Small helpers, big impact Where machines are the better option

Retirement homes are becoming smaller and more personal. Where the focus is on resident wellbeing, individual care takes the experience a step further. With hygiene always playing a central role, the question is how to maintain it at the highest standards with minimum constraints for residents. Here are a few pointers.When the topic turns to hygiene in the facilities cleaning business, it doesn’t take long for the word “disinfection” to come up. Fact is, hygiene begins with actual cleaning and that means much more than just disinfection. The process of cleaning the premises should be as thorough and effective as possible to achieve a result that satisfies hygiene requirements and doesn’t disturb the residents in their daily lives. But what does effective mean? In retirement homes, as well as everywhere else, really, effective cleaning ultimately depends on the following factors: The space to be cleaned, the way it is used and the realities of cleaning. The factors that influence hygiene levels in retirement homes certainly also depend on matters of economic efficiency and are thus subject to cost pressures – whether the facility is publicly or privately owned or operated. That is why the tenet “Where possible, get the work done with machines rather than people” is even more pertinent in retirement homes than in other areas. Machines? The noise, setup and travel times, loading times and all those hard-to-reach places that need thorough cleaning. These are just some of the issues that constantly come up when the subject is hygiene – and how to improve it. That is why choosing the right brand and the right type of cleaning machine is so important at the outset. Here, we look at the criteria that will narrow down the search and point to the equipment that is best suited to achieving the desired cleaning and hygiene results in a retirement home. Site specifics (cleaning room, supply stations, materials and surfaces) As retirement homes get smaller, space for cleaning rooms and storage facilities tends to shrink as well. Since the idea is to maximize general utility but also to take care of quick and easy in-between cleaning jobs, battery-powered vacuum scrubbers machines are at an advantage. Today’s innovative quick-charging systems also ensure that the cleaning unit is always ready for use. Shorter charging intervals also mean greater availability. Noticeably longer running times can be achieved, even with a low battery capacity. Quick-charge systems also allow for charging whilst other jobs are being carried out and cleaning assignments are being set up, and, of course, during breaks. This is an important benefit and it puts manual cleaning at a disadvantage, especially if one considers that a large number of cleaning machines can be equipped with supplemental manual cleaning equipment and supplies (sprays and scrubbers) for peripheral areas. Keeping setup times to a minimum is key. The on-board dispensers found on machines make a big difference: They reduce both travel and setup times, increasing productivity. At the same time, they ensure correct dosage of the cleaning product. Incorrect dosage doesn’t just affect the cleaning performance: Overdosing, for instance, may impact the anti-slip properties of the flooring. Here, precedence should always be given to dispensing systems that are designed to handle listed detergents. An on-board system consists of a pump that, depending on water intake, regulates the detergent flow rate. The concentration can be adjusted gradually and it always remains constant, even if the operator raises or reduces water intake. This effectively prevents under or overdosing. The system can also be used in machines without water pumps. The detergent is conveniently stored in a canister on the machine. Usage patterns (cleaning times, contaminants, noise, safety (fear of slipping when the floor is wet /damp) A well-maintained cleaning machine leaves the floor in a dry enough condition to walk on after cleaning. More disturbing, and therefore of greater significance, is the noise impact of the cleaning unit. As indicated in the table on the left a ‘normal’ conversation is at a level of about 60 dB, and this is classified as an ideal noise level for machines. Scrubbing machines of well-known manufacturers, feature active sound insulation that keeps the emissions level at about 63 dB(A). What is measured is the noise level at the operator’s ears, i.e. those of the cleaning personnel. That means that the actual noise exposure for the elderly and other users of the facility is even lower. The other aspect is safety: When cleaning with machines, the combination of scrubbing and vacuuming must leave the floor dry enough to avoid any risk of slipping. This is especially important when you consider that a shiny, damp-looking floor looks slippery (and thus dangerous), and not just to the elderly. Hygiene requirements (preventing cross contamination, optimizing cleaning performance – especially in peripheral areas) No need to discuss the health risks posed by germs, especially in the healthcare sector. At this stage we all know there is no room for compromise. Having said that, the importance of preventing cross-contamination cannot be overemphasized. In this context, products with antibacterial properties are attracting increasing interest. An antibacterial tank system, for instance, clearly improves hygiene levels in the tanks and on the cleaned surfaces – in addition to preventing smelly tanks. As a result, much lower quantities of disinfectant are needed, especially for cleaning the tanks. These factors not only positively impact hygiene and the environment, but also improve occupational health and safety because there is simply less exposure to bacteria, fungi, spores and unpleasant smells. At the end of the day, meeting the high hygiene demands in retirement homes depends on the manufacturer and the service provider working together as partners to ensure that the cleaning machine gets the job done and gets it done right in this sensitive environment. Sascha Hintze | markus.targiel@holzmann-medien.de

Small helpers, big impact Where machines are the better option

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