Medical Facility Cleaning Checklist: The Ultimate Guide 

Medical facilities in BC must meet stringent standards for cleanliness to reduce the risk of HAIs and keep patients and staff safe. As commercial cleaning experts, we have cleaned healthcare facilities of all kinds; though each clinic is unique, they must all meet these health and safety standards.

To help, we have created a detailed medical office cleaning checklist, which you will find below. In this article, we also talk about the regulators that influence standards, how to prevent cross-contamination, and how to know if you need a new cleaning company: 

Understanding BC Medical Facility Sanitation Standards

Alignment With BC Health Authority & WorkSafeBC Guidelines

Sanitation standards for medical facilities in British Columbia are governed by several different entities; though these entities often operate under similar principles, the sheer number of different regulators can be intimidating to healthcare providers seeking to implement proper standards. 

Here are some of the agencies involved in regulating sanitation for medical facilities in BC:

• The BC Ministry of Health, which develops provincial policy
• The five regional health authorities, which are responsible for implementing policy and enforcing safety protocols
• The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), which surveils for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and creates evidence-based guidelines for their prevention through PICNet
• Health Canada, which approves cleaning chemicals for efficacy
• WorkSafeBC, which creates regulations for worker safety

These agencies work together to ensure that safety and health standards are met in healthcare facilities across British Columbia. 

To illustrate how these agencies work together, consider the Best Practice Guidelines

for Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization of Critical and Semi-critical Medical Devices (2011). This guide is hosted on PICNet’s website and was approved by the BC Ministry of Health. The guide was developed by the Province of Ontario, then adapted by the BC Ministry of Health to meet the standards set by provincial regulators.

Medical facility cleaning service providers should consider the standards, regulations, and best practices set and recommended by these agencies for all of the medical facilities they clean. 

The Difference Between Sanitization, Disinfection, & Sterilization

Think of sanitization, disinfection, and sterilization as three different methods of eliminating germs like viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi, distinguished by their intensity:

• Sanitization kills most germs

• Disinfection kills almost all (usually 99.9%) of germs
• Sterilization kills 100% of germs

A fourth activity, cleaning, also acts to remove germs – but with cleaning, the primary goal is not to remove germs, but to remove larger contaminants and obstructions to make a surface cleaner and easier to use.

Cleaning, sanitization, disinfection, and sterilization all have important uses in healthcare facilities. 

Defining “Critical” Vs. “Non-Critical” Surfaces

There are three types of surfaces that regularly come into contact with patients; they are defined as critical, semi-critical, and non-critical:

• Critical items, like surgical instruments and dental scalers, penetrate into soft tissue or bone. These items carry a very high risk of transmitting infection and must be sterilized after use.
• Semi-critical items, like dental mirrors, endoscopes, and some anaesthesia equipment, come into contact with non-intact (chapped or abraded) skin or mucous membranes. Most should be sterilized, but if they are not heat-tolerant, they should at least be treated with high-level disinfection (HLD).

• Non-critical items,  like wheelchairs, bedrails, and stethoscopes, only touch intact skin. They typically only require low-level disinfection, and may be classified as wipeable (which means they can be wiped down using a simple disinfectant like isopropyl alcohol) or hard-to-clean (which means they require a more rigorous cleaning approach because of their material or shape).

The Daily Medical Facility Cleaning Checklist: High-Touch Hygiene

Reception & Waiting Areas

• Disinfect all high-touch surfaces, including:
  • Reception desk
  • Counters
  • Payment terminals
  • Door handles
  • Light switches
  • Push plates
  • Stationary items like pens and clipboards
  • Touchscreens
  • Reading materials
  • Armrests
  • Toys
• Empty and sanitize trash cans and recycling bins
• Vacuum or sweep the floor
• Mop hard floors with a disinfectant solution
• Restock hand hygiene stations

Patient Rooms (Examination Rooms & Treatment Rooms)

• Disinfect all high-touch surfaces, including:
  • Exam tables
  • Patient beds
  • Countertops
  • Work surfaces
  • Light switches
  • Door handles
  • Push plates
  • Faucet handles
• Disinfect non-critical medical equipment, such as:
  • Stethoscopes
  • Blood pressure cuffs
  • Thermometers
• Restock disposable supplies

Washrooms

• Disinfect all high-touch surfaces, including:
  • Toilets, urinals, and sinks
  • Counters
  • Paper towel dispensers
  • Hand dryer buttons
• Refill soap dispensers and paper towel dispensers
• Restock disposable products, including toilet paper and hygiene supplies
• Mop floors with a disinfectant solution

General & Shared Facilities

• Disinfect all high-touch surfaces, including:
  • Railings
  • Elevator buttons
  • Sinks
  • Countertops
• Clean break rooms
• Empty and sanitize garbage and recycling bins
• Sweep and vacuum
• Mop floors with a disinfectant solution

The Weekly Deep-Clean Schedule For Medical Offices

Reception & Waiting Areas

• Wash curtains, drapes, and other fabric
• Dust vents, baseboards, shelves, frames, and decor
• Vacuum upholstered furniture
• Launder fabric, including drapes and curtains
• Deep-clean seating

Patient Rooms (Examination Rooms & Treatment Rooms)

• Deep clean cabinetry and drawers
• Disinfect equipment stands
• Launder fabric, including drapes and curtains
• Clean and sanitize lower-touch medical equipment, like exam lights
• Deep clean floors

Washrooms

• Deep-clean grout and tiles
• Thoroughly disinfect garbage bins and recycling bins
• Deep-clean walls around sinks, hand dryers, and paper towel dispensers

General & Shared Facilities

• Dust vents, baseboards, shelves, frames, and decor
• Wipe and disinfect doors
• Vacuum upholstery
• Deep clean cabinetry and drawers

Monthly And Quarterly Maintenance: Protecting The Asset

Reception & Waiting Areas

• Deep-clean upholstery
• Replace air filters (if needed)
• Check all surfaces for signs of aging

Patient Rooms (Examination Rooms & Treatment Rooms)

• Disinfect and clean monitors, keyboards, and other electronics
• Check and dispose of expired medical supplies

Washrooms

• Thoroughly clean and disinfect walls and flooring

All Rooms

• Deep clean carpets
• Disinfect walls
• Dust and clean ceiling vents
• Clean interior glass
• Clean behind large furniture or equipment
• Restock cleaning supplies and hygiene supplies
• Check for new information on cleaning protocols; update protocols based on new regulations, information, or data

Preventing Cross-Contamination: Technical SOPs

Contact Time Management

Contact time management (also called wet contact time management) is a crucial component of any healthcare facility cleaning strategy. To properly disinfect a surface, it must remain visibly wet for a specific amount of time. Manufacturers will list the wet contact time needed to kill a given amount of different germs. Contact time may differ depending on the germ; bacteria, for example, may take less time to kill than fungal spores.

To prevent cross-contamination, a surface should be left wet with disinfectant for the required amount of time. No surface that touched the area before the wet contact time has elapsed should be used to clean another surface. Healthcare facility cleaning experts like Green Wheel manage wet contact time carefully to ensure that all surfaces are cleaned in a timely manner without the risk of cross-contamination. 

Advanced HEPA Filtration

As noted in the British Columbia Medical Journal, HEPA filtration reduces bioaerosols. To prevent cross-contamination, the filters used in HEPA filtration systems should be disposed of according to the manufacturer’s instructions; N95 masks and other protective equipment should be worn, then disposed of, when changing filters. 

The Green Wheel Edge: Non-Toxic Vs. Traditional Chemical Cleaning

With the essential role that sanitization plays in cleaning health care facilities, we are often asked if it is possible to achieve results that meet or exceed the standards set out by regulators without using toxic chemicals.

The answer is a resounding yes. There are several different chemicals that can be incorporated as green disinfectants in cleaning products, including:

• Accelerated hydrogen peroxide
• Hypochlorous acid
• Lactic acid
• Citric acid

At Green Wheel, we use a variety of green disinfectants in our cleaning products. Our choice to use green products is about protecting the environment and the health of healthcare workers. By providing cleaner facilities without using harsh chemicals that are high in VOCs, we can exceed the standards set by WorkSafeBC and reduce building sickness.

Interested in a greener solution for your medical office cleaning needs? Contact us today. 

How To Audit Your Current Janitorial Service

5 Red Flags Your Cleaner Is Cutting Corners

There are definitely more than five red flags you can spot with a cleaner cutting corners; the most obvious is that your facility looks like a mess. Here are five less obvious, but extremely important, red flags:

• You never hear from a supervisor. Regular check-ins to see if you like your cleaning service, what could be done better, and what you appreciate are an essential part of tailoring the service to your needs. You should hear from a supervisor regularly, and management should be easy to get in touch with.
• You don’t know how supplies are being used. Your cleaner should be able to provide you with clear answers as to which supplies are being used for different surfaces in your facility. Supplies like rags should be used on surfaces without being reused in the same visit (unless they are thoroughly sanitized between uses). Cleaning supplies should dwindle at a consistent pace.

• Hard-to-reach areas are being neglected. Check under furniture and equipment for buildup of dust, grease, and grime. As seen in our checklist above, they should be cleaned at least monthly.

• Shifts are getting shorter. Shifts will get slightly shorter over time; that’s to be expected, as your cleaners grow accustomed to your space. When shifts get significantly shorter, however, it’s a sign that your cleaners may be cutting corners.
• Turnover rates are high. A good cleaning company can land consistent, hard-working employees; this is a benefit to you, because cleaners will get to know your facility, improving cleanliness and turnaround times. When turnover rates are high, cleaners need to relearn your facility – and it’s a sign that your cleaning company isn’t providing what workers want or need. 

The “White Glove” Test For Healthcare Facilities

The white glove test is incredibly simple: Put on a white glove, run your fingers along a surface, and check for dust or residue.

When your glove comes up dirty, it’s a serious problem: It means the surface has not been adequately cleaned, let alone disinfected.

This test is useful because it can be performed so quickly; it is inadequate, however, because it will not give you any data on how well the surface was disinfected. Various swab tests or fluorescent marking tests are better measures of how well a surface has been disinfected. 

Checking For WorkSafeBC Compliance & Liability Insurance

WorkSafeBC is the Workers’ Compensation Board for British Columbia, and employers in BC must register for WorkSafeBC insurance coverage. Any cleaning company you work with must have WorkSafeBC coverage in place.

Companies should also have liability insurance; medical equipment can be incredibly expensive, and if an accident occurs, liability coverage can help ensure that you are compensated for the cost of your equipment. 

Building Your Custom Clinic Sanitation Plan

Every healthcare facility is unique; in order to address this reality, a custom sanitation plan is needed for each facility. A well-designed custom sanitation plan will ensure that your clinic meets or exceeds the standards set out by regulators, while helping you clean your clinic on a schedule and at a cost that works for your business.

Our commercial cleaning company serves healthcare facilities in Victoria and the surrounding area; we’ve been proud to design custom sanitation plans for clinics for over 15 years. Contact us today! 

Upgrade Your Clinic’s Standard Of Care

Your clinic can meet or exceed the standards set by regulators without the need for harsh chemicals and disinfectants. Keep your clinic clean and your staff healthy with Green Wheel.

Our medical office cleaning services include green sanitizing services and deep cleaning services. Get in touch today, and we’ll create a cleaning plan for your facility!