In some ways, the work of the Housekeeping and Environmental Services‘ (EVS) staff members during the COVID-19 pandemic is no different than any other time. But in many ways, it’s not the same.
These dedicated teams of housekeeping staff clean and disinfect patient care rooms to ensure they are germ free. Hospital offices are kept clean. All floors continue to shine, windows continue to sparkle and all high touch surfaces are sanitized.
These teams also work the frontlines, donning appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to stay safe as they ensure all areas of the hospital are cleansed and remain as germ free as possible. They also find it necessary to clean certain areas of the hospitals several times each day.
“A lot more responsibility is on the staff in different ways,” said Brad Munn, manager of the Environmental Services at WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital.
This includes his team of at least 25 staff members spending more time to ensure they have the right tools and PPE to complete their jobs as safely and as thoroughly as possible, often taking more time to properly get the job done.
The role of the EVS team members
Housekeeping staff members remove trash from the buildings and clean patient rooms daily so they are as germ free as possible for patients. After patients are discharged, they clean, disinfect and prepare the rooms for future patients.
“We disinfect high touch surfaces throughout the facility to break the chain of infection, especially during the pandemic,” Munn said.
In addition, team members also clean restrooms, hallways, lounges, office areas, and all other patient service areas. All floors are kept clean and shiny. Team members deliver clean laundry to the hospital departments and retrieve soiled laundry for processing.
During the pandemic, the processes for how to appropriately clean a room with a COVID-19 positive or potential positive patient have changed and require staff to wear appropriate safety gear.
“Depending on what procedures were done in the room would determine which PPE we are required to wear,” said Scott Snyder, manager of Food and Nutrition Services and Environmental Services at WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital.
With safety at the forefront, COVID-19 cleaning has specific requirements and often entails cleaning some areas more often during a 24-hour period, said Diane Frey, manager of EVS at WellSpan York Hospital. As a result, Frey’s supervisory team jumped in to educate everyone on these new requirements.
Communication is essential
During this unprecedented time, communication has been key to ensure staff members stay informed of all changes that may impact their housekeeping roles and what safety gear is necessary for them to properly do their jobs.
“In the beginning of the pandemic there was a lot of uncertainty,” Munn said, and added that there were a lot of changes occurring to ensure staff members were kept safe.
At WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital, Snyder uses a huddle board to communicate changes with his team of 60 EVS employees.
“Some of the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) seemed to change hourly,” Snyder said, and added that this caused confusion for him and his staff. As a result, he created a designated area that staff may view all of the new changes that need to be implemented.
Working as one during these challenging times
During the pandemic, housekeeping staff members are busier than ever.
“We are normally busy on a non-COVID-19 day, but during this challenging time, going the extra mile is needed,” said Peggy Sensenig, manager, Housekeeping at WellSpan Surgery and Rehabilitation Hospital. “We work harder to make sure we are hitting every requirement and then some.”
Sensenig added that her team of 16 housekeepers often lean on one another and strive to be as positive as much as possible.
At WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital, following the standard work is key to the safety, quality and productivity for the busy staff of 25, said Dan Laird, manager of Housekeeping.
His team members are more aware of the potential hazards they face daily. By following the guidelines that are communicated from the health system, they can ensure that they are cleaning and disinfecting areas properly, he added.
“I can’t speak enough about having solid processes in place and the benefits of having a great team of individuals to work with,” Laird said. “Our folks work hard to accomplish the goals and maintain the values WellSpan has in place.”
Laird’s housekeeping staff has taken their new work standards and challenges in stride.
Although the new standard work ensures proper cleaning of COVID-19 rooms, Carol Scott, lead housekeeper, said the pandemic hasn’t changed the way in which she views her role.
“Housekeeping is infection control regardless if it’s before the pandemic or now,” she said.
Barbara Milligan said thoroughness is the key. “You have to make sure we do everything correctly so you and the next patient in that room don’t get COVID-19,” she said.
At WellSpan York Hospital, Frey said she is proud of her dedicated and flexible staff, especially during the crisis. With the EVS department of 182 members, work attendance during this pandemic has been phenomenal.
In addition, her staff includes several redeployed team members from other areas of the health system who have since learned the work and are just as dedicated to their new roles.
“They are additional support for us and help boost the ability to clean more often,” Frey said.
Dan Farner, director of Safety and Environment of Care at WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital, is grateful to all WellSpan EVS staff members for their work and credits them for helping to lessen the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The work they do each day is very important to the safety and health of our patients, visitors and staff,” Farner said.