Maintaining clean and sanitary conditions is a constant battle for most hospitals. Hospital-acquired infections are the most common adverse event in intensive care units around the country, pointing to a need for rigorous cleanroom cleaning methods to counteract the problem.
Two recent cleaning techniques are making a big difference in the way hospital rooms kept sanitary: microfiber mops and ultraviolet (UV) light decontamination. These two innovations have the distinct advantage of being easy to use and highly effective, which is why most hospitals are implementing these strategies into their current cleaning processes.
Microfiber Mops
Recent studies have shown that microfiber mops are more effective than standard, cotton mops at picking up dirt. The density of the fibers makes the mops material very absorbent, and this combined with the fact that microfibers have a positive charge that attracts dust makes them very effectual at holding dirt instead of redistributing it around the room.
When microfiber mops are used with a copper biocide mixture, the method resulted in the removal of 80 to 85 percent of bacteria, and that the antibacterial effect of the biocide lasted for up to 23 hours after cleaning. These outcomes are very promising for hospitals.
UV Light Decontamination
Another method that many hospitals are relying on is UV radiation for disinfecting and eliminating hospital “super bugs” like MRSA and C. difficile spores. These bugs are especially difficult for hospitals to treat, and some traditional methods of hospital disinfection are difficult to implement and time-consuming.
UV radiation is a quick, but highly successful, way of decontaminating all surfaces—even hard-to-reach ones like the undersides of tables. Since the radiation is potentially dangerous for humans, the UV light device is generally turned on in an empty room from the outside by housekeeping staff, but the process itself is quick and adaptable.
Going Forward
Cleaning experts, like those at http://www.teamcleaningsolutions.com, continue to make breakthroughs when it comes to decontamination efforts in hospitals. As these methods become better, it can only mean a safer, cleaner environment for hospital patients and staff.
