Cleaning – general procedures

Cleaning is important for infection control – particularly in work areas – because deposits of dust, soil and microbes on surfaces can transmit infection. Contaminated areas such as operating rooms or isolation rooms must be cleaned after each session, and spot cleaned after each case or thoroughly cleaned as necessary.

The following basic principles should be followed:

• written cleaning protocols should be prepared, including methods and frequency of cleaning; protocols should include policies for the supply of all cleaning and disinfectant products
• standard precautions (including wearing of personal protective equipment [PPE], as applicable) should be implemented when cleaning surfaces and facilities (see ‘Standard and additional precautions’)
• cleaning methods should avoid generation of aerosols
• all cleaning items should be changed after each use and cleaned and dried before being used again. They should also be changed immediately following the cleaning of blood or body fluid/substance spills. Single-use cleaning items are preferred, where possible, such as lint-free cleaning cloths
• sprays should not be used, because they can become contaminated and are difficult to clean. Sprays are not effective, as they do not touch all parts of the surface to be cleaned
• detergents should not be mixed with other chemicals
• all cleaning solutions should be prepared fresh before use.

Cleaning – specific procedures

Surface cleaning

Floors in hospitals and day-care facilities should be cleaned daily or, as necessary, with a vacuum cleaner fitted with a particulate-retaining filter. The filter should be changed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

The exhaust air should be directed away from the floor to avoid dust dispersal.

A ducted vacuum cleaning system can also be used, as long as safe venting of the exhaust air is ensured.

Damp dusting using a lint-free cloth is essential. Brooms disperse dust and bacteria into the air, and should not be used in patient or clinical areas. Dust-retaining mops, which are specially treated or manufactured to attract and retain dust particles, do not increase airborne counts as much as ordinary brooms and remove more dust from surfaces. However, brooms and dust-retaining mops should not be used in clinical areas where there is a high risk of infection associated with dust (for example, burns units).

The procedure for routine surface cleaning is as follows:

• All cleaning solutions should be prepared immediately before use.
• Work surfaces should be cleaned (wiped over) with a neutral detergent and warm water solution, rinsed and dried before and after each session, or when visibly soiled. Spills should be cleaned up as soon as practical.
• When a disinfectant is required for surface cleaning, the manufacturer’s recommendations for use, and workplace health and safety instructions should be followed.
• Buckets should be emptied after use, washed with detergent and warm water, rinsed in hot water and stored dry (turned upside down).
• Mops should be laundered or cleaned in detergent and warm water, rinsed in hot water, then stored dry. Mop heads should be detachable or stored with the mop head up.

Specialised areas

Isolation rooms and ensuite bathrooms should be cleaned at least twice daily, depending on the type of microorganism.

Operating rooms and day procedure rooms, including endoscopy rooms, should be cleaned after each operating session and when visibly soiled. Thorough cleaning of the operating suite should be performed daily in addition to the cleaning performed after each operating session.

Obstetric areas, particularly delivery suites, should be cleaned after each delivery, when visibly soiled and at least daily.

Oncology areas should be cleaned twice daily.

Sterilising processing departments should be cleaned at least twice daily and when visibly soiled.

Wet areas

The following should be cleaned at least daily and more frequently as required:

• toilets, sinks, washbasins, baths and shower cubicles
• all fittings attached to showers, baths and handbasins
• surrounding floor and wall areas.

Walls and fittings

Walls and screens should be cleaned quarterly or if visibly soiled.

Blinds and curtains should be cleaned quarterly or if visibly soiled.

Carpets should be vacuumed daily and other floor surfaces washed daily and when soiled.

Bed and examination screens should be changed weekly and when visibly soiled.

Cleaning Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease infectious agents

Spills of central nervous system tissue or cerebrospinal fluid should be absorbed with paper towels and disposed of by incineration. The surface should then be soaked with one molar sodium hydroxide or 2.0–2.5 per cent sodium hypochlorite, left for 1 hour and cleaned again with paper towels that are disposed of by incineration.

Cleaning other infectious disease agents

Spills of blood or other body fluids and tissues should be cleaned using standard spills management procedures. PPE used when cleaning contaminated surfaces should be incinerated after use. Reusable eye protection should be cleaned as above.

Maintenance of cleaning equipment

Cleaning items (including solutions, water, buckets, cleaning cloths and mop heads) should be changed after each use. They should also be changed immediately following the cleaning of blood or body substance spills.

These items should be washed in detergent and warm water, rinsed and stored dry between uses. Mops with detachable heads should be laundered between uses.

Spills of laboratory cultures of human pathogens

Spills of laboratory cultures should be absorbed with paper towels and disposed of as clinical waste. The contaminated surfaces should be treated with 2.0–2.5 per cent sodium hypochlorite, left for 1 hour and cleaned again with paper towels that are disposed of as clinical waste.

Laboratories should also refer to AS/NZS 2243.3:2002: Safety in laboratories – microbiological aspects and containment facilities.

Waste disposal

All healthcare facilities should have policies and procedures in place for the correct management of all waste generated. The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has clear guidelines on how waste should be managed. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) also has guidelines on the management of waste generated in healthcare facilities.

Waste is classified into three main groups of waste:

• general
• clinical
• pharmaceutical.

All waste should be stored in secure areas until collected. Waste disposal companies licensed with the EPA will collect all clinical and pharmaceutical waste for disposal in specialised waste disposal facilities, which are also licensed by the EPA.

Waste should be removed from clinical areas at least three times each day and more frequently as needed, such as from specialised areas. Waste bags should be tied before removing from the area.

General waste disposal

Place in general waste bin for removal.

Clinical waste disposal

Place in biohazard bags as soon as possible. Biohazard bags have a biohazard symbol and are currently coloured yellow.

Single-use sharps should be placed (by the user) into a sharps container that meets the Australian and New Zealand Standards AS 4031:1992 and AS/NZS 4261:1994.

Pharmaceutical waste disposal

When uncertain about how to dispose of leftover pharmaceuticals, they should be returned to pharmacy for correct disposal.

Most disinfectants can be disposed of through the sewer system by running cold water into the sink before pouring the disinfectant into the sink. Leaving the cold water running for a few moments after the disinfectant has been disposed of dilutes the disinfectant.