CM/Spotlight: Infection Control Inventory Cost And Loss Depending on the size of the hospital, the upfront costs for a microfiber program are not realistic for most EVS budgets. For example, a 350-bed facility would require approximately 10,000 microfiber towels a week — that’s upwards of $25,000. Once the investment is made, it is impor-tant to focus on containment and limiting replacement costs. One way to do this is with a check-in and checkout system. When cleaning staff retrieve their keys and mobile communication devices, they can also receive the allocated number of microfiber towels and mops. At the end of their shift, staff will check in these materials. Holding staff members accountable for a specific amount of inventory will help reduce loss. With an outsourced managed program, a supplier representative first conducts an audit of the facility to assess the microfiber needs. A program is then customized specifical-ly for those operations by taking into account the size of the facility, average number of rooms cleaned and general put-through rates. The total amount of microfiber required for effective infection prevention is determined and the appropriate inventory is stocked. using chlorine bleach at a wash tempera-ture of 160 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Most in-house laundry systems cannot achieve this temperature, which limits the quality of the laundering cycle. Be sure to read the label because microfiber of poorer quality will become less effective when laundered with bleach, diminishing its “magnetic” properties and breaking textile fibers. As the fibers in the microfiber become increasingly ineffective through the laun-dering process, it reduces the efficacy of the cleaning performed. The effectiveness of the microfiber can also be degraded when washed with linen or cotton products. If microfiber towels or mopping pads are accidently thrown in with other items, such as bed sheets or patient gowns, the microfiber attracts cotton fibers, which clog the microfiber and make it difficult for it to pick up smaller particles. With an outsourced or managed microfiber program, used or dirty microfiber is taken to a laundry facility equipped with specialized washing and drying technology. cleaning and disinfecting. Improved worker productivity is another benefit of using quality microfiber, as EVS staff members do not need to wipe the sur-face as many times to ensure its cleanli-ness. When selecting a managed microfiber program, look only at vendors that offer top-performing microfiber, as this will reduce associated program costs such as chemi-cals and labor. Training With an average industry employee turnover rate of 200 to 300 percent, a coor-dinated training program can reduce the amount of time and labor an EVS director spends directing training efforts. With the dangers associated with cross-contamination, it’s imperative that employ-ees understand both the techniques and processes for using microfiber in order to capitalize on the full benefits of the pro-gram. With training required for both new and current employees, courses can take an extensive amount of time for administrators to prepare and facilitate. In addition, laundry personnel require training to understand protocols and rec-ommendations for cleaning microfiber. To reduce the likelihood that training ses-sions are overlooked or that employees do not receive the proper training due to limit-ed time and resources, working with a man-aged microfiber program ensures that all the necessary training is conducted and properly documented. Instructors offer proven best practices for cleaning with microfiber to reduce worker injuries, improve patient satisfaction scores and reduce opportunities for cross-contam-ination. If you’re using microfiber, it’s important to look at all the peripheral factors contributing to your program. After reviewing your program, you’ll likely find that the time and labor associated with managing your microfiber might be as much or more than the initial investment. In order to get the most out of your pro-gram without the cost, an outsourced, man-aged microfiber program might be the right option for you. CM Poor Quality Microfiber With many different qualities of microfiber available, it’s important that EVS directors remain wary when selecting microfiber for their facility. If microfiber fabric has a low percentage of microfiber to the total composition split, uses foam backing or is unable to withstand high drying temperatures or chlorine bleach, it is likely to be less durable than higher quality microfiber. The problem with using microfiber with a low composition split is that it will be prima-rily comprised of polypropylene or polyeth-ylene — oil-based products that are used in trashcan liners. As a result, using microfiber that has a low percentage of actual fabric and a high percentage of polypropylene or polyethyl-ene might provide a smoother cleaning experience, but it will not be as effective at cleaning as a product that uses more microfiber. Quality microfiber is not only more effec-tive in removing dirt from the surface, it also requires substantially less chemical for Proper Laundering Due to the potential for cross-contamina-tion and the growth of potentially harmful bacteria, it is extremely important to follow proper laundering protocols when manag-ing a microfiber program. Throughout the cleaning process, microfiber attracts a variety of organic and inorganic matter. If this material is not removed from the microfiber material during the laundering process, it can provide an optimal breeding ground for bacteria growth. When laundering microfiber, the pH of the washing solution should be elevated to dis-lodge all bacteria on the microfiber surface. In addition, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recom-mends all hospital linens be laundered 26 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • January 2011
CMM – Archives Jan 2011: 26
