It takes much more than simply cleaning up after each shift to maintain a medical facility hygienic and staff members healthy. You must frequently perform thorough cleaning that controls infections to obtain the best value for your money. This will improve your patient’s health and maintain your employees’ well-being, resulting in fewer absences. Reduced waste, increased efficiency, and increased output result from a clean medical institution.
Regretfully, there are hundreds of cleaning companies to select from, and it can be difficult to narrow down your options to identify the greatest fit for your medical institution. When hiring medical cleaning services, ask these crucial questions to ensure you receive the greatest value for your money.
What level of training does your staff possess?
A medical cleaning company’s service staff should receive comprehensive training tailored to their business before cleaning a particular building. The distinctions between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting, as well as the appropriate times, locations, and techniques for each decontamination procedure, should be well understood by service providers. Make sure you are informed of the latest requirements for your particular facility. Requirements can differ based on the type of establishment, including medical clinics, outpatient surgery facilities, dentist offices, and physician offices.
How do you screen your staff?
Any company that provides cleaning services should, at the very least, screen applicants for drug usage and confirm that they have no criminal background. Better yet, the top commercial medical cleaning service will put much effort into finding applicants who mesh well. Tests of personality can be used for this. Building a fantastic team can greatly benefit from references and verifying past employment. You, your staff, your facility, and your reputation are all at stake when your potential cleaning service cuts corners regarding hiring.
How long have you been in business?
All businesses must begin somewhere, but do you want your building to serve as your startup’s training ground for a commercial medical cleaning company? Experience counts, and seasoned companies are more adept at their work. While excitement is important, it cannot compensate for inexperience. Therefore, search for a commercial cleaning company with a strong track record of success and a passion for what they do. After all, previous conduct is the most reliable indicator of future behavior.
What kind of cleaning supplies and equipment do you use?
Medical cleaning services should utilize hospital-grade, EPA-approved sanitizers and disinfectants, such as sporicidal disinfectant, to maximize the removal of hazardous bacteria. OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, also suggests using microfiber mops and cloths to capture germs and HEPA vacuums and filters for improved air quality. To avoid cross-contamination, reusable materials could be appropriate for some operations, while disposable supplies might be needed for others.
How are you going to handle my healthcare facility’s particular needs?
The type of your medical facility will determine its cleanliness needs. Professional cleaning services for healthcare facilities should be able to handle the various requirements of dentist offices, medical offices, and outpatient surgery centers. For instance, high-risk settings like surgery facilities require more frequent cleaning and disinfection than dental offices. Rather than providing a generic cleaning schedule, the medical cleaning service you select should be able to outline the precise cleaning methods they will use for your facility.
Which safety measures do you follow?
Medical cleaning companies should give their employees all the necessary safety gear, such as masks, gloves, and even biohazard suits. When used with appropriate hazardous waste disposal methods, protective gear protocols, and safety inspections can help minimize the spread of infection and safeguard the cleaning technicians that serve your business.
Are you licensed?
A cleaning company should have the necessary permits and certificates to operate in your city and state, just like any other respectable business. Take advantage of this recruiting procedure stage, and don’t hesitate to request to view the cleaning company’s license. Hundreds of companies claim to be professional, yet they don’t have the necessary credentials. The professional approach and superior outcomes will indicate the two groups’ differences.
How can you support my practice to improve patient satisfaction and ROI?
Increased ratings on patient satisfaction surveys can be attributed to a clean, fresh appearance and safe cleaning practices. A better patient experience translates into a larger return on investment for you as the healthcare sector moves toward value-driven payment models. To ensure that you receive patient-centered healthcare cleaning intended to enhance patient comfort and happiness, look for a medical cleaning company knowledgeable about the current state of the healthcare evaluation system.
How were your sanitation standards formulated?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the environmental cleaning guidelines suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Association of PeriOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) should be the basis for the safety and hygienic standards of healthcare cleaning companies. Protocols should also adhere to federal authorities’ guidelines, such as OSHA and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as municipal and state laws and regulations.
Can you provide me with references?
You should reach out to references for commercial cleaning companies like you would for potential hires. Contacting the references can help you gain insight into the company’s professionalism, work ethic, quality of work, and what to expect. When employing a new company, ensure you understand what you’re getting into by speaking with previous clients. You’ll be glad that you are done.
Can your company adjust to my schedule?
The best cleaning companies should help providers and patients without interfering with the cleaning procedure. Select a cleaning service that offers flexible scheduling to prevent disruptions to your business and a negative impact on patient satisfaction. The company should accommodate the hours that your facility is open.
Final thoughts
Hiring a medical cleaning service provider to clean your health facility is a serious decision you must take seriously. By asking the above questions, you can be sure that the cleaning company you hire is the right choice.