Green Cleaning

Background

The process of cleaning and disinfecting healthcare facilities can involve potentially hazardous substances. Responsible, sustainable practices include reassessing the ways in which healthcare environments are cleaned and disinfected to maximize cleaning efficacy, moving to the use of “greener” cleaning products and materials where possible, and initiating utilization of green cleaning equipment and processes. It involves developing and implementing policies that support these practices, and continuously evaluating your progress. “Green” cleaning has become an integral part of efficient, effective, and environmentally sustainable operations in healthcare facilities.

Sustainable or “green” cleaning is about maintaining and improving cleanliness and supporting infection prevention and control while protecting patients, staff and the environment from the risks posed by cleaning materials and processes. Traditional cleaning products present a variety of human health and ecological concerns. They may contribute to poor indoor air quality and contain chemicals that cause cancer, reproductive disorders, respiratory ailments, eye and skin irritation, central nervous system impairment, and other human health effects.

Cleaning products have also been shown to be a primary cause of work-related asthma, particularly in nurses and cleaning staff. In addition, some of these products contain persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals (PBTs), are classified as hazardous waste, and/or otherwise contribute to environmental pollution during their manufacture, transport, use, and/or disposal. In health care settings, continuous 24/7 building occupancy leads to the requirement for cleaning while the building is occupied. Non-toxic and least-toxic cleaning products exist for nearly every health care facility need.

A New Cleaning Methodology

Green cleaning encompasses a broad set of practices and is not about simply switching one product for another. A successful program is focused on overall “quality cleaning” – standardized operations, effective tools and cleaning chemicals, uniform dispensing systems, comprehensive staff training, proper protective equipment and clearly written policies and protocols for the various levels of cleaning and response to blood and body fluid spills.

A green cleaning program must include ongoing performance evaluation and improvement. With planning and oversight, green cleaning provides a high-performance cleaning process that prioritizes infection prevention & control while reducing waste, risks to staff and patients and negative impacts on the environment. Practice Greenhealth provides assistance to help you navigate the process of adopting greener cleaning tools and techniques.

• Infection Prevention & Green Cleaning
• Green Cleaning Policy Development & Implementation
• Green Cleaning Products
• Green Cleaning Equipment
• Entryway Systems