Transcript for film six - General Equipment / Cleaning

This section mixes environmental cleaning and patient care equipment
Introduction

It is important to follow cleaning schedules and keep all areas and equipment clean and dust-free at all times. Most surfaces can be cleaned with hot water and detergent. Furnishings and carpets should be vacuumed daily and steam cleaned when required

Cleaning equipment

Cleaning equipment should be stored in a cupboard which is kept locked but there should be access at all times so that spillages can be dealt with.

All cleaning equipment including cloths, mops and buckets should be clearly colour coded so that they are only used in specific areas reducing the risk of cross-contamination.

The  following coding scheme is recommended:
Red - bathrooms, washrooms, showers, toilets, basins, bathroom floors
Blue - general areas, corridors, lounge, offices
Green - kitchens

Mops must be washed after use in hot water and detergent and up ended to dry. The mop head should be removed, preferably daily, and washed in the washing machine at 70 oC. The bucket must be washed after use with detergent and hot water and left dry.

Cleaning equipment

Wear a disposable apron and single-use gloves.
Most equipment including walking frames, commodes, and wheelchairs should be washed in hot water with detergent in a sluice room. Do not hose equipment down because of the risk of creating an aerosol and spreading contaminated material.

Hoists and slings should be for single resident use only. They should be laundered regularly following manufacturers instructions.

If equipment is contaminated with blood use a detergent cleaning fluid followed by a disinfectant or bleach.

Bedpans/commode pans

Always wear single-use gloves and a disposable apron.
Bedpans and urine bottles should be emptied carefully and cleaned as soon as possible. Ideally they should be cleaned in an automated washer or in a sluice room. If there is no automated washer or sluice room empty bedpans in a designated toilet. If bed pans have to be cleaned by hand wash in a deep sink, using hot water and detergent. Remember to use face protection. Clean any brushes used thoroughly and up end on a rack to dry. Manual cleaning of commode pans is not recommended good practice

• Disposable bedpans should be used in conjunction with a macerator. 
• Do not wash bedpans in sinks in residents' bedrooms or bathrooms and do not soak in baths. 

Still screen and voice over

Remember

• Most surfaces can be cleaned with hot water and detergent
• Keep cleaning equipment in a locked cupboard
• Cleaning equipment should be colour coded and only used in specific areas
• Clean large equipment in a sluice room 
• Do not hose equipment down
• Bedpans should be emptied and cleaned as soon as possible, in an automated washer or disposed of in a macerator

Last reviewed: 22 July 2010