Germs from one person can easily be transferred to another, even without direct contact. These can be transmitted by touching an object or surface that isn’t thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. It’s vital in hospitals and other healthcare settings to properly clean and disinfect to avoid spreading germs, bacteria, and viruses, preventing people from getting sick.
Here are the reasons why it’s essential to disinfect in the healthcare industry:
1. To Prevent The Spread Of Unwanted Bacteria
According to Hygieia-San, one of the most significant factors people look for in a hospital, clinic, or laboratory is its cleanliness, hygiene, and sanitation. A clean and sanitized hospital lobby, clinic reception area, and shared bathroom give an excellent impression to patients—and they’ll feel more comfortable using those areas.
It also makes them feel less anxious about getting infected due to airborne diseases and bacteria from surfaces that may compromise their health. It also follows that if the common area is clean and well-maintained, the rooms and the medical services are excellent too. Hospitals and clinics are businesses. It’s essential to give the patients and customers a superb perception so they’d return if needed.
2. To Keep Surfaces Clean For Other Patients And Health Workers
High-touch surfaces are often touched by people that may be easily contaminated and picked up by others using their hands. These include the light switch, door knob, bed rail, bed frame, tray table, IV pole, and other shared equipment.
These are also surfaces in the bathroom like the faucet, toilet, flush handle, bathroom tissue rolls and dispenser, hand dryer, and sink.
Your hands touch many things throughout the day and risk carrying microorganisms that may enter your body like eating without washing your hands.
That’s why cleaning and disinfecting these high-touch surfaces is essential to prevent these microorganisms from spreading, especially after a patient is discharged and another occupies the same room. It’s not only for the patient’s safety but also for the medical practitioners and other workers.
3. To Avoid Transmission Of Infectious Diseases
After every use, medical supplies such as face masks, oxygen masks, syringes, gloves, and bandages must be disposed of. These must be appropriately segregated to avoid contamination and the spread of diseases.
Medical equipment and supplies like stethoscopes, digital thermometers, blood pressure monitors, patient monitors, EKG/ECG machines, defibrillators, X-ray machines, and the like should be cleaned, sanitized, and disinfected after each patient’s use to avoid transfer of germs from one person to another.
Proper cleaning and disinfection also ensure the safety of doctors, nurses, and other medical workers. They’d be able to work without worrying too much about their health.
4. To Ensure That Common Areas, Rooms, Equipment, And Supplies Are Bacteria-Free
Cleaning removes dust, dirt, or other impurities from an object, surface, or environment. Usually, you can already tell if a thing or surface is already clean just by looking at it. But you’re still unsure if it’s free of germs because those microorganisms are too tiny for the naked eye to see.
Remember, bacteria can stay up to five months on a dry surface. That’s why it’s essential to disinfect after cleaning and follow the instructions of the disinfecting products to ensure that germs, bacteria, and viruses will be killed.
Also, be mindful of how long the product or chemical should sit on the object, equipment, or surface to kill the bacteria. Doing a deep cleaning and sanitation is better than risking being sick.
5. Important For The Immune System
When people are healthy, they’re less likely to get sick. Their bodies have ways to fight against infection. However, most patients are ill in hospitals and clinics, and their immune system is weak. They’re more vulnerable to bacteria.
It poses a higher chance for them to acquire more diseases and might bring their health at risk.
That’s why it’s vital to keep the hospitals and clinics clean and disinfected to eliminate or at least lessen the chance of getting an unwanted disease. It’ll only not benefit the patients but the people in the workforce as well.
Final Thoughts
People go to hospitals or clinics to seek medical attention and treatment to feel better and healthier. On the contrary, there’s a risk of going to the hospital as you might have exposure to harmful bacteria and diseases.
But you don’t need to worry since this will be prevented if proper cleaning, sanitation, and disinfection are implemented in clinics and hospitals.
You must always be diligent in selecting the healthcare provider you entrust your health to. Consider the ideas mentioned here as you plan and prepare.
Read Also
- Management Reinforcement for Healthcare Providers in a Shifting System
Healthcare is changing faster than ever. So, providers are feeling the pressure to keep up. New technology, changing patient needs, and constant rule updates make it tough for managers to stay on top. Strong leadership helps teams work better, give great care, and stay happy in their jobs. Here’s how healthcare leaders can strengthen their… Read more: Management Reinforcement for Healthcare Providers in a Shifting System - Why Effective Disinfection Remains the Foundation of Public HealthFrom hospitals and schools to transport hubs and food production sites, disinfection is central to breaking the chain of infection and protecting community health. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how crucial surface hygiene and environmental control are in reducing the spread of harmful microorganisms. Yet, beyond emergency response, routine and validated disinfection practices remain the cornerstone… Read more: Why Effective Disinfection Remains the Foundation of Public Health
- How to Navigate Your Medical Assistant Career PathBecoming a medical assistant can feel both exciting and a little stressful. This job lets you work closely with doctors and other healthcare workers to help patients. But with so many different paths to take, it can be hard to know where to start or how to plan your career. Wouldn’t it be nice to… Read more: How to Navigate Your Medical Assistant Career Path
- Benefits of Enrolling in Botox Training CoursesMany people want to enhance their skills in the beauty field, and one way to do that is through Botox training. With the rising popularity of Botox, enrolling in training courses can set you on a path to a rewarding career. If you are considering this option, you might be curious about the benefits that… Read more: Benefits of Enrolling in Botox Training Courses
- How Pilates Certification Enhances Professional Growth in HealthcareAre you looking for a way to expand your skills and stand out in healthcare? Pilates certification can be a powerful step in your professional journey. It not only helps you understand movement and body mechanics. It also gives you tools to support patient recovery. It also improves mobility, and promotes wellness. Ready to see… Read more: How Pilates Certification Enhances Professional Growth in Healthcare
