Keeping a clean environment can keep your patients safe.
Many health care-acquired infections are related to the contamination of surfaces and equipment that patients come into contact with. The CDC recommends that all hospitals develop programs to improve high-touch surface cleaning at the time of discharge or transfer of patients. Just a few of the high-touch room surfaces include:
- Bed rails/controls
- Tray table
- IV pole
- Call box/button
- Telephone
- Chair
- Sink
- Light switch
The CDC suggests that effective high-touch surface cleaning programs should be developed on a hospital-specific basis. These programs should share foundational components, outlined in detail here.
For more information about environmental factors influencing patient safety, email Karin Kennedy.
