by Ms. Lolita A. Sanchez

1. CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN
THE HEALTHCARE FACILITY
Lolita A. Sanchez R.N.
Dr. Jesus C. Delgado Memorial Hospital

2. OBJECTIVES:
1. To provide guidelines in the proper cleaning
and disinfection of the patient environment
2. To develop awareness of the importance of a
clean environment in the prevention and control
of infection

3. CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE
HEALTHCARE FACILITY
CLEANING
• general removal of
organic matter
(dirt, food, blood, saliva,
and other body secretions)
that contributes to
proliferation of bacteria
and viruses

4. CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE
HEALTHCARE FACILITY
DISINFECTION
• the process of removing significant amount of
pathogens that cause infection or disease
• any process of disinfection must be preceded
by cleaning
• only items and surfaces that have come in
contact with patient skin and mucosa or
frequently touched require disinfection after
cleaning

5. CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN
HEALTHCARE FACILITY
Environmental Cleaning
• Patient environment
that is contaminated
can facilitate transmission
of bacteria and viruses
between patients

6. CARE COF THE ENVIRONMENT IN
HEALTHCARE FACILITY
High Touch Surfaces in Patient Rooms
• Considered non-critical
• Must be cleaned then disinfected on a regular
basis
• Examples include:
bedrails call bell telephone
TV remote IV pump IV poles
overbed table chairs bedside
light switches doorknobs equipment
toilet flush

7. CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN
HEALTHCARE FACILTIY
Items Requiring only Cleaning
• Floors, walls, and windows
• Chairs and other furnitures used by individuals
who are clothed
• Offices and other non-patient care areas
• Bed curtains should be changed when soiled
and with terminal cleaning

8. CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN
HEALTHCARE FACILITY
Environmental
Disinfectants
• Phenolics (Lysol)
• Quarternary
ammonium
compounds
• Iodophors
• Chlorine (bleach)

9. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
FOR CLEANING SPILLS,
SPLASHES, AND
GENERAL ENVIRONMENT
• Gloves / Rubber gloves
• Gown / Rubber apron
• Mask
CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN
HEALTHCARE FACILITY

10. Color Coding Corresponding Area
Yellow Infectious/Isolation Area
Red Toilets/Bathrooms/Dirty Utility Room
Green Food Service/Preparation Area
Blue General Cleaning
White Operating Room
For the purposes of infection and bacterial control the
identification of cleaning equipment utilized in the different
areas of a health facility is considered essential.
Clear identification, by color coding, of the various items of
cleaning equipment is considered the most effective method of
restricting equipment to individual areas of health
facilities.

12. STAGES FOR CLEANING SPILLS OF
BLOOD / BODY SUBSTANCES
• Put on gown/apron and rubber gloves
• Clean the visible matter with the use of
disposable absorbent paper (old newspaper)
• Dispose the used cleaning materials in
leakproof waste container properly labeled
• Swab the area with cloth/paper towels
moderately wetted with disinfectant and allow
the surface to dry
CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN
HEALTHCARE FACILITY

13. CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN
HEALTHCARE FACILITY
STAGES FOR CLEANING SPILLS OF
BLOOD / BODY SUBSTANCES
• Sodium hypochlorite product is preferred
(household chlorine bleach may be used)
• In patient-care settings, use a 1:100
dilution to decontaminate surfaces after
cleaning
• In laboratory, 1:10 dilution for the first
application before cleaning

14. STAGES FOR CLEANING SPILLS OF
BLOOD / BODY SUBSTANCES
• Let it stand for 15-30 minutes
• After cleaning, remove rubber gloves and
apron, place them in a container for
cleaning and disinfection
• Remove gown and place it into
appropriate container
• Perform hand hygiene
CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN
HEALTHCARE FACILITY

15. CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN
HEALTHCARE FACILITY
CLEANING AND DISINFECTING STRATEGIES
FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SURFACES FOR
PATIENT CARE AREAS
• Use disinfectants in accordance with the
manufacture’s instruction
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces on a
more frequent schedule than minimal-touch
surfaces
• Clean up spills promptly
• Avoid dusting or sweeping

16. • Brooms re-disperse dust and bacteria into
the air and SHOULD NOT BE USED in
patient treatment area or in food
preparation and service area
• More suitable methods are the use of
vacuum cleaner or dust attracting mops
• Wet-dust horizontal surfaces daily by
moistening a cloth with a small amount of
detergent / disinfectant
CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN
HEALTHCARE FACILITY

17. • Prepare cleaning solutions
daily or as needed, and
replace with fresh solutions
frequently
• Mops and other cleaning
equipment should be:
-in good condition
-washed with soap and
water, disinfected
-drained and stored dry
CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN
HEALTHCARE FACILITY