If there is one place that must be kept at an extremely high level of cleanliness and hygiene at all times, it would be the medical office. Not only is it mandated by the government, but a clean workplace also prevents the spread of germs from and to sick patients, and protects the health and safety of staff and patients alike.
With the amount of demands doctors and staff members have to face on a daily basis, they’ll need additional hands in keeping the medical office in mint condition. Dirty or unsanitary workspaces can have grave consequences, and can lead to losses in medical licenses and patients.
With the help of a good medical cleaning service, you can comply with the industry’s strict regulations while providing a pleasant environment for your patients. Here is a quick medical office cleaning checklist that’ll come in handy for when you hire a professional cleaning service:
Exterior Cleaning
Beyond aesthetic appearances, the outside of your office should be maintained in a highly sanitary manner to prevent the introduction of germs, dirt, and other debris into your office.
Be sure that your cleaning service takes care of the following tasks to avoid potential hotspots for bacteria growth:
- Cleaning around dumpsters
- Emptying and cleaning external trash cans and ashtrays.
- Keeping the parking lot free of debris.
- Removing standing water or other slip and fall hazards from primary walkways
- Regular cleaning or swapping of walkway and entrance mats
Back Office Cleaning
Back offices usually have a lot of high touch areas, which can easily turn into a hotspot for germs. Make sure cubicles and other stations that your employees work from everyday are cleaned and that all electronic equipment is sanitized to prevent the disastrous spread of germs.
Keep areas sanitized by performing the following tasks regularly:
- Sweeping and vacuuming the floors.
- Mopping all hard surface flooring.
- Regularly emptying the trash.
- Removing clutter around desks and the office.
- Cleaning and disinfecting all horizontal surfaces in the medical office, including desks daily
- Cleaning and sanitizing walls
- Disinfecting phones, keyboards, and mice.
- Wiping and sanitizing the inside of the refrigerator and microwave in the breakroom
- Cleaning and disinfecting sinks, coffee pots, and mugs regularly
Entryway and Waiting Room Cleaning
Entryways and waiting rooms are places that frequently have high foot traffic, and usually see a significant accumulation of sick patients. Prevent the spread of germs to the rest of the facility with these tips:
- Regularly disinfect all door handles and plates
- Sweep and mop all hard floorings daily
- Clean and disinfect all tables, chairs, and counters regularly
- Sanitize any children's toys in the area
- Strip and wax hard floorings at least once per year to maintain a professional appearance and to protect its surfaces
Restroom Cleaning and Maintenance
Restrooms can say a lot about a medical office’s cleanliness, so make sure to regularly maintain them with this checklist:
- Have a readily available supply of toilet paper, soap, and paper towels at all times
- Regularly check toilets and urinals for clogs or leaks and repair immediately
- Clean and disinfect all handrails daily
- Sweep, mop, and scrub the floors regularly
- Clean all walls and vertical surfaces frequently, starting from the bottom and working your way up to avoid damage from streaking
- Clean and sanitize all sinks, faucets, mirrors, changing tables, and counters
- Empty trash bins regularly and remove any debris from the floor or counters
- Clean and disinfect urinals, toilets, door handles and plates
Patient Room Cleaning
To make sure your patients feel as comfortable and safe as possible, keep patient rooms in mint condition with these tasks:
- Regular sweeping, mopping, and scrubbing of hard floorings
- Scheduled cleaning and disinfecting of all beds, counters, chairs, sinks, and faucet fixtures
- Cleansing and sanitizing walls weekly
- Sanitize and disinfect door handles and plates daily
Additional Cleaning to Keep in Mind
Other considerations you should also keep in mind when maintaining a clean environment for the medical office include:
- Ensuring that there are no strong chemical odors lingering in the air, as this can trigger respiratory issues
- Making sure cleaning products used are EPA-approved or free from any toxic chemicals
- Regularly cleaning air ducts and making sure to filter the HVAC system with medical-grade HEPA filters for healthy airflow.
- Avoiding germ hotspots by sanitizing buttons in elevators and vending machines
- Having a bottle of hand sanitizer available for staff and visitors in high traffic areas
Medical Office Cleaning Done Right
The cleanliness of your medical office has a direct impact on the wellbeing of your patients and employees. Be sure to download this checklist below for a more comfortable and safer workplace.
