New VeriClean System from Diversey Improves Healthcare Cleaning Program Effectiveness

Sealed Airs Diversey business introduces the VeriClean System, a programmatic, evidence-based approach to improve the cleaning and disinfection of high touch surfaces in the healthcare setting. 

The program integrates products, processes, training and validation into a continuous improvement process designed to enhance staff knowledge and improve cleaning outcomes.  In turn, this reduces risk by limiting the transmission of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). 

Studies have shown that many of the highest risk healthcare-associated pathogens, including multi-drug resistant organisms, can survive on surfaces for months.  High touch surfaces also play a significant role in the transmission of pathogens to susceptible patients, says Salah Qutaishat, PhD, CIC, FSHEA, clinical advisor for infection prevention, Diversey.  Implementation of a programmatic approach that includes enhancement of environmental cleaning and disinfection procedures, increased education of staff and implementation of a cleaning validation program can significantly reduce the risk of HAIs.

The first step of the VeriClean System includes consultation from Diversey consultants to help facilities select the right cleaning methods, disinfectants and tools to optimize the cleaning and disinfection process. Customized training tools are then developed in collaboration with the facility to detail best practices for cleaning patient rooms and other areas.

The VeriClean System enables facilities to assess the effectiveness of cleaning processes through the use of surface testing and web-based audit software.  The VeriClean Fluorescent Marking Spray allows facility managers to mark high touch surfaces.  After cleaning, the facility managers use a UV light to see if the marking spray was removed from the marked surfaces. Complete removal confirms that the surfaces were adequately cleaned by the staff.  The results of the testing are then captured by iMAP software. 

The iMAP software incorporates a web-based data collection and reporting platform which allows data collection from multiple monitoring methods. This gives facilities flexibility in implementing a cleaning validation program that satisfies Options for Evaluating Environmental Cleaning, a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Reporting from the iMAP software is available 24/7 and can be downloaded in a variety of formats so that it can be easily analyzed and incorporated into presentations and training materials.  Facilities can then drive continuous improvement of the cleaning process, further reducing the risk of infection transmission.

By using the VeriClean System, managers can ensure that staff members are properly trained and that high touch surfaces are being properly cleaned, says Carolyn Cooke, vice president of healthcare, Diversey. Using the marking spray also provides a cost-effective way to measure surface cleanliness and allows facilities to continually improve their cleaning program effectiveness.