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Variation in hospital cleaning practice and process in Australian hospitals : A structured mapping exercise
Mitchell, Brett G. Farrington, Alison Allen, Michelle Gardner, Anne Hall, Lisa Barnett, Adrian G. Halton, Kate Page, Katie Dancer, Stephanie J. Riley, Thomas V.
Mitchell, Brett G.
Farrington, Alison
Allen, Michelle
Gardner, Anne
Hall, Lisa
Barnett, Adrian G.
Halton, Kate
Page, Katie
Dancer, Stephanie J.
Riley, Thomas V.
Abstract
Background
The purpose of this paper is to highlight the range of cleaning practices and processes in 11 Australian hospitals and to discuss the challenges this variation poses to the implementation of clinical trials or changes to hospital cleaning practices.
Methods
A cross-sectional study design was used to determine cleaning practices and processes in hospitals participating in the ‘Researching Effective Approaches to Cleaning in Hospitals’ (REACH) study. A standardised template and approach was used to collect information. Data collection activities included structured on-site discussions, a review of hospital practices and a document review of policy and procedural documents related to cleaning.
Results
Variations in the auditing process used to evaluate environmental cleanliness, cleaning practices, product use, training and communication pathways available to cleaning staff were identified. There was also variation in workforce structure and responsibilities for cleaning.
Conclusion
This paper is the first to describe the differences in cleaning practices between Australian hospitals. The variations identified present a number of challenges for the conduct of research and have important implications for both monitoring of and standards for cleanliness. These challenges include implementing a practice change or cleaning study where hospitals have different processes, practices and structures.
Keywords
cross infection, infection control, hospitals, health services, housekeeping, maintenance
Date
2017
Type
Journal article
Journal
Infection, Disease and Health
Book
Volume
22
Issue
4
Page Range
195-202
Article Number
ACU Department
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
License
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
File Access
Open