policy 2009

V. APPROVAL:

NAME SIGNATURE TITLE DATE

Prepared By: IC Practitioner

Reviewed By: IC Officer

IC Director
SRACO Company
Manager

T.Q.M.Director
Approved by: Chairman of ICC &
Hospital Director

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