Across the country, every medical office has had to adapt its cleaning protocols to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. That being said, there are standard equipment and protocols every medical office needs in order to maintain a clean and sanitary environment. Moreover, if they employ a cleaning staff, they need to make certain their cleaners adhere to the proper protocols and procedures. So, what does that look like?
Here’s a complete guide for medical office cleaning to get you started.
Needed Materials/Supplies
- Mop bucket
- Germicidal cleaner (a CDC approved solution is best)
- Face masks (preferably N-95 rated)
- Disposable latex or non-latex cleaning gloves
- Soap dispenser refills
- Wastebasket liners
- Dustpan
- Telescoping duster
- Fresh cleaning cloths
- Clean mop heads
- Stainless steel cleaner (needs to be a specific formula for cleaning medical waste containers)
- Red bags (for medical waste disposal)
- Odor remover (VERY important)
- Toilet bowl brush
- Toilet cleaning brush
- Eco-friendly toilet cleaner
- Glass Cleaner, multi-surface cleaner, etc.
- Medical Office Cleaning Protocols
The following areas need to be closely examined and cleaned regularly:
- waiting room
- exam rooms
- restrooms
- bathing/changing areas
- high traffic touch surfaces
- signage areas
- front desk/reception area
- Let’s take a look at each of these areas and how to properly clean each of them.
Requisite Skills
Asking your office staff to conduct more than basic cleaning may put a significant amount of strain on them given the PPE protocols and managing patient social distancing during the pandemic.
A professional commercial cleaning staff will be better equipped and trained for the task. They will also know exactly how to clean your medical office so that you can maintain the highest level of sanitation and cleanliness.
Here’s the order of process a professional cleaning crew should follow:
Step 1: Trash & Waste Disposal
No trash or waste in a doctor’s office should ever be left unattended overnight. Cans should be emptied daily at minimum, and every receptacle should be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized, too. Medical offices also have different types of waste to dispose of, so the cleaning crew should be familiar with the proper disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. All cleaners should also immediately dispose of their gloves once they have finished and wash hands thoroughly.
Step 2: Waiting Room & Exam Rooms
These are the high traffic areas for germs and bacteria. All dirt, debris and dust needs to be cleaned daily, and disinfectant and sanitizer should be applied after each cleaning. Additionally, all cleaning wipes need to be used with the 8-fold cleaning method to prevent cross-contamination. Most professionals use numbered microfiber cloths to help them keep track of which side has already been used.
Step 3: Restrooms
Toilets and urinals need to be thoroughly cleaned daily. Slow and thorough cleaning is the key here. Toilet cleaner should soak in the toilet bowl for no less than 15 minutes to remove stains, kill germs and eliminate tough odors. Every surface should be well-scrubbed, preferably with a diluted bleach cleaner intended for bathroom surfaces. Once you have finished with the toilets, be sure to flush and wash any brushes before storing them in a cool, dry place.
Step 4: Bath & Shower Facilities
Showers, bathtubs and sinks should also be cleaned with a bleach based bathroom cleaner, and all high touch surfaces need to be disinfected and sanitized. Light switch plates, doorknobs, and towel dispensers should be a top priority. Don’t forget to clean the shower curtains, too. Additionally, don’t allow any soiled towels to sit in the bathroom. Immediately remove and launder them as soon as possible.
Step 5: Air Ducts
Having your HVAC ducts regularly cleaned by professionals improves air quality and helps to prevent the spread of allergens, mold, pathogens and bacteria. This is a task best left to professionals, but it is essential for keeping your medical office sanitary.
Step 6: Cleaning/Sterilizing Toys
If you have toys for patients in the waiting area, they need to be regularly cleaned and sterilized. This is primarily a concern for pediatric physicians, especially with the number of children that will be visiting daily. The preferred method is to soak all toys in a cleaning solution for no less than ten minutes.
After ten minutes has elapsed, all toys should be stirred and allowed to soak a further ten minutes. All toys should then be thoroughly rinsed and allowed to dry before they are loaded back into the toy box.
Step 7: Floors
Yet another daily task, all floors should be cleaned daily before being disinfected and sanitized. Carpets need to be vacuumed and then steam cleaned to eliminate any potential germ or pathogens embedded in the fibers. Wooden or vinyl floors need to be mopped and treated with disinfectant and sanitizer before being allowed to dry completely. Overnight floor cleaning is best for these surfaces since they pose a significant slip-and-fall risk during the day while drying.
Step 8: Furniture
Like the waiting room and exam rooms, furniture needs to be cleaned with an 8-fold cloth before being disinfected and sanitized. Upholstery should also be steam cleaned regularly to prevent pathogens or dirt from accumulating in the fibers.
Step 9: Common Areas
Break rooms and kitchenettes need to be kept clean, disinfected and sanitized at all times. They will most likely need to be treated multiple times per day, as these are the areas where your staff will be without their PPE every day. Additionally, all appliances like the microwave, toaster oven and refrigerator need to be wiped down inside and out to keep their surfaces sanitary. Using disinfectant and sanitizer should be used as often as possible.
Step 10: TouchPoints
Recheck and clean all high traffic touch points throughout your medical office. Light switches, door handles, door surfaces should be cleaned, disinfected and sanitized multiple times per day. Patients and staff will come into contact with these surfaces the most throughout your office hours, so keeping them sanitary is of the utmost importance.
Are you searching for a commercial cleaning service for your medical office? The experienced staff at Jkleen Services has the equipment and training you need to keep your office clean and sanitary. Contact us today for a consultation and more information about how we can help you protect your patients and staff from COVID-19.
