Survey Shows Infection Preventionists Teaming Up With Environmental Services

Article

Cintas Corporation announces the results of an attendee survey conducted at the recent annual meeting of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) held in New Orleans in July. The survey was designed to better understand the relationship between infection prevention department and environmental services (EVS) in controlling healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs). The survey was completed by 100 infection prevention and control professionals.

Results showed that 79 percent of respondents indicated they work closely with the EVS department to establish cleaning protocols and ensure compliance. An additional 73 percent of respondents advised they were also involved in the selection of the cleaning products used within their facility.

Infection preventionists play a pivotal role in limiting the spread of bacteria and viruses in a healthcare environment, says Brent Shafer, vice president of healthcare at Cintas. By working closely with the EVS department, they can be a proponent for EVS to gain additional financial resources. This helps to improve overall levels of cleanliness, reducing cross contamination and infection.

Respondents also indicated a preference for microfiber as a cleaning tool. Of those surveyed, 52 percent indicated they implemented a microfiber program as the preferred method for cleaning patient rooms. Of those using microfiber, 98 percent felt that it demonstrated a positive contribution to their facilitys infection control efforts.

With growing concern over increasingly virulent microorganisms and cross-contamination in many healthcare environments, more facilities are stepping up their infection control efforts, says David Collette, director of new business development, marketing and strategy for Cintas. These survey findings show that infection preventionists and EVS personnel are working together and starting to use the right tools for the job. This is a great step forward to providing an infection-free environment for patients and visitors and hospital personnel.

Related Videos
Infection Control Today Topic of the Month: Mental Health
Infection Control Today Topic of the Month: Mental Health
Infection Control Today Topic of the Month: Mental Health
Cleaning and sanitizing surfaces in hospitals  (Adobe Stock 339297096 by Melinda Nagy)
An eye instrument holding an intraocular lens for cataract surgery. How to clean and sterilize it appropriately?   (Adobe Stock 417326809By Mohammed)
Set of white bottles with cleaning liquids on the white background. (Adobe Stock 6338071172112 by zolnierek)
Association for the Health Care Environment (Logo used with permission)
Woman lying in hospital bed (Adobe Stock, unknown)
Photo of a model operating room. (Photo courtesy of Indigo-Clean and Kenall Manufacturing)
Mona Shah, MPH, CIC, FAPIC, Construction infection preventionist  (Photo courtesy of Mona Shah)
Related Content