1
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
PATIENT ROOM DISCHARGE
CLEANING PROCEDURE
PROVIDING A CLEAN AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT
FOR PATIENTS, VISITORS AND STAFF.
OUR CAUSE IS HEALTH,
OUR PASSION IS SERVICE
WE ARE HERE TO MAKE LIVES BETTER.
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PATIENT ROOM DISCHARGE
MATERIALS REQUIRED
1. Personal Protective Equipment as
Needed.
*Gloves
*Safety Glasses
2. Housekeeping Cart stocked and
ready
( Please refer to the cart setup
Procedure)
3. Assorted Forms
4. Pens
5. Disinfectant cleaner
6. Glass Cleaner
7. Multi-Purpose Degreaser
8. Cream Cleaner
9. Neutral Cleaner
10. Quantamary Ammonium
11. Micro Fiber Cleaning Cloths
12. Cleaning Pail
13. Putty Knife
14. High Duster Tools
15. Plastic liners for waste
containers, linen and bio hazard
waste
16. Paper Towels
17. Toilet Seat Covers
18. Toilet Tissue
19. Endure 50
cartridge soap
20. Antimicrobial Hand Gel and
Lotion
21. Broom
22. Dust pan and small counter
brush
23. Bowl Mop or Bowl Brush
24. Micro Fiber mops and mop
bucket and wringer
25. Wall Washer
26. Wet Floor “Caution” Signs
27. Tongs for picking up needles
28. Adhesive Remover
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PATIENT ROOM DISCHARGE
PREPERATION
1. Inspect your uniform for general
cleanliness and appearance. If your
uniform is excessively soiled, change into
a clean article of clothing.
2. Attach name badge to your lapel and
remember that your badge must be worn
and in sight at all times during working
hours.
3. Wear appropriate personal protection
equipment.
4. Stock your housekeeping cart with
required equipment and supplies.
5. Always start your day with fresh
Disinfectant Cleaner.
18 REQUENTLY TOUCH
POINTS
1. Toilet Seats
2. Flush Handles
3. Toilet Hand Rails
4. Commodes
5. Shower Faucets
6. Sink Top and Handles
7. Bathroom Light Switches
8. Pull Cords
9. door Knobs and Door Levers
10. Bed Rails
11. Bedside Table and Tray Table
12. Telephones
13. Call Boxes
14. Patient Chairs
15. Patient Room Door Knobs, Door
Levers and area surrounding
Levers and Knobs
16. Patient Room Thermostats and
Light Switches
17. Soap Dispensers
18. Computer Work Stations
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PATIENT ROOM DISCHARGE
PROCEDURE
1. Enter the room carefully.
A. Call into Dispatch and give room
number.
B. Look for infection control signs that
indicate the need for special precautions.
These signs may be printed or there may
be evidence of isolation gowns in waste
containers. If this is the case call dispatch
for clarification of cleaning requirements.
C. Follow protocol for hand hygiene and
use of alcohol based hand rubs. Wash
hands and then put on gloves, and any
other personal protective equipment that
may be necessary.
D. ALWAYS knock and announce
yourself “Hello Housekeeping” to make
sure that the room is unoccupied.
E. Leave your cleaning cart in the
hallway as close as possible to the wall.
Take only the supplies and equipment
you need in the room as you need them.
2. Do a visual inspection of the room
A. Reset the thermostat to the appropriate
temperature so the room can adjust prior
to the arrival of the next patient.
B. Survey the area and pick up any loose
trash.
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PATIENT ROOM DISCHARGE
C. Survey the area for leftover tape.
Remove tape with adhesive remover if
necessary.
D. Be alert for needles and other sharp
objects. Pick up sharps using a
mechanical device such as tongs, forceps
or brush and dustpan and place them into
a sharps container. Be sure to document
any discovery of any loose needles.
3. Soiled Waste Removal
A. Use caution and look for protruding
objects in the waste containers. NEVER
reach into or push on the bag to compress
the trash.
B. Check for heavy objects in the
container that would prevent safe
removal.
C. Close, twist and tie a knot in the top of
the plastic trash liner while it is still in
the container.
D. Remove and place for disposal.
Emptied waste will be disposed of in the
appropriate container: Red waste bags
will be placed in bio hazard waste
receptacles and clear bags in waste
receptacles.
E. Wipe inside and outside of container
with micro fiber cleaning cloth from
disinfectant solution pail. Let stand for 10
minutes. Replace liner.
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PATIENT ROOM DISCHARGE
4. Remove Soiled And Used Linen
A. Check for heavy objects in container
that would prevent safe removal.
B. Use caution and look for protruding
objects in the linen container. NEVER
reach into or push on the bag to compress
the linen in its container.
C. Close, twist and tie a knot in the top
of the linen bag. Place the linen in the
appropriate container for proper transport
to the laundry.
D. Remove gloves and follow protocol
for hand hygiene and use of alcohol
based hand rubs after handling any waste
from the room.
5. High Dust Wall Articles
A. High dust the tops of items along the
patient room and restroom walls (picture
frames, clocks, etc.) that are at or above
your shoulder height.
B. Use a long handled high dusting tool
and make long slow strokes.
6. Disinfect Computer Workstations
A Computer work stations are frequently
touched points and are to be cleaned both
daily and upon discharge.
B. Hand hygiene should be performed
between room cleaning and the cleaning
of the computer as well as putting on
clean gloves.
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PATIENT ROOM DISCHARGE
C. Computer keyboards and mice with or
without covers should be cleaned and
disinfected using the standard quaternary
ammonium compound impregnated wipe.
D. Monitors should be wiped with a dry
microfiber cloth.
7. Change Or Inspect Privacy Curtains
And Window Treatments.
A. Inspect the privacy curtains for spots or
stains.
B. If soiled set up the stepladder if needed, be
sure to place it squarely on a level surface
and locking it open before climbing on to it.
C. Remove and bag the curtains for
laundering or dry cleaning. Be aware of the
presence of blood and body fluids and use
proper precautions such as gloves. Hold the
soiled curtain away form your body to
prevent contamination of your clothing.
Place the bag in appropriate area for pickup
D. Damp wipe the tracks.
E. Hang the clean curtain and ensure that it is
working properly.
8. Dust mop the floor
A. Place the micro fiber on the floor dusting
cloth holder.
B. Inspect the floor for debris and wet spots.
Dry all wet spots. You cannot dust mop a wet
floor
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PATIENT ROOM DISCHARGE
C. Remove any gum or other sticky residue
form the floor by gently prying it loose
with the putty knife (be careful not to
scratch the floor finish).
D. Use the swivel motion of the frame and
wrist action to change direction. Don’t lift
the cloth off the floor once you have
started.
E. Move furniture to one side of the floor,
dust and then repeat.
F. After dust mopping the entire area,
gently sweep the pile of litter and dirt into
the dustpan using the small broom. Dispose
of the soil into an appropriate trash
container. Never leave a pile of debris in a
corner for later pick-up.
9. Clean the patient bed
A. Clean the mattress with a clean cloth
and disinfectant cleaner. Clean the top and
sides of the mattress then fold the mattress
in half and clean the exposed bottom of the
mattress.
B. Clean the exposed bed springs and
frame.
C. Fold the mattress to the other side of the
bed and clean the exposed bottom of the
mattress, bedsprings and frame.
D. Unfold the mattress and re-wipe the top
and sides of the mattress. Check for any
soiled spots that you may have missed.
E. Clean the headboard, footboard, side
rails, and bed controls with disinfectant
