Blood-borne viruses are a major risk to human health because they can lead to life-threatening illnesses and long-term health issues. It is crucial to comprehend these hazards and put into practice efficient preventative measures, particularly for healthcare workers and those employed in high-risk workplaces. We will examine common blood-borne infections, their mechanisms of transmission, precautions to take, and safety procedures in and outside of healthcare facilities in this extensive handbook. Let's investigate the realm of blood-borne infections and the essential measures to protect health.

Training on bloodborne pathogens is essential for providing people with the information and abilities they need to stop the spread of these illnesses, protecting everyone's health and safety.  Being on the front lines of patient care puts healthcare workers at danger of coming into contact with bloodborne infections. By giving them the tools to defend themselves while giving care, training lowers the risk of occupational infections that might result in long-term health problems.

Employers are shielded from exposure by PPE, which acts as a barrier against bloodborne infections. PPE does not completely remove the risk; contaminated equipment and PPE should be disposed of safely by placing it in bags or containers with the proper labels. One of the best ways to reduce infections and stop the spread of disease is to practice good hand hygiene in addition to wearing personal protective equipment. Hand hygiene is a requirement for all personnel who work with patients.

It is obvious that cleaning medical facilities poses different threats on the surface than cleaning commercial or residential properties. While there are things that you must keep in mind in a medical facility to prevent the spread of germs, there are concepts in this training that you could and should take with you to any property that you are tasked with cleaning. Sanitation is the name of the game in medical facilities, but keeping yourself safe includes this step no matter where you are cleaning. 

Knowing the proper ways to maintain your health and safety are of the highest importance and understanding proper procedures to ensure this safety is helpful. While residential and commercial jobs may look clean visually, there are millions of germs hiding on high touch surfaces. While you must remove the dust and grime, there should be some level of sanitation in your cleaning process to kill germs and prevent the spread of illness. 

As a cleaner it is our job and duty to protect our clients as well as ourselves from sickness and germs. Clients expect to have not only a visually clean area, but also an area that is free of germs. The area when completed should be safe for inhabitants. Protecting the population of your community is not something that will generally be overly stated in your contract, but should be implied. Small changes to your routine to include utilizing cleaners with sanitation properties, handwashing, or use of hand sanitizer can drastically reduce the risk of spreading illness in an area. Focusing these efforts on high touch areas of a home or workplace can mean that you or your clients can stay safe from communicable illnesses to include influenza, Covid-19, and even human pathogenic bacteria. 

Utilizing the IJCSA’s Janitorial Directory of professionals can assist you in locating a cleaning crew that has been specially trained in these areas. Cleaners listed on this directory have been properly trained on the importance of handwashing as well as disinfection and understand that skipping over these steps can put the public at risk. While all cleaners want happy customers, utilizing this directory can ensure that you will find a cleaning company that also cares about your health and safety.

Knowledge of bloodborne pathogens is crucial for those working in the healthcare field. Proper education will help you from getting sick. For example, you should always treat any bodily fluids as contaminated. This means that wearing protective gear is a must.

It is also important to know how to clean up after potentially infectious substances in the correct way. While wearing PPE, you should disinfect with proper chemicals and dispose of items in proper containers. Mishandling of hazardous materials is a great way to get sick and/or fired.

Knowing what to do if you get exposed is just as vital as prevention. Thoroughly clean the exposed area and contact your supervisor right away! Follow the guidelines given to you. Finally, learn from this accident to ensure it does not happen again.

When it comes to cleaning healthcare facilities, know-how and what to use to properly clean the hospital and maintain a clean environment for the patient and staff. For cleaning company to clean a hospital, they should be certification in cleaning and healthcare location. OSHA has set up good practices to follow.

Following the polices from OSHA can ensure the cleaning services is properly being used. PPE use can help prevent cross containment. Cleaning to top to bottom and clockwise cleaning a room. Disinfection solution to wipe down hard surfaces and soft surfaces. Gloves should be changed every three-patient room. Washing hands is important to reduce the risk of diseases, such as HBV, HCV, HIV. 

For more information on this topic Janitorial Service Directory.  In addition to practices the CDC guidelines for are healthcare environments. Medical cleaning certification is essential in the upkeep of a clean hospital.

These past couple of years have been difficult for us all as you well know first hand. Our happy go lucky worlds were turned upside down by a virus that we basically knew nothing about except for the similar symptoms and the rising death rate of our population! It was extremely scary and some of us lost loved ones along the way and will forever have to be reminded of the horrible sickness that rocked our world. For me this is personal, so I truly understand the importance of implementing medical cleaning practices in residential and commercial situations.

When we clean a medical facility we follow strict guidelines, use specific cleaning chemicals, wear PPE, and sign off on daily reports to ensure the cleaning was completed properly. We should put every residential or commercial cleaning job in the same category with medical cleaning to ensure the safety of the employees and residents of those structures. 

Just as with medical "Universal Precautions" while in a healthcare facility, we should also follow this same recommendation in ALL residential and commercial buildings. Treating ALL residents and employees of these structures to be considered potentially infectious and precautions need to be taken to minimize the risk of exposure. You never know what someone is going through in their private lives, so just because we are not in a healthcare environment does not mean we do not need to follow certain cleaning methods to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. 

How can we implement the same cleaning standards in other structures that we use in healthcare facilities? By following same Health and Safety procedures that are required in medical spaces. Some of these precautions should include but are not limited to, washing hands before and after each location, wear proper cleaning PPE such as latex gloves and goggles, never compress trash manually, use the proper disinfectants and sanitizers for the area you are cleaning, handle laundry cautiously, make sure you clean the high touch surfaces, and always put on new latex gloves when starting a new job. 

I am so happy that I found the IJCSA web page, Doing the certifications and being a member of  https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices I can confidently do my job and feel that I am helping my clients to the best of my ability.

Using harmful products can lead to severe health conditions that may even result in death. Furthermore, the chemicals present in these products are also damaging to the environment. We must raise awareness of the importance of using safe and environmentally friendly products.

As a company, we must strive to educate our clients about the benefits of eco-friendly cleaning methods. We must reassure them that our services are safe and will not contaminate their homes, offices, clinics, or hospitals.

Properly cleaning healthcare facilities is extremely important. A healthcare facility is generally a place where people who are sick or have a health problem go to be treated and with that it is essential to properly clean the facility to avoid patients from getting sick. Viruses, bacteria’s and other pathogens are going to enter the facility and disinfecting/cleaning everything correctly can eliminate those pathogens. Healthcare associated infections can make a patient sicker that what they first went into the hospital.

Hospitals are supposed to be one of the cleanest places but in the other hand it also contains a lot of germs from people who are going in sick. In a hospital there is always people who are touching everything from doorknobs to light switches and if this is not properly clean daily the germs and viruses can become a problem.  Proper training will help identify high traffic areas and with that proper cleaning/disinfecting techniques.

Having a trained cleaning crew will be of great benefit it will give you a peace of mind knowing that your crew have the knowledge to clean efficiently a healthcare facility.  IJCSA is a great association that offers trainings and with that you can be certain that you get a great cleaning company. Check out https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices to find a certified company.

I think we are all tired these days. Confused from the pandemic and beginning to try and navigate this life of pathogens, world crisis, politics and ever-growing crime. We all must adapt unfortunately, until the situation gets better. I won't add an alternative to that, because it must get better. In the end, most of us just want to live happy, healthy, clean, prosperous and in love with our homes, families and safety and one thing we learned from the pandemic is, cleanliness is essential, and I believe we have all made strides to do better and make the necessary changes that will behoove our lives and keep the germs and illnesses away as best as possible. 

Janitorial work, especially in the commercial realm is not for the faint of heart, but just as teachers love to teach and doctors love to heal, cleaning is in the heart and soul of those that choose this profession. Making things livable, wiping the handprints, the germs, the pathogens away is a satisfaction achieved by those of us who do it out of love and respect for the space we all share, the lobbies, churches, doctor's offices or the homes of the busy that are making their strides and have chosen to delegate. Then there are those that have faced catastrophic losses, illness, depression and other avenues that have caused the cleaning part of their lives to take a backseat to actual living and luckily, a company, especially those in the directory of the IJCSA, that are just a phone call away to help. Companies that have taken the measures to be in a partnership that are like-minded and want nothing more than to help those that need help, and make spaces livable, clean, safe and geared towards green and environmentally friendly. Spaces that allow us to congregate that should and deserve to be clean and inviting. 

I have worked in healthcare for many years and saw the downtrodden and overworked janitorial staff, doing their part to clean and do the best they can while others took that for granted. Patients remaining sick for things like a simple table wipe down and better instrument decontamination practices could have prevented. Some people love the smell of wildflowers or expensive perfume, and don't get me wrong I love and appreciate those things as well, but there is nothing like a germicide, or a good (albeit faint) bleach smell that gets me motivated. How satisfying it is to pressure wash the mold and make things new again. It makes me smile and look for my gloves just thinking about it. 

Just know, when you hire a reputable company, such as the hard-working companies you will find that are IJCSA certified, you are hiring those that have made it their mission to work tirelessly in order to give you that same fuzzy feeling of love through disinfectants. 

Maintaining a clean and organized living or working environment is essential for our overall well-being. However, finding a trustworthy and professional cleaning person or company can often be a challenging task. That's where the International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association (IJCSA) RCS Certification comes in. Hiring a cleaning person or company that has successfully passed the IJCSA RCS Certification offers several key advantages that ensure a high standard of service and peace of mind.

1. Expertise and Knowledge: The IJCSA RCS Certification signifies that the cleaning person or company has undergone comprehensive training and possesses the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver top-quality cleaning services. The certification covers various aspects of cleaning, including effective cleaning techniques, proper use of equipment and cleaning agents, and safety protocols. By hiring an IJCSA RCS-certified professional, you can rest assured that your cleaning needs will be handled by experts who are up-to-date with the latest industry practices.

2. Professionalism and Reliability: IJCSA RCS-certified individuals and companies are committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and reliability. They understand the importance of punctuality, confidentiality, and respect for your property. These professionals are dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service and ensuring your complete satisfaction. By hiring an IJCSA RCS-certified cleaning person or company, you can expect a hassle-free experience and a cleaning service that exceeds your expectations.

3. Industry Best Practices: The IJCSA RCS Certification emphasizes adherence to industry best practices. This means that certified professionals follow environmentally friendly cleaning practices, promoting sustainability and the use of eco-friendly cleaning products. They are knowledgeable about proper waste disposal and recycling methods, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment. By choosing an IJCSA RCS-certified cleaning person or company, you actively support sustainable cleaning practices and contribute to a greener future.

4. Safety and Security: When it comes to hiring a cleaning person or company, safety and security are paramount concerns. The IJCSA RCS Certification ensures that the certified professionals undergo background checks, ensuring that they have a clean record and can be trusted in your home or office space. Moreover, the certification covers safety protocols, including the proper handling of cleaning chemicals and equipment, minimizing the risk of accidents or damage to your property. Hiring an IJCSA RCS-certified cleaning person or company provides you with peace of mind, knowing that your safety and security are prioritized.

5. Continuous Professional Development: The IJCSA RCS Certification is not a one-time achievement. Certified professionals are encouraged to engage in continuous professional development, staying updated with the latest cleaning techniques, equipment, and industry trends. By hiring an IJCSA RCS-certified cleaning person or company, you benefit from their commitment to ongoing learning and improvement. This ensures that you receive the most efficient and effective cleaning services tailored to your specific needs.

In conclusion, hiring a cleaning person or company that has passed the IJCSA RCS Certification offers numerous advantages. From their expertise and knowledge to professionalism, adherence to industry best practices, safety measures, and commitment to continuous professional development, these certified professionals provide a level of service that sets them apart. When you choose an IJCSA RCS-certified cleaning person or company, you can trust that your cleaning needs will be met with excellence, leaving you with a clean, healthy, and comfortable environment.

What is the importance of cleaning and employees and staff knowing about bloodborne pathogens? We have all heard the saying, “cleanliness is next to godliness,” and this statement is not only true, but it should be a standard requirement when providing cleaning services for businesses. Safety is another important aspect of taking care of employees and staff. In order to provide topnotch cleaning services, employees and staff must not only be vetted properly prior to onboarding but also be trained in how to appropriately handle bloodborne pathogens.

The first thing to address as an employer is making sure employees and staff understand what are bloodborne pathogens? Many cleaning employees and staff may not be familiar with the term or have a concrete definition of what it is. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA, 2020), bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Needlesticks and other sharps-related injuries may expose workers to bloodborne pathogens. Workers in many occupations, including first responders, housekeeping personnel in some industries, nurses and other healthcare personnel, all may be at risk for exposure to bloodborne pathogens. However, when employees are knowledgeable about what it is and the seriousness of how it can cause long-term health issues and death, bloodborne pathogen training is taken more seriously.

Next, the employer must be diligent in providing an ongoing control plan to reduce risks when handling bloodborne pathogens. This control plan should be provided during onboarding and revisited quarterly to keep employees and staff up to date with changes or additional updates provided by OSHA. Each day there are circumstances or situations caused by accidental punctures from contaminated sharp objects with bloodborne pathogens.

Finally, the employer should always provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure and keep employees and staff safe. Employers should provide signs that advise others to avoid high risk areas and reduce the risk of employees and staff becoming exposed to bloodborne pathogens.

In conclusion, protecting employees and staff from bloodborne pathogens should be a top priority. As commercial cleaning business owners, it is imperative to protect our business through safety by contributing to a healthy, sustainable workforce. We are charged with the responsibility of taking care of our customers, and this same consideration must be provided for employees and staff.