There are a variety of dangerous pathogens commonly transmitted by exposure to blood, ranging from Brucellosis and Hepatitis to HIV and Syphilis, to name a few. Therefore, meticulously following safety protocols when working around blood or any other bodily fluids is of the utmost importance. Exposure to various viruses, bacteria, and parasites that are transmitted in this manner can cause serious damage to your body over time, which may result in permanent injury or death.

  If your skin or eyes are directly exposed to blood, immediately flush the affected area with water. Follow all applicable post-exposure protocols. Always be cautious when working around biological hazards or any biological matter. Be sure to always communicate any possible hazards you may encounter to your coworkers and/or supervisor. Above all, try not to panic if and when exposure occurs.

  The high cost of healthcare in the United States often has an oppressive effect on many sufferers of bloodborne pathogens, which is another important consideration. Following safety protocols and paying attention at all times should help you avoid exposure in the first place, but you should still familiarize yourself with post-exposure protocols if you are going to be working around bio-hazards. Never compromise your safety for the sake of a deadline.

It is important to properly clean healthcare facilities to preclude or prevent the spread of germs. As we have all experienced during the global pandemic for the coronavirus, germs can quickly spread from person to person and cause serious illness and even death. Proper aseptic cleaning should be second nature to all janitorial and custodial service providers.

We have to diligent about preventing cross-contamination. We must use an EPA N-Listed disinfectant and ensure that our staff read the directions and allow the disinfectant the allocated drying time. Additionally, companies should implement and ensure their staff follow the color coded microfiber cloth usage best practice. Cloths used to wipe down bathrooms should never be used anywhere else. When mopping, companies should follow the two-bucket method so that dirty water is never reapplied to a floor.

Germs are everywhere. We offer viral load testing for our clients. Cleaning is the removal of organic matter and the reduction of risk from material which is a potential contaminant, or material which could support the survival and growth of microbes. Disinfection is the reduction of microbiological hazards to a minimal level but not necessarily complete inactivation of all microbiological hazards. Sterilization is the complete destruction and inactivation of all microbial hazard. ATP monitoring is a rapid testing method used by food and beverage processors to quickly assess the cleanliness of surfaces or liquid samples from such places as CIP systems. Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is present in all organic material and is the universal unit of energy used in all living cells. ATP is produced and/or broken down in metabolic processes in all living systems. Processes such as photosynthesis in plants, muscle contraction in humans, respiration in fungi, and fermentation in yeast are all driven by ATP. Therefore, most foods and microbial cells will contain some level of naturally occurring ATP.

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In these unprecedented times of contagious viruses and bacteria it is essential for cleaning personnel to maintain a clean and safe environment for the public. These viruses can be transmitted from one surface to another simply by coming in contact with a host unknowingly. The best defense is offense in combating these often invisible (to the naked eye) viruses and bacteria from spreading from one host to another. "The work you do reflects on you", as a whole, the facility you maintain, and your entire organization. Follow safety protocols to ensure you're not part of the transmission problem but part of the solution. Always wear the proper PPE, disinfect thoroughly, use safe storage and handling guidelines of chemicals and equipment and proper labeling and disposal practices. Pay special attention to detail, (all touch surfaces) maintain a proper image and communicate with anyone whom reports an area of concern or special attention when needed. Remember, you are a front line worker in which the "public's safety" is relied upon you and the service you provide.

Many people will tell you that COVID-19 has fundamentally changed how we look at cleaning at home and in the office.  In some cases this is certainly true in terms of documentation of cleaning and what disinfectants should be used.

However, aside from some of the strongest disinfectants, the actual disinfectants used have not changed much, just the frequency.  As such, it is important for employees and clients know just how frequent application and cleaning is ongoing.  This is where a daily cleaning log should be used to document when and where disinfection has been completed.

The processes used in a healthcare facility can also be used to enhance recycling protocols in commercial environments and enhance the accuracy of record keeping.  Further, proper cleaning and disinfection can reduce the threat for viruses and bacteria to impact your staff or force a business to close down due to lack of staffing.

The implementation of medical cleaning in all the environments from residential to commercial environments can help to enhance a clean and safe environment. 

In today's world, there are a plethora of reasons why it is imperative that individuals working in the cleaning industry understand what bloodborne pathogens are, the risks involved in being exposed to them, and the proper knowledge to protect themselves and others in order to minimize, if not eliminate those risks involved, and how to safely deal with situations in which exposure is suspected. 

As long as there are people, there will be a need for cleaning on various levels. Cleaning is such a natural and necessary component of our daily lives! There are so many different types of cleaning being done out there today, ranging from those who clean in a healthcare setting, to custodians, to hotel housekeeping, those who clean homes, and individuals, myself included, who operate small commercial cleaning businesses.

Each job that involves cleaning should *always be considered to carry a risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, as we come across many, often unpredictable, situations as cleaners, and should have the know-how to protect not only ourselves from the risks of exposure to transmittable diseases, but those who are around the area, whether as an employee, resident, client, visitor, and so on. 

I absolutely LOVE to clean (cleaning therapy is a real thing!), and enjoy helping other small businesses in my community in this way. I take my job incredibly seriously, and I know many out there in the cleaning industry do as well. By taking the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Training Program and keeping up to date on certifications annually, and using what I've learned in this program*each and every time I clean, is being a responsible cleaner, and helps me to do my very best in helping keep my clients, family, community, and myself as safe and healthy as I possibly can! 

By knowing what bloodborne pathogens are, how to protect yourself and others from them, and how to handle situations that exposure has occurred, an individual truly could help save a life! 

Understanding what bloodborne pathogens are, how they affect people, and how to clean and disinfect in areas most known to have them present is critical in the cleaning industry.  Understanding how virus and bacteria spread will dictate the type of PPE and chemicals used by a cleaning company.  It is essential that staff working in the cleaning industry are familiar with these types of pathogens and how to properly clean for their safety and the safety of others who inhabit the space. 

If staff are not trained properly accidents can happen.  For example, if staff who are changing linens need to be aware that bodily fluids could be present in the linens to avoid accidental exposure to such fluids.  These fluids could be blood, urine, fecal matter, semen, etc.  Proper PPE should be worn at all times which can include mask, gloves and gowns.  In addition to fluids, staff should also be aware of the possibility of a needle stick should one accidently be left behind in a patient or client bed.  If hazardous fluid is suspected to be in the contents, then staff should dress accordingly.  These items can transmit bloodborne disease so being educated and being properly trained on how to handle them is essential.

In summation, it is for the safety of the staff working in the cleaning industry to understand the importance of bloodborne pathogens, how they transmit and what possible lifelong implications may be lurking should there be an accidental exposure.  One should know to report an possible exposure as soon as possible to his or her superiors and follow necessary first aid protocol should he or she suspect and accidental exposure. 

In the janitorial industry, there will be a time when we will come across to clean facilities that deal with blood and body fluids that are affected. Removing trash that contains used syringes, handling laundry from medical facilities soiled with blood, or simply cleaning up after a sick person is especially important to know how to help eliminate exposure and even the spread of harmful bloodborne pathogens. There needs to be education and training on bloodborne pathogens and set up processes and systems in place to minimize exposure, and in case of contamination to have a plan in place for the isolation and prevention of spreading bloodborne pathogens. Therefore, it is imperative for cleaning techs and staff to know everything about bloodborne pathogen standards to help prevent exposure.

Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms in blood and bodily fluids that cause diseases to humans. Bloodborne pathogens are spread through direct contact (blood, bodily fluids), indirect contact (an object e.g. needlestick, that contains blood or body fluid of an infected person), and respiratory droplet transmission (sneeze or cough). Cleaning techs and staff need to be educated and trained on universal precautions and be able to apply that knowledge successfully. This means to have an understanding of bloodborne pathogens (e.g. HIV, HBV), washing hands before and after handling items and objects that deal with blood and bodily fluids, wear always PPE equipment, and practice controls to limit exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Furthermore, cleaning techs and staff must know what to do immediately after they have been exposed to a bloodborne pathogen, and how to handle to promote exposure control. Finally, there must be a post exposure management protocol in place, so immediate confidential medical evaluations can be provided to the effected employee at no cost. Having all these in place helps to prevent bloodborne pathogen exposure.

Bloodborne pathogens are real and harmful. Not knowing what they are, and how to work with them without education and training is sending your staff and cleaning techs to their doom. Therefore, it is imperative for your staff and cleaning techs to pass through a bloodborne pathogen certification to educate your employees for their safety, their clients, and the community. Having an education on bloodborne pathogens will prepare your staff and cleaning techs with the necessary tools and equipment to deal with issues like these and carry out their jobs successfully having a peace of mind knowing that everyone is safe.

Properly cleaning healthcare facilities will kill germs and stop spreading disease, preventing sickness or even death of the people involved. 

Follow the correct cleaning methods beginning from organizing janitorial cart, to washing hand, to put on personal protection equipment (PPE), to steps of cleaning of each particular areas. Cleaning method of each patient room will be different depending the status of the patient: patient occupying room, discharge room or infectious/isolation patient room. Correctly cleaning high touch areas plays a big role in efficiency cleaning of medical facility, since those areas are mostly carrying germs or virus and could be transferred to others. 

Finishing the cleaning route by correctly removing PPE and disinfect tools will help spreading disease to other areas in the building. 

Medical cleaning certified company will ensure the safety of your staff as well as your patient and also benefit non- medical facility by correctly disinfectant its facility. International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association has a lot of members who are medical cleaning certified, please check on our directory for a well qualified company in your area: https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices 

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.

They are the first ones to arrive and quite possibly the last ones to leave.  They make sure that our days go smoothly and comfortably.  Some may think it is a thankless job but they deserve their flowers today.  The Janitorial staff is a critical component of our day to day life.

Janitors are instrumental in making sure that the workplace or school facilities are comfortable and clean on a day to day basis.  They do so much more than that.  These individuals are usually the first to arrive to the facility and make sure that everything is in order for the general public's arrival.  These individuals continuously do their job at an optimal level with a smile on their face.  Typically the janitor staff are some of the nicest people you will ever meet.  Not only are these individuals creating a clean and safe work environment for everyone, they are definitely a joy to know.  

Day in and day out, the janitorial staff delivers to it's customers.  They make sure our surroundings are clean and sanitary.  Their work is the first impression for some facilities.  With the proper training from https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices , the janitors are further equipped with the skills to excel at their positions.  They are the unheralded heroes of the workplace.