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Hospital emergency rooms (ER) play a vital role in our everyday healthcare system. They serve all wellness and health needs, ranging from minor ones to extreme life-threatening conditions. During this time of COVID-19, many people will be concerned about germs living in an emergency room setting. Health First has always enforced strict cleaning and disinfecting guidelines to avoid infections and contaminations that could impact the lives of front-line associates and patients seeking medical care.
"Long before COVID-19 struck our nation's communities and hospitals, we implemented strict cleaning practices and protocols to make sure every Health First ER is as clean as possible," said Amy Albright, Client Executive with the Hospitals Division of Sodexo Healthcare, which supplies environmental services to Health First.
A typical cleaning process begins with a seven-step standard operating procedure to ensure high-quality cleaning and disinfecting. However, during these times when a contagious virus that causes diseases such as COVID-19 is prevalent, Health First increases its standards to conduct a Terminal Clean. Terminal Cleans are often used in high -impact areas such as operating rooms and intensive care units (ICUs). A Terminal Clean is a process used to effectively destroy the majority of germs that could be left from a patient infected by COVID-19.
The Terminal Clean Process is in addition to our standard cleaning procedures and includes:
- Thoroughly wash and disinfect all partitions, walls, light switches, doors and doorknobs.
- Dust and disinfect X-ray view box
- Dust and disinfect light source box
- Wipe, disinfect Suction Regulator System
- Wipe and disinfect AC vents. (exterior)
- Wipe and disinfect light fixtures
- Empty and disinfect trash containers, and replace liners
- Wash and disinfect the kick bucket and the rolling stand - inside and outside
- Empty, wipe and disinfect linen hampers - replace liners
- Wipe and disinfect rolling chairs and stools
- Wipe and disinfect chair rails
- Wipe and disinfect overhead lights and arms
- Wipe and disinfect step stool
- Wipe and disinfect mayo stand
- Thoroughly wipe and disinfect operating room table/exam table
- Dust and disinfect electrosurgical generator
- Wipe and disinfect IV poles
- Dust X-ray equipment
- Wipe and disinfect countertop and computers at the nurse and doctor area
- Wipe and disinfect supply cabinet
- Remove iodine stains - floor surface
- Dust mop and wet mop floor surface(s) using a disinfecting solution.
It is Health First's mission to improve the wellness and health of our community. We adhere to strict cleaning and disinfecting guidelines to ensure that the community can feel confident in the safety for themselves and their loved ones when they enter a Health First door.
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