Cleaning Methods to Reduce Cross Contamination

Evolution is inevitable. And we have evolved into a primarily indoor society, with most people working, going to school and even shopping and exercising indoors. One thing is certain: we're sharing and spreading a lot of germs. With growing threats like MRSA and VRE showing up in schools, gyms and other non-residential environments, not to mention the 150 billion dollars in lost company productivity each year from illnesses such as influenza and the common cold, it has become obvious that there is a significant need to do a better job of controlling infection in our indoor commercial environments. Fortunately, cleaning science is catching up, and new health-focused cleaning systems have been developed to address the need of cleaner, healthier business facilities.

In recent years, cross-contamination prevention and aseptic cleaning procedures have received a lot of media attention, especially in healthcare facilities, causing a few large commercial cleaning contractors to go beyond "it looks clean," and conduct research and development to create cleaning programs that address infection control for all our indoor business environments. The commercial cleaning industry is feeling the pressure to contribute to the health and safety of our community, by reducing the spread of infections in our business facilities. The most innovative in the industry are taking janitors and custodians of the past and comprehensively training them on health-focused cleaning procedures and guidelines, turning them into infection control professionals who become our first line of defense against the increasing infection rates in our commercial buildings today.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how outdated cleaning methods may be putting healthcare facilities at risk for cross contamination.
• Discuss common mistakes and errors made in cleaning.
• Examine how to identify high-touch spots.
• Describe how administrators can create a comprehensive cleaning program.

Presented by:

Dr. Charles Gerba
Microbiologist
University of Arizona

Dr. Charles Gerba, a microbiologist with the University of Arizona, who specializes in the study of germs and bacteria. Dr. Gerba is a spokesman for Coverall Health-Based Cleaning Systems and the recent launch of a campaign to spread awareness of infection control. He received his B.S. from Arizona State University and his Ph.D. from the University of Miami (Florida), both in microbiology. Dr. Gerba has been featured as an infection control expert in The Wall Street Journal, Good Morning America, ABC News, and other various print publications.

Who would benefit from this program?

• Facility Managers
• Facility Directors
• Architects
• Designers

Continuing Education:

• This program meets the requirements for CHFM and CHSP Continuing Education Credits.