Basic cleaning procedures Basic cleaning methods – Part 1 Basic cleaning methods are • Dusting • Sweeping • Mopping • Suction Dusting In health hazard as dust is a major cause for infection. Dusting is the process of removing this dust. Equipments and supplies: - Duster 2 nos - Dry cloth, wet cloth - Cotton - Spirit - Water Methods of dusting: • Collect all items of required for dusting • Fold the duster so as to be able to dust a number of surfaces • Commence work from the entrance of the room and proceed in the clockwise direction • Start with the highest point to be dusted and work down towards the floor • Prevent overlapping and skipping edges. Hold the cloth loosely so that it can absorb dust easily • Do not shake the dust off the cloth • After the work is complete, wash the duster and put it back in its place Dusting a room • All rooms should be dusted daily. When dusting a room, the following things need to be dusted – Doors and windows – Tables, chairs, cupboards – Cots – Switchboards, lights, fans – Other articles Sweeping Sweeping is the process to remove dust and dirt by using a brush or a broom Equipments and supplies: - Soft broom Dust pan Dust bin Selecting the equipment: - The brush of the broom should be long and dense Do not use a broken dust bin and a broken dust pan Method of sweeping a patient’s room • Keep all the required materials ready • Enter the room only after knocking and getting the patient’s permission to clean • Switch off the fan • If the room is dark, switch on the light • Handpick the solid waste lying around on the floor and put it in the dust bin before sweeping • Keep the windows wide open • Latch the doors and windows to avoid them from banging • Do not shake the dust from the doormat in front of the patient. Take it to the corner of the room, bend and dust it thoroughly • Bend and sweep the room thoroughly, including all the edges and corners • After sweeping the room, put the doormat in its place • Do not drag the tables and chairs. The sound will disturb the patient, and moreover, to avoid the scratches that will collect additional dust • Every nook of the room, including under the cupboard, under the cot and area behind doors and dust collected from the room should swept outside and piled against the walls • Immediately collect the dust in dust pan and put into the dust bin • All the areas of the hospital should be swept in the same manner • Store the broom, pan and dustbin in their allotted place Mopping Mopping also remove any dust that remains after sweeping and any stains on the floor Equipments and supplies: - 2 buckets Water Disinfectant Mop Method of mopping the patient’s room: • Mop only after the room has been swept thoroughly • Before, mopping all the required materials should be at hand • Fill two-thirds of one bucket with water mixed with detergent, and two-thirds of the other bucket with plain and clean water • Place both the buckets on a mat to prevent staining of the floor • Set aside the furniture to clean the floor well. • Rinse the mop in clean water, dip it in the bucket containing the detergent, squeeze it well, and then mop • Mop by drawing a figure “S” from left to right • After mopping each small portion, rinse the mop in clean water, and repeat the process • If the water becomes dirty, replace it with clean water • The dirty water should be poured directly into the bathroom outlet, otherwise the dirty water may idle and cause floor stains • After completing the work, wash the mop thoroughly and dry it in the sun. A wet mop breeds bacteria Scrubbing Scrubbing is done on surfaces that are extremely dirty. This is carried out whenever necessary Equipments and supplies - 2 Buckets - 2 Mops - Brush with a long handle - Cleaning agent Methods of scrubbing a floor • First, sweep the area to be scrubbed, and then dampen it with water • Sprinkle/spray the cleaning agent on the damp area • If the whole room needs to be scrubbed scrub with the long handled brush starting from the far corner and move towards the door • Remove the dirty solution using a mop • Dip the second mop in clean water and mop the floor • Repeat the scrubbing and mopping process until all the dirt is removed • Clean all the equipment and store them back in place Washing • Washing of floors is done to remove the soil and dirt brought in from the outside with the use of water. • Walls are washed at least once a month • Wash as often as necessary to maintain cleanliness and hygiene Equipments and supplies: - 2 Containers - Cleaning agent - Sponge - 2 Swabbing cloth - A ladder to reach high places Methods for washing • Fill one container with a cleaning agent and the second container with water. Place them on a mat to prevent staining • Wipe away loose earth from the area to be cleaned • Dip the sponge in the cleaning solution. Squeeze out the excess solution to prevent dripping • Apply the solution on a small area using a circular motion • Dip a cloth in the clean water and wash the area using an up-down motion • Dry the area with a dry cloth • Repeat the process until the entire area has been cleaned • Change the water and solution frequently • Inspect the work. A well-washed area will have no scratches or patches • Clean the equipments and store them back in place Cleaning the surroundings • Cleaning the surroundings means maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene at the hospital entrance, around the hospital building and the area surrounding the hospital compound • The area outside the hospital compound should be swept daily and the waste should be removed immediately • The parking area in front of the entrance should be checked regularly for diesel and oil stain caused by the vehicles • These should be removed by scrubbing using a scouring powder, otherwise they form stubborn stains • Sunshades and outer walls of the hospitals should be swept daily and washed once a week • Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in the area surrounding the hospital is as important as maintaining the interior