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International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association

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  • 03 Feb 2022 2:14 PM | Deleted user

    Germs, bacteria, and viruses are present virtually almost everywhere. To our workplaces, homes, and recreational spaces. Today, with the emergence of constant harmful viruses, advanced cleaning methods and practices are required to keep commercial facilities and residential home safe and healthy. It is important now more than ever for commercial and residential cleaning services to implement medical cleaning practices to their clients.

    When people hear about medical cleaning, they assume that the level of cleaning is impeccable, and no germs, bacteria, and viruses can survive from that process. However, the general population does not have the time nor the training to do that for their own facilities and homes. That is why it is imperative to have a commercial and residential cleaning service to provide a medical cleaning level of service for businesses and homes. Commercial and residential cleaning services are trained in bloodborne pathogens, and chemical hazards. With this knowledge, they know how to clean and disinfect surfaces without fail. In addition, commercial and residential cleaning services are trained of how to wear properly PPE gear, and how to properly dispose them, so they can eliminate the spread of harmful illnesses. Furthermore, cleaning services train their cleaning techs on proper safety measures for the safety of their customers as well as their own. This all sounds good, but not every cleaning service can provide that level of service.

    Applying a medical cleaning level of service requires a step further of knowing of how to handle a vacuum, mop, and a disinfectant. It requires to have a knowledge of what germs, bacteria, and viruses are, and how to protect from those diseases. Commercial and residential cleaning services that enroll to organizations such as the IJCSA will receive this training and much more. IJSCA members are trained on Green Cleaning, Bloodborne Pathogens, Chemical Hazards and Medical Cleaning courses to help cleaning companies achieve a higher level of cleaning, so communities can be safe and healthy. In addition IJSCA members receive advice and support of how to develop geared training programs for training and safety practices, and there is a vast network of cleaning professionals who are always there to provide insight to new members who just got into the cleaning industry.  Therefore, it is important to make sure that the cleaning service you hire for your facilities or home belongs to a reputable organization such as the IJCSA, so you can have peace of mind from harmful illnesses.

    As stated previously, germs, bacteria, and viruses are everywhere. To keep our employees, clients, and families safe, a level of medical cleaning service is required to combat these diseases. This can be achieved when a commercial and residential cleaning service belongs to a reputable organizations such as the IJSCA because their members receive training and support of how to develop a cleaning service that can provide a superior level of medical cleaning for your health and safety.

  • 03 Feb 2022 10:05 AM | Deleted user

    All businesses start out with great customer service, from the first second a customer calls or walks through the door. You will not get repeat customers or referrals with bad reviews as it all starts out with great customer service. We were all proudly shown how and thought many great things through https://www.ijcsa.org/Find-A-Cleaning-Service-Janitorial-Service with many great tips on what we need to do to.

     


  • 02 Feb 2022 8:23 PM | Deleted user

    Bloodborne pathogens are pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. It is important for any employee and staff member to have knowledge about bloodborne pathogens, because knowing how to handle them can make a difference between life and death. 

    Most exposure occurs when the pathogen comes in contact with the employees mucus membranes, through nose or mouth, cuts or abrasions, etc. The CDC created a "Universal precautions" approach, essentially stating that blood and certain bodily fluids from ALL patients should be considered potentially infectious, so all precautions must be taken to always protect yourself from bloodborne pathogens. 

    Alternative color coding and labeling can help all employees know that compliance with Universal Precautions is required. Always wear protective gear, to keep yourself safe from pathogens, as needles may be present. Always thoroughly wash hands to help prevent infection and spread of disease. OSHA requires that a control plan must be in place at any location where bloodborne pathogens may be present. 

  • 02 Feb 2022 1:10 PM | Deleted user

    The world is evolving and so has the cleaning industry in several ways. As we face a rapid rise in global climate and pandemic outbursts it is up to us to find the solutions needed to combat these issues. Edwards Solutions Group believes that implementing green cleaning methods can positively impact the issues we face. As technology improves we see the the need to transition to more sustainable and eco friendlier cleaning solutions. Green solutions help reduce pollution in both our air and water ways which in return reduces ozone depletion and global climate. Both workers and clients benefit by preserving their health with greener products.

    Taking this initial step forward into green cleaning will enable us to build a more sustainable and healthier future. It is up to us to adopt these methods and use them to create a safe haven for our workers who take pride in providing these essential services to our clients. Greener Solutions means greener earth. Lets go Green!

  • 02 Feb 2022 11:03 AM | Deleted user

    First, we must assume that all blood, vomit, saliva is all contaminated or infectious disease and we can be exposed. We must always wear protective gear, wash our hands and equipment and use the correct colored disposal containers. 

    HBV and HIV are serious diseases as well as other disease that may occur for now following protocol on PPE, disposing and basic handwashing. This is very important to learn to keep yourself safe from exposure and contact with any type of bodily fluid

    Also, would like to point out that the course also reminds you that the is others at risk, you must clean and disinfect all areas you may have touched to keep others safety as well as your own.

  • 02 Feb 2022 10:47 AM | Anonymous

    Have you ever walked into a hospital for a visit and thought to yourself, I sure hope I don't catch anything while I am here? I immediately think of all the germs and ill patients that could cause harm to me and my family. Same goes for any medical facility, not just the hospital. Germs are everywhere especially where the sick are lying. This is why it is so important for properly cleaning of healthcare facilities, to help reduce the chances of spreading germs and contracting an illness for workers, staff, patients, and visitors. 

    Janitors and environmental specialists work hard to keep our healthcare facilities safe and clean from HAi also known as Healthcare Associated Infections. These infections could be contracted through direct contact as well as indirect contact in any healthcare facility. Direct contact involves person to person contact such as shaking hands, where as indirect contact involves touching an object that the infected person has touched such as bed rails or bed controls. Here is where hand washing becomes very important in helping to keep germs under control in a healthcare environment. 

    It is essential that healthcare janitors are well trained for cleaning,  sanitizing, and disinfecting all areas in a healthcare facility, as cold viruses have been shown to survive on indoor surfaces for approximately seven days where flu viruses have the potential to live on hard surfaces, such as plastics and metal, longer than on fabrics and other soft surfaces. The cold and flu are only a couple of the germs that can be easily transmitted, the more severe diseases could include but not limited to HBV, HCV, Clostridium difficile, and even HIV, just to name a few if healthcare facilities are not cleaned and properly sanitized.

    Next time you are at work if you happen to work in healthcare or just visiting or planning to be a patient anytime soon, thank your environmental specialist and healthcare janitors, as they have a very important roll in keeping our facilities clean and safe. You can also read more on this subject and find local janitorial services at https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices

  • 02 Feb 2022 8:38 AM | Anonymous

    It is scary to think you could be exposed to diseases such as Hepatitis B, HIV, AIDS, and other bloodborne pathogen diseases by simply doing your job! All it would take is accidentally getting stuck by a syringe, or coming in contact with an exposed area that has not been cleaned properly. Proper disposal, cleaning, and using the correct protection gear is of utmost importance in a medical facility.

    To properly clean and disinfect medical treatment areas, always assume that ALL patients be considered potentially infectious and that infectious control precautions be taken to minimize the risk of exposure. When cleaning, always wear PPE, use medically proven cleaning agents, look for syringes and other sharp objects that could be hidden in sheets or other areas and dispose of them properly in the SHARP containers. When finish cleaning, remove protective gear and dispose of properly and follow up with a thorough hand washing and hand sanitizing.

    If for some unfortunate reason you become exposed to bloodborne pathogens, the first thing you want to do is immediately flood the exposed area with water and clean any wound with soap and water or a skin disinfectant if available. Contact your physician for treatment and report to your supervisor so they can follow post exposure protocol by contacting infection control and occupational health departments. 

    In conclusion, bloodborne pathogens or bodily fluids, are in most part, in every exam room of medical treatment centers. It is very important to take every precaution to avoid exposure by following proper guidelines an being aware of the dangers. Treat every cleaning situation as if they are a potentially infected. If exposed, follow procedures to wash and cleanse infected area then immediately contact 

  • 02 Feb 2022 7:53 AM | Anonymous

    Today, the importance of taking universal precautionary measures to avoid the transfer of pathogens cannot be stressed enough. Not only has covid shaken the global economy. It has also shown the empathy we can be as a society toward those who have weaker immune systems. Simply wearing a mask, which I admit is restrictive and uncomfortable, can limit the transfers of covid. At this point it is not a matter of right or wrong, it is a matter of being empathetic towards an unknown being in need.

    As stated in the OSHA video, most occupational contacts with bloodborne pathogens occurs through the mucus membrane (nose and mouth) or through open cuts. Following universal protocols like wearing personal protection equipment limits the likelihood of a pathogen being contracted a lot. What’s also important for us to remember is to communicate with those who have the potential to affected if we ourselves believe we have came in contact with a pathogen. We should be proactive and not reactive with matters like these before a calamity occurs.

    In addition to protective equipment, employees must remember to always follow the correct procedures for cleaning, disinfecting, and disposing of contaminated materials. Often times people may do a good job cleaning up contaminated areas but incorrectly dispose of the cleaning materials. Second hand exposure to bloodborne pathogens could occur due to a soiled blanket or pointy needle being thrown away in the wrong container. We must make sure to treat the possible transfers of bodily fluids with the utmost care. So that employees who have second hand potential to come in contact with pathogens do not unknowingly contract a life altering disease. 

  • 31 Jan 2022 3:52 PM | Anonymous

    They are everywhere! Germs! I am OCD, so this is a very real subject for me, as I see every surface and object as a germ. This is actually an accurate observation. Germs live everywhere and it is up to me as a professional cleaner to help control and minimize the germs as much as I can for my clients. I was well aware of the dangers and contaminations that could occur with non-sanitized surfaces, but now taking this course at IJCSA,  has really made me more alert and cautious while I am cleaning.

    When you work with other individuals in the workplace you have to be vigilant with germ and infection control. Germs and infections are spread through direct contact, indirect contact or airborne particles. Direct contact could be as simple as shaking someone's hand. Indirect contact is where you touch an object such as a TV remote or Pen that another person has contaminated. Airborne is where someone coughs or sneezes and the particles are in the air. 

    The leading step in preventing germ spread is good hand washing hygiene. You want to wash your hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds making sure you rub hands together and get between the fingers and up to your wrists. Rinse well and dry your hands with a paper towel. Use your paper towel to turn water off and open the door as to not re-contaminate your hands after washing. Other than hand washing, cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting are the best ways to control germs and viruses in the workplace. Please visit the following link to learn more or to find a janitorial service in your area. https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices

  • 28 Jan 2022 6:34 PM | Anonymous

    Being a professional cleaning specialist for over ten years, I have cleaned many residential and commercial properties alike. I have even cleaned medical offices without certification, but now that I have joined IJCSA  and have started the certification process, I am learning how medical cleaning practices implemented into other residential and commercial cleaning situations will be substantial in protecting the population and the world from harmful bacteria, germs, and viruses. 

    Germs are everywhere, no matter the environment, whether its a residential, commercial, or medical facility, bacterial and germs exist. Understandably, medical offices and facilities have a greater risk for spreading these microorganisms and they are visited daily by sick and sometimes very ill people. Knowing how to properly clean and sanitize a medical facility will only help in doing the same logic of keeping people safe and lower the chances of transmitting germs and bacteria in other cleaning situations, such as residential or other commercial cleaning locations. 

    Knowing the importance of PPE and the proper way of wearing such protective gear is a start for myself and others that live and work in the areas that I am cleaning. Also knowing the right cleaning products that work best for each individual cleaning area is a must, and I have learned the importance of reading the labels as well as the MSDS's to assure the correct product and usage of each cleaning chemical. Following the same cleaning procedures as medical cleaning in residential and other commercial cleaning  locations will only ensure a safe and clean environment every cleaning to keep the home and other work locations safe from most bacteria, germs, and other harmful and contagious microorganisms. 

    According to OSHA, it estimates that 5.6 million workers in the healthcare industry and related occupations are at risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens that include but not limited to: HBV, HCV, and HIV. Being certified in cleaning medical areas and using  the same methods of cleaning a hospital setting that has a potential dangerous exposure to these potential deadly diseases, then the client of a residential or commercial facility can rest assured that I have the knowledge to keep their home or business clean and sanitized as well. 

    I am happy and excited that I found IJCSA to get all the different cleaning certifications to further my cleaning business as well as help my clients feel safe in knowing they are receiving excellent cleaning services for their home or business. To find a certified cleaning company in your area please visit https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices.

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