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Last Updated JANUARY 2024

Eight environmental hygiene and cleaning factors to consider in high-traffic public healthcare areas

When it comes to making the right decisions about hygiene and cleanliness, Environmental Services (EVS) teams must get it right.

 



Keeping high-traffic, public areas ready for visitors is not an easy task, but here are a few factors to keep in mind when making critical hygiene decisions:

1 Reducing the risk of cross contamination​

 

Fully enclosed systems, such as specially-designed toilet paper dispensers and closed-bucket wiping systems, can help minimize the risk of cross contamination by protecting their contents from unnecessary exposure and touching.

2 Identifying the most compatible cleaning supplies

The tools used during cleaning can matter just as much as the task. For example, dry wipers can be pre-moistened with preferred chemicals, solvents and sanitizers to ensure the right level of cleanliness. Conversely, cotton cloths can reduce the efficiency of disinfectant chemicals by up to 85%.1

3 Mitigating waste and over-use of consumables​

Single-use dispensing systems, such as wiper systems, provide controlled dispensing that can help to reduce paper consumption and waste by 18%.2

4 Eliminating opportunities for chemical misidentification

Closed-bucket wiping systems are designed to help ensure the right chemicals are used in the appropriate environment. Their wrap-around color sticker reduces risk of misidentification and increases workplace safety.3

5 Increasing labor efficiency with the right systems and solutions

With high-capacity dispensers and products, cleaners can better maximize their time when completing essential tasks. For example, for some high-capacity paper towel dispensers, two times the quantity of hard rolled towels can be loaded at one time,4 which helps reduce refill frequency5, leaving more time for other critical responsibilities.

6 Increasing labor efficiency with the right systems and solutions

When cleanliness cannot be compromised, relying on solutions supplied by trusted brands and certified by third-party, independent organizations can help provide your EVS team with the hygiene confidence it needs.

7 Choosing cleaning solutions that maximize worker safety​

Protecting your cleaning team is a top priority. Here’s how a closed-bucket wiping system can help you achieve this:

  • Reduces worker exposure, solvent waste and evaporation for a safer, more cost-efficient workplace6
  • Increases cleaning efficiency and reduces cross-contamination risk6
  • Unlike rags, the wipers are designed to be compatible with commonly-used disinfectants7

 

8 Cost vs. Value

EVS budgets are tight, but value must always be considered when evaluating the cost of hygiene solutions. Using solutions that offer less than consistent and efficient performance can inadvertently increase labor costs due to more effort and time needed to perform essential cleaning tasks.

References

1. Decreased activity of commercially available disinfectants containing quaternary ammonium compounds when exposed to cotton towels”, Charles Gerba, Ph.D, etal, American Journal of Infection Control, April, 2013, www.ajicjournal.org
2. Based on the Sapio Research August 2018. Actual consumption may vary depending on different circumstances.
3. Compared to existing dispenser (Canister# 70159475, Lid# 70193282)
4. Assuming 2 bands of KCP folded towels to be loaded vs 1 roll of KCP Hard rolled towels each time.
5. Comparing KCP folded towels with KCP Hard rolled towels
6. Compared to rags in open bucket
7. Refer to KCP chemical compatibility chart. User has responsibility to test the products with their preferred solvent.

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