8
Do you monitor room turnover cleaning with checklists?
Some facilities conduct routine monitoring during the
process, some conduct random monitoring during the
process and some don't monitor at all. Points to consider when
monitoring room turnover disinfection include how experienced
the observer is to undertake this monitoring, type of monitoring
tools, feedback to committees and staff, and action steps to
improve processes.
9
How do you verify that a room is clean?
Verification of cleaning is a relatively new concept and the 2
most common processes include fluorescent gel markers and
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) testing. Fluorescent marker technique
includes placement of gel or powder on surfaces in patient care areas
before the room or area is cleaned and disinfected. Once the area is
cleaned, a special light, sometimes referred to as a blacklight, is used
to look for traces of the marker that were left behind. If the light iden-
tifies the marker, this confirms that surface areas weren't adequately
cleaned and disinfected. This system is more labor intensive and more
subjective than use of ATP. The detection of ATP, the universal unit of
energy in all living cells, immediately determines if surfaces and
reusable medical equipment are truly clean. It provides an objective
numeric measurement of organic material that is left behind on a sur-
face. Both systems are slowly being integrated into monitoring prac-
tices, providing important feedback to staff and helping to improve
cleaning practices.
10
Do you provide committee feedback regarding
environmental services and cleaning processes?
It is imperative that environmental services in the periopera-
4 2 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • O C T O B E R 2 0 1 7
