Researchers Compare In-house and Contracted Cleaning for Patient, Provider Satisfaction

Zoungrana and Traoré (2013) assert that there is lack of evidence proving the effectiveness and efficiency of the outsourcing of cleaning compared to in-house cleaning in the healthcare setting. The researchers sought to evaluate cleaning subcontracting, as well as to specifically assess the effectiveness of cleaning in comparison to standards and to discuss the factors explaining any gaps identified. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted July 4-10, 2011. The researchers used a questionnaire survey addressing the following items: work organization, human resources, cleaning procedures, material resources. Surface sampling was conducted 15 minutes after cleaning was performed.

The researchers found that 95 percent of patients feel that they were satisfied with the cleaning done by a private company; 75 percent of patients feel that they are not disturbed by the passage cleaning crews; 89 percent of patients report that their products used do not cause any discomfort; 77 percent of professionals are satisfied with the quality of cleaning (there was dissatisfaction on three points: transit schedules not suitable for some patients, lack of staff, staff discourteous); 93 percent of study participants prefer subcontracted cleaning rather than in-house cleaning.

Zoungrana and Traoré (2013) conclude that facilities should monitor subcontractors for apparent cleanliness and satisfaction of users and health professionals), as well as ensure training of cleaning staff, establish mechanisms for monitoring bacteriological quality surfaces and disinfectants.

Reference: Zoungrana J and Traoré A. Poster presentation P388 at the 2nd International Conference on Prevention and Infection Control (ICPIC 2013): Evaluation of the outsourcing of public hospital cleaning/case of university hospital Yalgado Ouedraogo. Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control 2013, 2(Suppl 1):P388.