Worksheet: Specific cleaning
requirements
There is a common saying amongst vet nurses that 90% of the job involves cleaning. You
may agree with this, but just how good a cleaner are you?
Different sections of the veterinary clinic require different cleaning standards—this is an
important point to remember. Your clinic should have policies in place which outline these
standards, the appropriate methods of cleaning and disposal of wastes.
Below are six photos, each showing a different section of a veterinary hospital. For each
photo, write some notes on the questions below and then compare your answers with the
suggested responses at the end of this worksheet.
a) What are the cleaning requirements for this section of the hospital?
b) What cleaning requirements are specific to this section when compared to other sections
of the hospital?
c) What types of wastes would you be required to dispose of in this section of the hospital?
d) How should this waste be correctly disposed of?
Operating theatre
Cleaning requirements
Specific requirements
Types of waste
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Correct disposal method
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Clinical pathology lab
Cleaning requirements
Specific requirements
Types of waste
Correct disposal method
Consultation room
Cleaning requirements
Specific requirements
Types of waste
Correct disposal method
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Hospital cage room
Cleaning requirements
Specific requirements
Types of waste
Correct disposal method
Reception and waiting area
Cleaning requirements
Specific requirements
Types of waste
Correct disposal method
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Animal treatment area
Cleaning requirements
Specific requirements
Types of waste
Correct disposal method
Feedback
Operating theatre
a) You need to destroy as many micro-organisms as possible to limit infection during
surgery. Follow aseptic principles.
b) This should be the cleanest section of the hospital, and should therefore be cleaned first.
At the end of the day the entire surgical suite should be completely cleaned and
disinfected. Don’t forget the top of the lights.
c) Contaminated waste from surgery. Sharps such as needles and scalpels.
d) Contaminated wastes in contaminates waste bag and incinerated. Sharps in sharps
container.
Clinical pathology lab
a) There may be clinical pathology equipment to clean. Benches and cupboards will need
to be wiped down and sinks cleaned.
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b) May have stains and dyes to clean up. Beware of zoonoses from pathology samples and
handling sharps.
c) Pathology sample, disposable tests and sharps. Glass slides and blood tubes.
d) Pathology samples and tests in biological wastes. Sharps and glass slides need to be put
in sharp container.
Consultation room
a) Tables, benches and cupboards to clean. Floors need to be vacuumed to remove loose
hair. Examination equipment needs to be cleaned.
b) Needs to be clean and hair free. No bad smells. The consultation table needs to be
cleaned and disinfected after every patient. Examination equipment such as the ear
pieces from the otoscope, need to be cleaned after each patient. You may need specific
disinfectant if infectious patient has been in the room.
c) Sharps from needles and micro-chipping needles, ear swabs, hair.
d) Sharps in sharps container, all other rubbish in normal rubbish container.
Hospital cage room
a) Cages, food bowls, benches, floors to be cleaned. Food bowls, animal wastes to be
removed.
b) Animals housed in this section, so animal wastes, soiled bedding, and smells to
consider. Need to prevent cross-contamination between patients. Wash hands between
patients. Wear gloves when cleaning cages and litter trays. Medications and drugs may
be used.
c) Faeces and urine left over food, old bedding and newspaper, needles and syringes, IV
fluid equipment, catheters.
d) Animal wastes in sealed bags in garbage. Needles need to be put in the sharps container,
syringes and IV equipment in hazardous wastes.
Reception and waiting area
a) Floor needs to be vacuumed and washed to remove loose hair. Chairs need to be wiped
down. Reception desk and side tables need tiding. Windows need to be cleaned.
b) Ensure no smells. The room needs to be neat, tidy and clean because client first
impressions count. Fresh flowers and a healthy pot plant are a good idea. Some type of
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plug in or burning air freshener is nice. You may need specific disinfectant if
infectious patient has been in room.
c) Occasional faeces or urine accidents.
d) Normal garbage.
Animal treatment area
a) Floors, tables, benches, sinks and cupboards to clean.
b) Lots of medications prepared and given in this area, so organisation and disposing of
rubbish away is important.
c) Disused medication, sharps, syringes, bandaging material, swabs.
d) Medication as per MSDS information. Sharps should be put in the sharps container,
syringes and bandages in rubbish.
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