Keeping it clean in the hospital

Chad Grainger, key account manager - public services, at Kärcher UK focuses on how facilities managers can achieve cleaning standards in an efficient and sustainable manner.

Ensuring that healthcare facilities are kept clean and hygienic is vital not only for patient safety but also to protect workers and safeguard health and safety. With the arrival of the new National Standards of Healthcare Cleanliness 2021 legislation implemented earlier this year, the national focus on healthcare cleanliness has increased. The introduction of measures including stringent audits and the display of star rating certificates in public spaces has driven the need for efficient cleaning solutions that keep on top of dirt build-up.

With the new cleaning standards placing emphasis on all staff members rather than just cleaning operatives, having machines that can be easily operated is a must to ensure that a clean environment can be universally maintained. Battery-powered machines are ideal for this, as they can be swiftly used without the need for plug points, helping to whisk away daily dirt and spillages. This can help to reduce cleaning times by up to 50% compared to traditional mop and bucket style cleaning.

Additionally, battery powered solutions do not involve wires strewn across flooring, helping to reduce the health and safety risk of using the machines in high footfall thoroughfares. Combined with low noise output, battery powered machines feature brushless motors enabling them to be used during the day and night minimising noise disruption and preventing the need to close off vast areas of space to the public.

Battery powered technology, such as the Battery Universe from Kärcher, has seen a vast number of cleaning machines be adapted so that they can be powered using swappable batteries. The interchangeable nature of the Kärcher Battery Universe Platform enables users to swiftly move the battery from one machine to another during the cleaning process, depending on what machine is required. This helps to reduce energy usage as less batteries need charging to power a wide range of equipment. Instead, the user can swiftly go from mopping up spillages using the BR

30/1 C Bp handheld scrubber dryer to vacuuming up loose dirt with the HV 1/1 Bp handheld vacuum cleaner.

Vacuum cleaners and handheld scrubber dryers are particularly suited to use in healthcare facilities as they help to remove common dirt and tidy up after ad-hoc spills. Unkept flooring is a particular health hazard in busy wards and corridors as it may lead to trips and falls. Likewise, over time, dirt buildup can lead to floor damage requiring replacement, which could put an area out of action for healthcare staff.

As the responsibility of maintaining a clean environment becomes part of the wider role for all healthcare members, ensuring that you have sustainable and easy to use cleaning equipment will speed up cleaning times and ensure consistent overall cleanliness. Making sure that the right equipment is in place will go a long way to supporting staff and helping to keep a high star rating in every healthcare facility. WWW.KARCHER.CO.UK taken from feedback at each hospital or care home. This programme allows us to make reactive and tangible differences to care and therefore health outcomes. We are committed to the roll out of the programme and believe it will enhance skills and the services we deliver.”

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Stacey Dobson, head of patient experience for healthcare, Compass Group UK and Ireland, said: “The pandemic shone a light on the impact our teams can have on the patient experience and the imperative services they deliver from cleanliness to nutrition and so many more. We knew there was an opportunity to go further and developing the ‘Positive Impressions’ programme for our NHS and senior living clients, will support us to create bespoke solutions based on feedback. The great thing about this programme is that it builds two-way communication from patient or resident to our teams, to allow us to react and improve.”

‘Positive Impressions’ has been shortlisted in The Patient Experience Network National

Awards (PENNA), the first and only awards programme to recognise best practice in patient experience. The concept is a finalist for the categories of Commissioning for

Patient Experience; Staff Engagement & Improving Staff Experience; and Manager of the Year.

WWW.COMPASS-GROUP.CO.UK