Believe it or not, aged care cleaning is perhaps one of the most important tasks an aged care provider needs to carry out.
Since elderly individuals and even those who are beyond their 70s are more prone to infections due to chronic illnesses and weakened immunity. This makes maintaining a high level of hygiene and cleanliness in aged care facilities critical so that the spread of infections among the residents can be contained within the facility.
You must not only implement robust, standardized cleaning procedures and consistent training your cleaning staff can follow but maintain cleanliness regulations that are required by authorities.
But how do you get started with aged care facility cleaning to ensure your Melbourne facility stays neat and tidy all the time? What process can you follow to maintain strict hygiene standards? We’ve curated a handy checklist you can follow for your facility to ensure maximum hygiene.
Dive Deep into Surface Sterilisation
Keeping surfaces, including floors, spotless is key to preserving hygiene in aged care facilities. It’s easy for surfaces to turn into breeding grounds for infectious pathogens, which can then spread onto commonly touched items.
Using microfiber cloths that effectively capture dust particles can significantly reduce airborne particles indoors. It’s best to vacuum only in rooms with good ventilation. Additionally, wiping surfaces with a neutral detergent and warm water and then rinsing them ensures minimal chemical exposure for residents.
Special care should be taken to clean frequently touched surfaces and items such as doorknobs, beds, dressers, and windows.
Address Moisture-prone Areas
Areas frequently exposed to moisture are breeding grounds for bacteria. Private bathrooms should be cleaned at least once a day, with communal bathrooms needing more frequent attention.
Beyond just floors and walls, all toilets, sinks, washbasins, showers, and tubs need to be sanitised. Likewise, all fixtures should be scrubbed daily. It’s best to begin cleaning the cleanest areas first to prevent the spread of dirt, dust, and pathogens.
Try Different Mop Combinations
Pairing different types of mopping like wet and dry mopping can minimize the chance of mop water contamination before the room is completely cleaned.
As both dry and wet mopping are effective cleaning methods, we suggest using a microfiber mop head. It excels at trapping particles and is easy to clean. Remember, it’s best to wash microfiber cloths after each use.
Sanitise Contamination-prone Substances
Exposure to bodily fluids carries a risk and can significantly increase the chance of infection. Swift removal and sanitisation of such spills are essential to limit disease transmission.
Using specialized spill sweeping tools is an efficient way to manage this risk. For instance, absorbent mop heads can turn liquids into a gel form, eliminating leakage. After discarding the hazardous matter into a designated bin, be sure to disinfect and rinse the area.
Ensure Laundry Maintenance
Resident linens should be replaced weekly or whenever they are soiled. Dirty linens should be kept in bins until they’re ready for laundering.
Never rinse or sort linens in resident areas. Also, heavily soiled linen should be bagged to avoid leakage.
Dispose Waste Properly
In aged care facilities, it’s vital to segregate general, clinical, and pharmaceutical waste and dispose of them separately. General waste should be securely stored until it’s collected and removed from the facility. Regularly emptying waste bins can reduce the risk of bacteria exposure.
Clinical waste should always be put in biohazard bags and discarded in specially designated bins. Any unused or leftover pharmaceuticals should be safely returned to a pharmacy for appropriate disposal.
Practice Daily Hygiene and Hand Care Practices
Always be aware of the risks associated with handling potentially hazardous substances, and use personal protective equipment.
This includes gloves, face masks, and eye protection, which can help prevent infection spread and protect from exposure to cleaning chemicals. Make it a habit to wash hands frequently, especially before interacting with residents.
Keep Note of Every Task
Not only should all cleaning methods be documented, but every instance of cleaning activity should also be recorded. Keeping records allows staff and supervisors to confirm that all required tasks have been carried out to the appropriate standards.
Cleaning staff should note when each task is completed and who did the work. If issues arise, they should be documented and escalated to someone who can address non-compliance. For example, if cleaning supplies run out, a manager should arrange to replenish them.
Bonus: Consulting an Aged Care Cleaning Provider
When it comes to delivering top-notch aged care cleaning services (in Melbourne or where your facility resides) for independent living centres, cleaning providers offer great assistance and can do all the heavy lifting for you.
Certified cleaning experts from such companies are not only experienced but also fully trained in specialised areas such as Infection Prevention and can recognise the crucial role of adhering to all industry codes as well as regulations and other key standards needed to ensure a safe, clean environment.
These companies take a holistic approach to aged care sanitising in Melbourne and cities across Australia. It’s not just about cleaning the facility, but also about understanding and respecting the unique needs of seniors. Their cleaning team can also act as an integrated part of the in-house staff, ensuring every nook and cranny is kept impeccably clean.
Now that you have a handy framework at hand to make your aged care cleaning easier, you can finally get started with your aged care cleaning process. Or, simply reach out to us at Keen to Clean to save all the hassle. We are one of the most reputed aged care cleaning companies in Melbourne and can help you with all the cleaning responsibilities, ensuring your facility stays pristine for years to come. Book a consultation now.
