Clean away the risk of infections with microfibre

By ahhb
Tuesday, 15 September, 2015

With around 200,000* healthcare-associated infections in Australian acute healthcare facilities each year, prevention and control of infection is a top priority for hospital and healthcare facilities. Effective cleaning practices are essential in protecting the safety of staff and patients within healthcare facilities. A key element to achieve this is using the right cleaning products that improve infection prevention, provide superior performance and increase productivity to create a healthy environment.

Often hospital and healthcare staff rely too heavily on chemicals to guarantee a hygienic environment, yet the use of chemicals is quickly being side-lined by ‘chemical free cleaning’ or ‘sustainable cleaning’. Staff also may not be aware that outbreaks often occur because microbes become resistant to certain chemicals which stop working, opening the facility up to the risk of potential outbreaks.

There is a growing movement in the healthcare industry towards sustainable cleaning practices, using microfibre to control and prevent infections. Microfibre is effective due to its ability to remove fine particles, bacteria, microbes, and oils hidden in surface crevices, that cotton sponges or cloths typically cannot reach. Microfibre products completely remove microbes, with less water, and without the need to use harsh chemicals that kill but don’t remove bacteria.
An important step in the prevention of infection is to ensure all bacteria and particles are completely removed from surface areas to prevent the bacteria spreading and eliminate the food source for other bacteria to grow. The Rubbermaid HYGEN Disposable Microfibre System, in conjunction with chemicals or steam, effectively kills the bacteria while the microfibre removes it from the surface, providing a thorough clean.
Described as an industry first, the Rubbermaid HYGEN Disposable Microfibre System features innovative technology that offers optimal infection prevention, superior cleaning performance and improved productivity. It is the only Disposable product line in the healthcare industry proven to remove 99.9% of microbes, including C. diff, which helps stop the chain of infection.
Suitable for any surface, the HYGEN Microfibre system provides streak-free cleaning for mirrors, glass and stainless steel and can be used for dusting or wet cleaning. To clean larger areas, the disposable microfibre mop can be used wet or dry and is compatible with Rubbermaid Pulse or Rubbermaid HYGEN Charging Bucket.
With more coverage than leading disposable cloths, the HYGEN microfibre system also features built-in scrubbers that enable complete dirt removal without smearing.
In a hospital environment, reaching a higher level of cleanliness is an important goal. Areas where microfibre products can be used to effectively prevent infection include occupied and discharged patient rooms; emergency, ICU and isolation rooms; nurses’ stations; MRI and X-ray machines; and other public areas. As patients and staff come into contact with these areas regularly it’s important that they remain clean to prevent the spread of disease from person to person.
The superior cleaning power of microfibre allows staff to do more with less by removing all bacteria in a sustainable way. By removing the need for chemicals it takes away previously required steps in the cleaning process, providing increased productivity and cost savings. This creates a secondary benefit for hospital and healthcare facilities by preventing the costs associated from outbreaks or ongoing infections.
With infection control and prevention a top priority for hospitals and healthcare facilities it’s worth considering the benefits of sustainable cleaning using the HYGEN microfibre system, as the uptake of sustainable cleaning in the Australian healthcare industry quickens pace.
*Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare 2010