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Hospital Cleaning Checklist

Hospitals can be risky places for catching germs. Hospital cleaning protocols are important to establish because the high numbers of patients, visitors and employees allow bacteria and viruses no end of potential hosts. Disinfectants and sterilizers are important to use everyday in a hospital to keep patients and visitors healthy and happy.

  1. Bathroom

    • Hospital bathrooms must be maintained for a sanitary environment. Sinks, toilet bowls and urinal flush levers are breeding grounds for bacteria and harmful germs. Shower knobs, bathroom door handles and shower doors should be cleaned frequently. The hospital's public guest bathrooms, employee bathrooms and private patient bathrooms should all maintain a level of cleanliness to promote good health.

    Cafeteria

    • The hospital cafeteria should be free of germs and bacteria before food is prepared. All utensils, plates and cooking materials should be sterilized. Kitchen counters, sinks and stovetops require daily cleaning and the area is considered high traffic because of its constant use. The dining room should be cleaned every day, as well.

    Patient Rooms

    • Patient rooms require disinfectant cleaning. Only hospital-grade disinfectants and those approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may be used to clean patient rooms, according to HospitalCleaningChecklist.com. Patients often carry contagious germs that become transferred onto "high-touch" areas of the room. The tops, sides and front of the bed should be disinfected. Mattresses in patient rooms require sanitization using deep-penetrating cleansers. Other "high-touch" objects are television remotes, assistance buttons, tables, drawers and door handles. Cleaning these items keeps the patient healthier and avoids the risk of infecting visitors.

    Exam Rooms

    • Cleaning medical equipment in exam rooms is highly important. All medical equipment should be sterilized before and after use. A New York Cleaning Company, ANYCC, Inc., states that medical equipment should be cleaned for blood or body substances, dust, dirt and spillage. Examination tables, intravenous infusion pumps, drip stands and pulse meters are other exam room items that require daily cleaning.

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