How do you teach healthcare cleaning standards?

1 Know the standards

The first step to teaching healthcare cleaning standards is to know them yourself. There are different sources of standards, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE), and the Joint Commission. You should familiarize yourself with the relevant standards for your facility and the type of cleaning you perform, such as terminal cleaning, discharge cleaning, isolation cleaning, or routine cleaning. You should also keep up to date with any changes or updates to the standards.

2 Explain the why

The next step is to explain the why behind the standards to your cleaners. Why are they important? How do they protect the health and safety of everyone in the facility? How do they prevent the spread of infections and diseases? How do they impact the quality of care and the reputation of the facility? By explaining the why, you can help your cleaners understand the purpose and value of their work, and motivate them to follow the standards.

3 Demonstrate the how

The third step is to demonstrate the how of the standards to your cleaners. How do they perform the cleaning tasks according to the standards? What tools, equipment, and supplies do they need? What techniques, methods, and procedures do they use? What precautions and safety measures do they take? How do they check and document their work? By demonstrating the how, you can help your cleaners learn the skills and knowledge they need to perform their work correctly and consistently.

4 Provide feedback

The fourth step is to provide feedback to your cleaners on their performance. Feedback is essential for learning and improvement, and it should be timely, specific, and constructive. You should observe and evaluate your cleaners regularly, using checklists, audits, or inspections. You should praise them for what they do well, and coach them on what they need to improve. You should also encourage them to ask questions, seek help, and share feedback with each other.

5 Reinforce learning

The fifth step is to reinforce learning and retention of the standards. Learning is not a one-time event, but a continuous process that requires repetition and practice. You should review and refresh the standards periodically, using quizzes, games, or simulations. You should also create a culture of learning and excellence, where your cleaners are recognized and rewarded for following the standards, and where they can access resources and support when they need them.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?