Terminal cleaning
Terminal Cleaning
Terminal cleaning (/tərˈmɪnəl ˈkliːnɪŋ/) is a thorough and detailed cleaning procedure for a patient care area that has been used to treat a patient with a known or suspected infectious disease. The goal of terminal cleaning is to reduce the risk of spreading infection to other patients and healthcare workers.
Etymology
The term "terminal cleaning" comes from the idea that this type of cleaning is done at the "end" or "terminal" point of a patient's stay in a healthcare facility. It is a final, comprehensive cleaning process that takes place after the patient has been discharged or transferred.
Procedure
Terminal cleaning involves a series of steps that must be followed in a specific order to ensure that all surfaces in the patient care area are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. This includes:
- Removing all linen and waste from the room.
- Cleaning all surfaces with a hospital-grade disinfectant, including floors, walls, furniture, and medical equipment.
- Paying special attention to high-touch areas, such as doorknobs, light switches, and bed rails.
- Using a ultraviolet (UV) light or other technology to kill any remaining germs.
Related Terms
- Disinfection: The process of killing or inactivating microorganisms that can cause disease.
- Infection control: The discipline concerned with preventing healthcare-associated infections.
- Patient safety: The prevention of errors and adverse effects to patients associated with healthcare.
- Healthcare-associated infection (HAI): Infections that patients acquire while receiving treatment for medical or surgical conditions.
See Also
- Environmental services (EVS): The department responsible for cleaning, maintenance, and security in a healthcare facility.
- Infection prevention and control (IPC): A scientific approach and practical solution designed to prevent harm caused by infection to patients and health workers.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Terminal cleaning
- Wikipedia's article - Terminal cleaning
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