Superior Microfibre Cleaning Technology Helps Make Hospitals Safer and Healthier

The numerous WHS risks associated with commercial-grade chemicals is instigating a shift by Healthcare Management and Administrators towards alternative cleaning methods that help make workplaces safer for staff.

As outlined in the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare, effective cleaning protocols and practices in hospitals and healthcare facilities are critical to reducing the rate of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). With around 200,000¹ HAIs occurring every year, the focus has shifted to prevention using the latest technology in hygiene management.

Rigorous cleaning practices are central to maintaining a healthy and safe healthcare environment. Disinfecting all surfaces and equipment to prevent microbial contamination requires careful attention to detail and effective cleaning practices. Yet, these practices must also be safe for the operator and not present further health risks.

Healthcare cleaning teams commonly rely on strong, commercial-grade chemicals in daily practice. A typical application involves soaking reusable, washable cleaning cloths in bleach or similarly-powerful chemical before wiping over surfaces, followed by a water rinse². After use, these cloths are laundered and chemically decontaminated before being re-used again. It is a time-, labour- and chemically-intensive process.

From a Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) perspective, the heavy reliance on chemicals presents a number of concerns for staff, patients and visitors to a healthcare facility.

Australian WHS Regulations define a hazardous chemical as any substance, mixture or article that has the potential to cause acute or chronically adverse health effects through inhalation, skin contact or ingestion³. If a facility relies heavily on harsh cleaning chemicals, staff and patients may be at risk if exposed to any airborne fumes or residual particles left behind on surfaces.

As more is understood about the WHS impact of widespread chemical use, the efficacy and wider impacts of traditional healthcare facility cleaning practices is increasingly under the spotlight.

Over time, some microbes have become resistant to certain chemicals used in the healthcare sector. Therefore, if the cleaning process fails to remove these microbes effectively, the risk of contamination increases significantly.

A secondary hazard is the fall risk when chemicals and water are used when wet mopping floors, making surfaces slippery. Despite the efforts of cleaning staff to keep areas clear and well-signposted during the required drying period, wet surfaces present a serious headache for WHS compliance. The risk would be reduced significantly if chemical and water use was reduced from the end-to-end cleaning cycle.

The link between healthcare facilities’ cleaning processes and their WHS performance has led to a growing adoption of chemical-free or low-chemical cleaning methods using scientifically-engineered microfibre technology. Superior microfibre products such as the Rubbermaid HYGEN Disposable Microfibre System effectively remove fine dust, grease, dirt and invisible bacteria with less water and without the need for harsh chemicals that present potentially adverse health effects.

Microbes must be removed completely for a surface to be thoroughly clean. The composition of the microfibre surface is designed with tiny fibres that effectively collect, trap and remove fine particles, oils, bacteria and harmful microbes on hard surfaces. The split blended composite material using different polymers creates positive attraction, holding pathogens and dirt amongst the fibres and reducing the risk of transfer.

This microfibre-based cleaning process also solves another WHS challenge associated with workplace injuries. Work-related injuries are extremely costly for any organisation; from the injury-related costs to the impact on productivity, continuity and staff morale. In the healthcare context, lifting objects is one of the most common causes of injury. Adopting a microfibre cleaning solution eliminates the need to lift or carry heavy buckets of water and cleaning chemicals.

Representing an industry first, the Rubbermaid HYGEN Disposable Microfibre System has been engineered to achieve optimal contamination prevention, superior cleaning performance and improved productivity.

Ideally suitable for use throughout a healthcare facility, the HYGEN Microfibre System can be used wet or dry, and provides streak-free cleaning for mirrors, glass and stainless steel. With more coverage than leading disposable cloths, the HYGEN Microfibre System has built-in scrubbers to remove dirt completely.

Workplace health and safety is a pressing concern for Healthcare Management and Administrators. It’s critical that every effort is taken to prevent the spread of disease, reduce the exposure to harmful substances and mitigate the potential for work-related injury for healthcare staff and the patients they care for.

For more information about Rubbermaid Commercial Products visit www.rubbermaidcommercial.com.au or call 1800 331 491.

1. Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare; June 2016. Australian Commission for the Safety and Quality in Healthcare. NHMRC https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/publications/attachments/cd33_infection_control_healthcare_140616.pdf.

2. Sifuentes L, Gerba C, Weart I, Engelbrecht K, Koenig D. Microbial contamination of hospital reusable cleaning towels. American Journal of Infection Control 2013 1-4.

3. Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace: Code of Practice July 2012.  Safe Work Australia http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA/about/Publications/Documents/697/managing-risks-hazardous-chemicals.docx.