Insights & Solutions

Learn about: How to identify the significant impact of environmental cleanliness on multiple healthcare outcomes, different methods used to measure cleanliness, and a summary of key strategies to improve cleanliness through environmental design, operational and policy changes, and education of personnel.

As part of the cleanliness toolbox, in this issue brief you will learn about how to identify the significant impact of environmental cleanliness on multiple healthcare outcomes, different methods used to measure cleanliness, and a summary of key strategies to improve cleanliness through environmental design, operational and policy changes, and education of personnel.

Learn about: a streamlined design with easy-to-move furnishings and standardized cleaning products that help Environmental Services staff be more efficient and effective, smart furniture selection that can help reduce cleaning time, and the connection between a clean environment and patient satisfaction.

Learn about: the key role flooring played in WellStar Paulding Hospital’s plans to put safety first for staff and patients, how the new flooring is impacting patient perception of cleanliness and improving satisfaction scores, and why Paulding Hospital worked with vendors to achieve the most effective cleaning and maintenance process for the new flooring.

As part of the infection prevention toolbox, in this issue brief you will learn about the importance of hand hygiene in improving safety, quality, and economic impact, a systems approach to hand hygiene that integrates environmental, operational, and personal factors for infection prevention, and new, effective, and easy-to-implement hand hygiene measures.

Learn about: what patients really judge when evaluating a facility’s cleanliness, why patient perceptions of cleanliness directly impact reimbursements, and ways hospitals can improve patients’ views of cleanliness, quality, and safety. 

Hand hygiene is the single most important component of healthcare-associated infection prevention. The physical environment plays a key role in promoting hand hygiene. Effective hand hygiene strategies integrate environmental, personal, and organizational/operational elements.    

The following are compiled from research literature, case studies, interviews, and other materials to provide an overview on the topic of infection control.  

Learn about: the interdisciplinary infection control working group created to guide design decisions, the methods used to protect individuals from infection during the construction process, and the design strategies implemented in the new facility to reduce the spread of infections.

Learn about: the importance of considering patients' perceptions of cleanliness, ways to look beyond patient perception of cleanliness to create a truly clean environment, and things architects and designers can do to help create clean spaces.