First standards for cleaning and disinfection of COVID-19 isolation rooms
Until now, Switzerland lacked a binding standard for the cleaning and disinfection of COVID-19 isolation rooms. Now the ZHAW, together with a network of experts, has developed such standardized processes as well as measures and recorded them in learning films for cleaning and temporary staff.
The cleaning and disinfection of COVID-19 isolation rooms places special demands on cleaners and those responsible in homes and hospitals. Until now, there has been no binding standard in Switzerland for the cleaning and disinfection of isolation rooms, especially for COVID-19. For this reason, ZHAW experts and professionals from the healthcare sector and the cleaning industry spontaneously organised themselves into the network "Cleaning standard for isolation rooms with Covid-19" and developed such standards.
The resulting learning films serve to guide and instruct cleaning and temporary staff and range from donning and doffing personal protective equipment to cleaning and disinfection procedures in patient rooms. "We took the initiative for the standardisation of processes and protective measures as well as learning videos at short notice because we were approached by a hospital," says Irina Pericin Häfliger from the Institute of Facility Management at the ZHAW.
Standard defined together
The standard developed is intended not only to provide technical support to hygiene and cleaning managers during the Corona pandemic, but also to be used for training temporary staff in hospitals and homes in the event of staff shortages. Therefore, the recommendations were developed jointly by the experts in the network with a view to protecting staff and operational practicability. For example, details in the procedures had to be defined: What personal protective equipment is required for cleaning staff? When is waste disposed of and where?
How does the lock-in and lock-out work? In the proposed measures to protect the health of healthcare workers, the team has taken into account the continuously updated recommendations of the Professional Association of Healthcare Workers. Swissnoso The cleaning standards, which are illustrated in learning videos, provide cleaning managers with an orientation aid and, for the first time, concrete training material for health protection during the COVID 19 pandemic and beyond," explains project manager and ZHAW cleaning expert Irina Pericin Häfliger.
Learning videos for cleaning and disinfection
Based on the standards developed, the network produced a series of training films on, for example, lock-in and lock-out for isolation rooms or the workflow for maintenance and exit cleaning of patient rooms. The films serve as a guide for the cleaning staff and show the correct steps for cleaning and disinfecting COVID-19 rooms. What is learned can also be evaluated with a test online. "With the training videos, we are focusing in particular on cleaning staff who, due to their working environment, belong to an occupational group with an increased risk of infection," emphasises Thomas Leiblein, Senior Specialist Infection Prevention of the Hirslanden AG.
The voice-overs in the training videos are available in German, Italian and French, but are also understandable for other language groups. "Our recommendations will remain significant beyond the time of the Corona pandemic and will serve as a basis for further standardization efforts," says Pericin Häfliger.
New training videos:
The Institute of Facilities Management (IFM) has worked with stakeholders in the healthcare and cleaning industries to produce training videos on how to clean Covid-19 patient isolation rooms.
Train cleaners to clean isolation rooms with Covid-19 and convey safety. This is the aim of the trilingual training videos (DE/FR/IT) of the "Network Cleaning Standard Covid-19" on the topics: What does Covid-19 insulation mean, how is the donning and doffing of protective equipment done, and what are the steps of maintenance and basic cleaning. Each video is accompanied by a German-language test with which the training participants can test their acquired knowledge.
Cleaning of isolation rooms at Covid-19 - Introduction to the topic
How do I clean an isolation room for Covid-19 patients? Learn the principles of protective measures, cleaning techniques and procedures in the German-language introductory video.
Do you understand everything? Take the test and then watch the next video in the series: "The infiltration".
The infiltration
Before cleaning an isolation room, you need to properly put on the protective equipment to protect yourself from the coronavirus. Learn what to put on in what order in the video.
Do you understand everything? Take the test and then watch the next video in the series: "Maintenance cleaning workflow".
Workflow maintenance cleaning
Learn how to proceed with a maintenance cleaning for isolation rooms and what is important.
Do you understand everything? Take the test and then watch the next video in the series: "Exit cleaning workflow".
Exit cleaning workflow
Here you will learn how to proceed with an exit cleaning for isolation rooms and what to look out for.
Do you understand everything? Take the test and then watch the next video in the series: "The ejection".
The smuggling out
After cleaning an isolation room, you need to take off the protective equipment correctly, so you do not catch the coronavirus. Learn what to take off and where in what order in the video.
Do you understand everything? Take the test and then watch the "complete film cleaning isolation room at Covid-19".
Full movie
Learn what is involved in cleaning isolation rooms for Covid-19 patients. The principles of protective measures, cleaning techniques and procedures are explained and you will learn about the procedures for entry and exit, maintenance and exit cleaning.
Do you understand everything? Take the test.
About the network cleaning standard Covid-19
The Network Cleaning Standard Covid-19 developed and produced the training series:
Idea: Prof. Dr. Susanne Hofer, Institute for Facility Management (IFM), Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)
Project Management: Irina Pericin Häfliger, Institute for Facility Management (IFM), Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)
Co-Creation: Max von Däniken, Head of Infrastructural Management, GZO Wetzikon; Severin Gallo, CEO, and Oliver Jud, Head of Corporate Development, gammaRenax AG; Roger Graf, Member of the Board Allpura and CEO Graf Facility Services AG; Thomas Hofmann, Lecturer, IFM; Peter Kunz and Markus Rüfenacht, Gareba GmbH; Dr. Thomas Leiblein, Senior Specialist Infection Prevention, Hirslanden AG; Doris Scheiwiller, Course Instructor, Diversey Training Center; André Sidler, Head of Marketing and Services, Deputy Hospital Director, Seeklinik Brunnen; Franz J. Sperisen, Head of Hotel Services, See-Spital; as well as other stakeholders from the healthcare and cleaning sectors.
(Film and Cut: Fornito Valentino, Media Creator, FM Academy c/o gammaRenax AG Facility Services)
