The EVS struggle is real
Proper cleaning and disinfection are critical to keeping patients safe from infection. But Environmental Services (EVS) managers and staff deal with tough issues on a daily basis that create roadblocks to doing their job effectively. Topping the list of concerns: pressure to speed up room turns, unclear responsibility for who cleans mobile objects, high staff turnover, no standard cleaning practice, and lack of knowledge about the role the environment plays in cross contamination and transmission.
Tackling the problem
Clear-cut guidelines on how to solve surface contamination don’t exist. That’s why we’ve worked with experts nationwide to develop a comprehensive cleaning and disinfecting offering. It combines process with evidence-based products and education to help prevent the spread of HAIs.
Facts about healthcare-associated infections (HAIs):
causes, cost and outcomes
<50%
Multiple studies have shown that less than half of healthcare room surfaces are adequately cleaned and disinfected 7
2.5x
A previously infected room occupant increases the next occupant’s risk of contracting C. diff by 2.5x 8
Up to $45 billion
Average amount spent annually on HAIs by acute-care hospitals 4
1.7 million
Annually, approximately 1.7 million HAIs occur in U.S. hospitals,2 and 1.3 million infections occur in LTC facilities12
40%
of healthcare workers adequately comply with hand hygiene practices 5
72%
of healthcare floor sites tested positive for
C. Difficile 6
HAIs kill more people in the U.S. than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined 2,3
1 in 25
Patients in U.S. hospitals have at least one HAI 1
380,000
LTC facility residents die of infections each year13
Helping you remove infectious pathogens from the environment
Our comprehensive approach helps you create and maintain a successful cleaning and disinfecting program.
Cleaning
Process
Our Clean by Sequence method with numbered microfiber booklets guide your staff from surface to surface, so nothing is missed and cross contamination is minimized.
Evidence-Based
Products
You choose the right mix of products—evidence-based with quick contact times—to satisfy the specific needs of your facility.
Staff
Education
You can access a variety of online and onsite training materials to help staff improve their skills.
Outcomes Reporting
Periodic reviews using ATP testing provide you with data to track improvements and correct weak spots. Engineered for healthcare, our ATP system has patented samplers for covering large areas quickly, data reporting based on CDC recommendations and a full-color display.
Outcomes Reporting
Periodic reviews using ATP testing provide you with data to track improvements and correct weak spots. Engineered for healthcare, our ATP system has patented samplers for covering large areas quickly, data reporting based on CDC recommendations and a full-color display.
Reusable Clean by Sequence
Microfiber Booklets
Housekeeping staff often use the same cloth to clean the whole room—a cross contamination risk. Our numbered microfiber booklets ensure a separate cloth is used for each surface and no surface is missed.
Point-of-Care Devices
Mobile and shared patient equipment are often overlooked in cleaning protocols. Presaturated disinfectant wipes are an easy way to make sure these devices are frequently disinfected by caregivers.
Floors
Mop all floor surfaces with a micofiber mop, starting farthest from the door and moving towards the door. Use a new mop when cleaning the bathroom to avoid cross contamination. A floor-safe disinfectant with a low contact time is considered best practice, instead of a general cleaner without disinfection properties.
Featured product
Reusable Clean by Sequence™ Microfiber Booklets
Our patent-pending Clean by Sequence™ Microfiber Booklets are designed to:
- Improve compliance with CDC guidelines for cleaning high-touch surfaces
- Minimize cross contamination by assigning each surface a separate page
- Reduce room turnover time
- Increase HCAHPS scores
Pathogen-fighting products
Our products give you a powerful weapon in the battle against HAIs. Choose from a comprehensive selection of evidence-based products to access the benefits of our Environmental Disinfection Program. All are specifically formulated for healthcare environments. They kill a wide range of pathogens, have short contact times and are safe for most surfaces.
Germicidal
Wipes
Micro-Kill™ Disinfectant Wipes
Reduce pathogen spread with powerful bleach, quarternary or alcohol-based wipes.
Disinfectant
Solutions
Micro-Kill™ Q3 Concentrated Disinfectant, Cleaner and Deodorizer
This dispensed disinfectant kills HIV-1, hepatitis B, MRSA, VRE and rotovirus. The Medline dispenser and meter tip in the bottle ensure accurate dilution every time.
Microfiber Cloths
and Mops
Microfiber Super Mop
Dense microfibers pick up and lock in dirt so it doesn’t get pushed around.
Ultraviolet light
disinfection systems
Spectra 1000, S400, ExpressPro UV Disinfection Devices
High tech help in the fight against harmful pathogens. Our UV disinfection systems can eliminate up to 99.99% of pathogens**, in the air and on surfaces, including mobile devices in seconds, leaving a better environment for patients and staff.
*Refer to product label for full list of pathogens, contact times and cleaning and disinfection directions.
**Data on file.
Supporting products
Complete your infection prevention program with these recommended products:
Cleaning Validation Tool
AccuPoint ATP Sanitation Monitoring System Meter
Offers reliable results and documents cleanliness levels of the facility.
AccuPoint ATP Sanitation Monitoring System Samplers
Sanitation monitoring made simple with the easy-to-use AccuPoint®HC
Exam Gloves
FitGuard Touch Powder-Free Nitrile Exam Gloves
Durable nitrile protection and textured fingertips for enhanced grip.
Glide-On Powder-Free Vinyl Exam Gloves
Enhanced technology for easy donning, even with damp hands.
Hand Sanitizers
Gel Pocket Size and Table Top
Made with 70% ethyl alcohol, aloe and Vitamin E to get hands clean and smooth.
Foam Table Top
Contains 70% ethyl alcohol and moisturizers to help reduce dry skin.
Wipes To Go and Table Top
On-the-go hand sanitizing wipes kill germs and bacteria.
Laundry additive
SilvaClean® Antimicrobial Laundry Technology.
Linens laundered with SilvaClean fight pathogens on contact. Silva Clean will kill 99.9% of each of these pathogens within 3-9 hours of contact with laundered linens*
*Environmental Protection Agency approved SilvaClean product label. Available at: https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/090335-00001-20190308.pdf. Accessed May 25, 2021.
Add to their skills
Continual training delivers continual improvement. We emphasize a thorough training curriculum that includes both initial and ongoing education for all staff.
Online education
Medline University gives your housekeeping and nursing staff 24/7 access to a complete training curriculum. Topics covered include:
• Clean-by-sequence process and how to correctly perform each step
• How disinfectants work and why contact times are important
• Specialty cleaning procedures
• Scripting for occupied rooms
• Interactive quizzes to confirm learning and competence
• Nursing and management education
Kudos and recognition
Inspire the best from your clean team with customizable certificates and bulletin board shoutouts.
Targeted training materials
Based on ATP testing, we provide customized huddle sheets and other tools to close any identified gaps in practice.
References
- Magill, S.S., et al. Multistate Point-Prevalence Survey of Health Care-Associated Infections. The New England Journal of Medicine: https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMoa1306801
- Klevens, RM, et al. Public Health Reports. 2007; 122:160-166. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1820440/
- Cancer Facts & Figures 2018. American Cancer Society. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/research/cancerfactsstatistics/cancerfactsfigures2015/ Accessed January 21, 2019.
- The Direct Medical Costs of Healthcare-Associated Infections in U.S. Hospitals and the Benefits of Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/hai/pdfs/hai/scott_costpaper.pdf.
- Hand hygiene in healthcare settings – core slides. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/HandHygiene/download/hand_hygiene_core.pdf. Accessed January 19, 2021.
- Desphande, A. et al. Are Hospital Floors an Underappreciated Reservoir for Transmission of Clostridium Difficile and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus? Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313301242_1647.Are_Hospital_Floors_an_Underappreciated_Reservoir_for_Transmission_of_Clostridium_difficile_and_Methicillin-Resistant_Staphylococcus_aureus.
- Just because you are using a disinfectant, doesn’t mean you are disinfecting: The business case for improving infection prevention. Becker’s Clinical Leadership and Infection control: https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/just-because-you-are-using-a-disinfectant-doesn-t-mean-you-are-disinfecting-the-business-case-for-improving-infection-prevention.html.
- Chemaly, RF, Simmons S, Dale C, et al. The role of the healthcare environment in the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms: update on current best practices for containment. Therapeutic Advances in Infectious Disease. 2014;2(3-4):79-90. doi:10.1177/2049936114543287. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4250270/.
- Data on file.
- Pyrek KM. What’s on That Surface? Current Thought on Microbial Load on Surfaces, Pathogen Persistence, Cleaning Best Practices. October 2014. Available at: http://sd.infectioncontroltoday.com/digital-issues/2014/10/whats-on-that-surface.aspx. Accessed July 18, 2016.
- Kramer A, Schwebke I, Kampf G. How Long Do Nosocomial Pathogens Persist on Inanimate Surfaces? A Systematic Review. BMC Infectious Diseases. 2006; 6:130. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1564025/pdf/1471-2334-6-130.pdf. Accessed July 18, 2016.
- Nursing Homes and Asisted Living (Long-term Care Facilities [LCTFs]). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/longtermcare/index.html. Accessed July 11, 2019.
- Chemaly, RF, Simmons S, Dale C, et al. The role of the healthcare environment in the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms: update on current best practices for containment. Therapeutic Advances in Infectious Disease. 2014;2(3-4):79-90. doi:10.1177/204993611454328 7. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4250270/.