feature healthcare cleaning
A guide to improved hospital cleaning whilst reducing the noise factor Even prior to the pandemic, healthcare settings have had to maintain the highest levels of hygiene in order to keep their hospital acquired infections (HAIs) in check and ensure patient safety. As such, hygiene in healthcare environments has always been regarded as a pertinent issue to reduce transmission and ensure patient safety.
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n the following article, Tennant Company, a recognised leader in designing, manufacturing and marketing solutions that help create a cleaner, safer, healthier world, offers an in-depth understanding of cleaning in the healthcare industry during a pandemic and beyond.
Choosing the correct equipment Forward-thinking hospitals and clinics need to stay ahead of the technology curve to maintain their competitive advantage. With innovative technologies from quieter vacuums to battery-powered burnishers, you can give your cleaning teams the proper tools to do their job more efficiently, keeping patients more satisfied and healthier.
Quieter cleaning equipment Most commercial buildings have noise levels averaging around 90 decibels, yet the World Health Organization states that noise exceeding 35 decibels may lead to more stress, among other ailments. The most common affecting sounds come from loud talking, telephones, televisions, and carts or objects being moved around the building. In addition, noise
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African Cleaning Review July/August 2022
from the street can often bleed into the building as well. Despite the many culprits of high decibel levels, cleaning machines are often singled out as being the sole source of disruption. However, many new machines feature quiet-mode settings that can drastically reduce the noise emission to nearly 60 decibels. This is a tremendous improvement over the rumbling machines of the past, and these newer models can help create an environment where cleaning is more frequent, productive, and unobtrusive.
Regular maintenance Even the most advanced and efficient machine can become significantly louder without regular maintenance. Some of the most common methods of noise-level maintenance include: • Oiling the wheels on burnishers to prevent squeaking • Updating or replacing wheels when they become too worn • Replacing vacuum belts • Changing the vacuum’s bag regularly • Replacing old filters to ensure effortless airflow All of these simple check-ups can help to keep your machine running
smoothly and quietly for years to come. Along with this, you can stay up to date on any newer filters or parts that work solely to reduce noise. Every year, there are new machines and accessories being released that clean better and quieter than before. By keeping up with the latest news, replacing old machines, and maintaining your current machines, you can significantly reduce noise while cleaning in any building. When it comes to choosing equipment that can aid in noise reduction efforts, hospital teams may focus on floor cleaning equipment. Many of the latest floor equipment models have noise reduction technology making them highly effective while fitting into the hospital’s overall commitment to a quiet environment.
Carpet cleaning equipment The latest, rapid-drying carpet cleaning equipment can lower noise levels considerably while also reducing cleaning time. Many of these machines use a quieter microfiber technology which leaves almost 90 percent less water on the carpet compared to older methods and allows carpets to dry in under 30 minutes.
