Environmental Infection Control — Cleaning and Disinfection Guidance
March 12, 2020 | Corona Virus
AHCA/NCAL addressed environmental infection control in it’s COVID-19 update #6 today. Cleaning and disinfection are essential environmental control practices that help reduce the risk of the virus entering long-term care buildings.
The following environmental infection control practices should be implemented immediately:
- Hand washing stations or alcohol-based hand rubs should be immediately available at all
entryways. - Dedicated medical equipment should be used for patient care, when possible.
- Between each use, nondisposable medical equipment should be cleaned and
disinfected. This should be done according to manufacturer’s instructions and facility
policies. - Management of laundry, food service utensils, and medical waste should be performed in
accordance with routine procedures. - Environmental cleaning and disinfection procedures should be supervised. This ensures
that proper procedures are followed consistently and correctly
The CDC has essential guidelines for infection control in health-care facilities and guidelines for isolation precautions.
AHCA has supplied a template handout for housekeeping staff on cleaning protocol that can be modified for facility specifics.