J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 6 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 1 1 5
Y
our environ-
mental servic-
es staff plays a
critical role in prevent-
ing healthcare-associ-
ated infections, yet we
often fail to recognize
how important house-
keepers are to keeping
patients safe from
cross-contamination,
especially when it
comes to good surface
decontamination. And
the inevitable result,
unfortunately, is that
when facilities start
feeling strapped or
looking for places to
save, housekeeping,
because it's not direct-
ly involved in health
care, is often among
the first cuts. But that
can be a trap — a "cost-saving" measure that ends up being a lot more
expensive down the road.
Housekeepers Are Your SSI Foot Soldiers
A dedicated cleaning crew is the first line of defense against infections.
Infection Prevention
Rodney E. Rohde, PhD, MS, SV, SM(ASCP)
CM
, MB
CM
• UNDERRATED WEAPON In the ever-evolving world of infection prevention, environmental services training has to be
ongoing, and leadership needs to ensure that it's kept up to date.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN
