This week I participated in a symposium organized by the ISSA (International Sanitation Supply
Association). The
event focused on The
ROI of Clean – An Industry Forum. There were several key
takeaways from the day, but the "pearl of
wisdom” that really struck a chord with me was the concept of the “Clean
Syndrome”. Some of you may know of it
by another name.....your mom. You know
that person who miraculously was always there to pick up after you and keep the
house tidy? Then one day you grew up,
moved out and wondered how you came to live in such a pig sty?
Association). The
event focused on The
ROI of Clean – An Industry Forum. There were several key
takeaways from the day, but the "pearl of
wisdom” that really struck a chord with me was the concept of the “Clean
Syndrome”. Some of you may know of it
by another name.....your mom. You know
that person who miraculously was always there to pick up after you and keep the
house tidy? Then one day you grew up,
moved out and wondered how you came to live in such a pig sty?
The concept of the “Clean Syndrome” is that if the space you
occupy is clean, you are more apt to keep it clean (e.g. clean up after
yourself, a colleague or your boss).
It’s a simple concept. If you
make a mess, clean it up. If you see a
mess, clean it up. If you have a candy
wrapper in your hand, don’t drop it because there is no garbage can within your
sight line and for Pete’s sake DO NOT DROP IT ON THE GROUND just because you’re
outside and on your way to the car.
occupy is clean, you are more apt to keep it clean (e.g. clean up after
yourself, a colleague or your boss).
It’s a simple concept. If you
make a mess, clean it up. If you see a
mess, clean it up. If you have a candy
wrapper in your hand, don’t drop it because there is no garbage can within your
sight line and for Pete’s sake DO NOT DROP IT ON THE GROUND just because you’re
outside and on your way to the car.
Imagine a culture where each of us took pride in ensuring
our facility looked immaculate. I mean
immaculate ALL the time, not just because you have an important visitor
coming. Imagine if you saw a piece of
trash on the floor or lane way while walking into the office you picked it
up. Imagine what would happen if
everyone started to do that!
our facility looked immaculate. I mean
immaculate ALL the time, not just because you have an important visitor
coming. Imagine if you saw a piece of
trash on the floor or lane way while walking into the office you picked it
up. Imagine what would happen if
everyone started to do that!
If you were to Google “Clean Syndrome” you’ll find a number
of entries on OCD. In no way am I saying that we need to become
obsessive, but there is plenty of science to show that a clean environment aids
in improving quality and quantity of work.
We know that a clean environment can stop the spread of diseases. We know that people follow by example and
within the hospital environment it’s not enough to simply tell people to wash
their hands. A facility that changes
their culture so that everyone from the C-suite down believes in the importance
of hand hygiene and sets the example by doing it, will see an improvement in
hand hygiene rates.
of entries on OCD. In no way am I saying that we need to become
obsessive, but there is plenty of science to show that a clean environment aids
in improving quality and quantity of work.
We know that a clean environment can stop the spread of diseases. We know that people follow by example and
within the hospital environment it’s not enough to simply tell people to wash
their hands. A facility that changes
their culture so that everyone from the C-suite down believes in the importance
of hand hygiene and sets the example by doing it, will see an improvement in
hand hygiene rates.
The same follows suit for cleaning the environment. If we all work to keep a facility clean we
set an example and show the housekeeping staff that their role is a vitally
important one. If we all work together
we can build a culture of keeping it clean and not a culture of leaving it to
the housekeeper, the janitor or the secretary to clean up after you.
set an example and show the housekeeping staff that their role is a vitally
important one. If we all work together
we can build a culture of keeping it clean and not a culture of leaving it to
the housekeeper, the janitor or the secretary to clean up after you.
Thanks to Lori, Diana and Carlos who keep our office
clean....especially Lori and Diana who are always cleaning up after us! I hope you’ll thank whoever it is at your
facility that keeps the space clean and perhaps the next time you see a wrapper
on the floor, rather than walk over it pick it up! After all, clean space is a healthy space. OH....to the person who keeps putting their
dirty dishes in the sink, we do have a dishwasher you know....and if it’s full
of clean dishes, empty it!
clean....especially Lori and Diana who are always cleaning up after us! I hope you’ll thank whoever it is at your
facility that keeps the space clean and perhaps the next time you see a wrapper
on the floor, rather than walk over it pick it up! After all, clean space is a healthy space. OH....to the person who keeps putting their
dirty dishes in the sink, we do have a dishwasher you know....and if it’s full
of clean dishes, empty it!
Bugging Off!
Nicole
