Cleaning and Maintenance Services within a Hospital Setting: Environmental Support Services

Abstract

Housekeeping includes all activities directed towards a clean, safe and comfortable environment. Control and prevention of hospital acquired infection is the prime role of housekeeping. Improving cleaning practices in hospitals contributes towards controlling health care-associated infection.The aim of housekeeping services is to provide the correct setting in which high standards of patient care takes place and instil confidence in the health care facility so that the patients, their relatives, visitors and attendants feel welcome. Sanitation assistants need proper training and supervision to achieve the required standards of hygiene and sanitation. They need to be kept motivated and in high morale by encouragement, appreciation and reward as the work is mostly unskilled and monotonous. Washing soda, soda bars, powders and flakes are the commonly available cleaning agents. Sweeping,mopping, vacuum cleaning, scrubbing are the methods of cleaning mostly used in hospitals. The location and appearance of a hospital has a significant role in a consumer selecting a particular hospital for his treatment.