IEHA, Cintas release list of best practices for reducing HAIs within healthcare facility

In lieu of recent changes in guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) calling for increased cleaning performance and integration of new auditing controls to regulate cleaning efficacy, Cintas Corporation and the International Executive Housekeepers Association (IEHA) today released a list of best practices for reducing healthcare acquired infections (HAIs) and enhancing levels of cleanliness within a healthcare facility.

"The days of infection prevention and environmental service departments working autonomously are over," said J. Darrel Hicks, REH, author of Infection Prevention for Dummies. "These new guidelines clearly demonstrate the increased need for cooperation between the two departments and the need for a reevaluation of current cleaning programs in place."

Recent hospital studies found that only 25 to 45 percent of touch points nearest the patient met the definition of "clean" according to research criteria. Interventions raised the rate of clean to 75 percent. To improve cleaning performance and help reduce opportunities for HAIs, Cintas and IEHA recommend the following:

"Environmental service departments play an integral role in infection prevention efforts," added Brent Schafer, Vice President of Healthcare, Cintas. "By following these best practices, healthcare organizations can coordinate efforts and keep high touch surfaces free of infection."

Source: Cintas Corporation