For hospitals, ensuring good hygiene and robust infection control standards is a persistent challenge.

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) procedures are designed to halt the spread of infections within healthcare settings. These are often clinician-led actions, such as hand hygiene, PPE use and waste management.

Of course, with individual responsibilities comes individual methods – and this can create a disparity in the effectiveness of each approach.

For this reason, one strategy to help improve infection prevention is by standardising hospital cleaning protocols.

By reducing the variation of practice and insisting on a high quality, uniform method, infection can be controlled with consistency. This significantly reduces the opportunity for pathogens to spread, creating an environment where patients, clinicians and the wider community can thrive.

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However, a high turnover of staff is often a barrier to consistency and control – as well as other variables in the hospital environment. With this in mind, are there any additional tactics and tools that can help to achieve standardisation?

Let’s  take a closer look…

The Challenge of Maintaining Strong Hygiene Standards

Hospital environments are inherently prone to the spread of infection due to the sheer volume of vulnerable patients, as well as the constant influx of new cases.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) estimated that around 5 million HCAIs occur annually in acute care hospitals across Europe, with children and the elderly most profoundly affected[1].

No hospital will downplay the importance of infection control, yet it’s often hampered by various factors such as staff turnover, inconsistent cleaning practices, and ultimately the huge scale of operations. In February 2024, there was an average of 13,373 emergency admissions to hospitals in England per day via A&E departments alone[2].

Inconsistent cleaning procedures can lead to gaps in infection control, making hospitals susceptible to outbreaks of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). These infections not only compromise patient safety but also impose significant financial burdens on healthcare systems. in 2016/2017, HCAIs cost the NHS in England an estimated £2.1 billion, with 99.8% of this attributable to patient management costs[3].

The Role of Standardised Cleaning Protocols

When faced with undeniable operational, financial and ethical burden of HCAIs, closing the earlier mentioned gaps in infection control becomes absolutely essential.

Standardised cleaning protocols provide a structured and consistent approach to maintaining hygiene. By establishing clear, evidence-based guidelines, hospitals can ensure that all areas are cleaned to the same high standard, regardless of who is performing the task. This consistency is crucial in reducing the risk of infection transmission.

Key Components of Effective Standardised Cleaning Protocols Include:

• Defined Procedures. Clear instructions for cleaning each area, specifying the cleaning agents to be used, the frequency of cleaning, and the correct techniques.
• Training and Education. In-depth training programmes for clinicians to ensure they understand and adhere to the protocols. Ongoing education helps keep staff informed about the latest best practices in infection control.
• Monitoring and Evaluation. Regular audits and feedback mechanisms to assess the effectiveness of the cleaning protocols and identify areas for improvement.

Enhancing Standardised Cleaning Protocols with Advanced Technology

While standardised protocols form the foundation of effective infection control, leveraging advanced technology can further enhance these efforts. DDC Dolphin specialises in providing innovative solutions for the sluice room, a critical area in the infection control landscape of any hospital.

Antimicrobial Surfaces

Surfaces in healthcare settings are a primary vector for pathogen transmission. DDC Dolphin’s medical pulp macerators and bedpan washer disinfectors feature antimicrobial surfaces that inhibit the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms. These surfaces are designed to provide a continuous layer of passive protection, reducing the microbial load on high-touch areas and thereby lowering the risk of cross-contamination.

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Touch-Free Operation

Minimising touch points is another effective strategy in preventing the spread of infections. DDC Dolphin offers a range of contactless solutions, including hands-free auto start and lid opening mechanisms. By reducing the need for manual contact, these touch-free systems help to maintain a more hygienic environment, particularly in high-risk areas such as sluice rooms.

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Automated Disinfection

Automated systems ensure a consistent and thorough cleaning process, which is critical in maintaining the efficacy of standardised protocols. DDC Dolphin’s Panamatic bedpan washer disinfectors, for example, incorporate the latest technology to achieve automated thermal disinfection levels in line with NHS periodic testing guidelines.

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The Benefits of Pairing Standardised Protocols and Advanced Technology

Integrating standardised cleaning protocols with advanced technological solutions provides a wrap-around approach to infection prevention. The benefits include:

• Enhanced Patient Safety. Reducing the risk of HCAIs improves patient outcomes.
• Operational Efficiency. Standardised protocols and automated systems streamline cleaning processes, saving time and resources.
• Cost Savings. Preventing infections reduces the financial burden associated with treating HCAIs and the associated extended hospital stays.
• Compliance. Adhering to standardised protocols ensures compliance with national and international infection control standards and guidelines.

In the relentless battle against infections in hospitals, standardised cleaning protocols are indispensable.

When combined with advanced technology like antimicrobial surfaces and touch-free operation offered by DDC Dolphin, these protocols can significantly enhance infection prevention efforts. Investing in these solutions is a strategic move towards achieving and maintaining the highest hygiene standards, ultimately safeguarding patient health and enhancing hospital operations.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW DDC DOLPHIN CAN STRENGTHEN THE WORK OF YOUR HOSPITAL INFECTION CONTROL TEAM.

NEED HELP CONTROLLING HCAIS IN YOUR HOSPITAL? SPEAK TO AN INFECTION CONTROL EXPERT TODAY.