The well trained and well equipped Housekeeper is on the
frontlines in the war against healthcare acquired infections. Honest, hardworking and often overlooked (or
looked down upon), she struggles to make ends meet. She shows up every day ready to work,
regardless of the pressures at home; getting kids ready for school or worrying
about her husband’s job security. As she
clocks in and gets to her assigned floor or patient care area, she wonders how
Mrs. Simmons in 8707 is doing. Her
daughter and husband looked worried yesterday when she was in cleaning Mrs.
Simmons room. That’s the toughest part
of the job she thinks to herself; seeing people hurting and at times,
hopeless.
That’s why she makes a promise to all of “her” patients
and their loved ones every morning.
Armed with her cleaning products, hospital approved disinfectant and
microfiber wipers and mops, she promises every patient and their loved ones
“Not on my watch! MRSA, VRE and C. diff
won’t get past me! I’m on guard, that I
promise you!”
and their loved ones every morning.
Armed with her cleaning products, hospital approved disinfectant and
microfiber wipers and mops, she promises every patient and their loved ones
“Not on my watch! MRSA, VRE and C. diff
won’t get past me! I’m on guard, that I
promise you!”
She doesn’t fight alone, but sometimes that’s the way it
feels. Do you even know her name? Have you bothered to join her in the
trenches? Have you told her that you are a “band of brothers (or sisters)”? At
times she sees the doctors, residents, or nurses move around the room touching
surfaces without gloves on; or worse, with gloves soiled with who knows what?
Even though she is seen as nothing more than a “buck private”, she reminds
those with higher rank: “Wash your hands like your mother told you when you
were a little one on her knee!”
feels. Do you even know her name? Have you bothered to join her in the
trenches? Have you told her that you are a “band of brothers (or sisters)”? At
times she sees the doctors, residents, or nurses move around the room touching
surfaces without gloves on; or worse, with gloves soiled with who knows what?
Even though she is seen as nothing more than a “buck private”, she reminds
those with higher rank: “Wash your hands like your mother told you when you
were a little one on her knee!”
As she enters each room, she’s aware of the enemy
presence. Sometimes it is visible in the blood spattered wall above the trash
can. Most of the time though, they are invisible; but she knows they are on
every high touch surface. Carefully and meticulously, the housekeeper does her
hygiene cleaning, taking careful aim at the antibiotic resistant organisms
where they hide in plain sight. She is confident in her training, the weapons
in her arsenal (cleaners and disinfectants) and that her unwavering dedication
will win the war.
presence. Sometimes it is visible in the blood spattered wall above the trash
can. Most of the time though, they are invisible; but she knows they are on
every high touch surface. Carefully and meticulously, the housekeeper does her
hygiene cleaning, taking careful aim at the antibiotic resistant organisms
where they hide in plain sight. She is confident in her training, the weapons
in her arsenal (cleaners and disinfectants) and that her unwavering dedication
will win the war.
Will she win or not? Will you join her in the battle?
Often her position is overlooked in its necessity. She needs to be the most
dedicated link of the chain and is the most critical component of the war. In
contrast she is typically underappreciated for her work, despite its
importance. So why do we forego the opportunities to give thanks to the
selfless individual with these crucial and necessary tasks? It needs to be
clearly recognized that your life or the life of a loved one depends solely on
her performance. The thing is patients aren’t statistics or collateral damage
in the battle; they are mothers, fathers, and grandparents alike, they are the
children of somebody or the best friend of another.
Often her position is overlooked in its necessity. She needs to be the most
dedicated link of the chain and is the most critical component of the war. In
contrast she is typically underappreciated for her work, despite its
importance. So why do we forego the opportunities to give thanks to the
selfless individual with these crucial and necessary tasks? It needs to be
clearly recognized that your life or the life of a loved one depends solely on
her performance. The thing is patients aren’t statistics or collateral damage
in the battle; they are mothers, fathers, and grandparents alike, they are the
children of somebody or the best friend of another.
Because she is one of the “good guys”, I’m pulling for
her to win the war of HAI’s. How about you?
her to win the war of HAI’s. How about you?
J. Darrel Hicks, BA, REH, CHESP
Author of “Infection Prevention for Dummies”
Go to: www.darrelhicks.com to order your FREE copy of
“Infection Prevention for Dummies” (just pay S&H) or to see other blogs and
articles.
“Infection Prevention for Dummies” (just pay S&H) or to see other blogs and
articles.
Darrel Hicks is
the author of Wiley Publishing's "Infection Control For Dummies", and
is nationally recognized as one of the top experts in infection control. Darrel
is also the immediate Past President of the IEHA and is an active member in
ASHES where he holds the designation of CHESP. Darrel started his career in the
management of housekeeping services in 1981. He has worked in hospitals ranging
in size from 20-500 beds, and knows what it takes to plan, set goals and
provide guidance and consultation to the management team and department(s)
staff. He has managed as many as 13 departments and 170 F.T.E.’s at one time in
a 3-hospital system. In that healthcare system Darrel had to pioneer and
discover ways to save money by cross training staff, job sharing, controlling
overtime and putting a system of controls in place.
the author of Wiley Publishing's "Infection Control For Dummies", and
is nationally recognized as one of the top experts in infection control. Darrel
is also the immediate Past President of the IEHA and is an active member in
ASHES where he holds the designation of CHESP. Darrel started his career in the
management of housekeeping services in 1981. He has worked in hospitals ranging
in size from 20-500 beds, and knows what it takes to plan, set goals and
provide guidance and consultation to the management team and department(s)
staff. He has managed as many as 13 departments and 170 F.T.E.’s at one time in
a 3-hospital system. In that healthcare system Darrel had to pioneer and
discover ways to save money by cross training staff, job sharing, controlling
overtime and putting a system of controls in place.
