Since the Covid-19 pandemic, cleanliness standards have never been higher, and even more so in the healthcare industry. Cleanliness and hygiene have always been the cornerstone in medical settings, but the last few years have taught us that their importance should never be taken for granted. From hospitals to GP surgeries, pharmaceutical manufacture facilities to medical supply warehouses, the seriousness of industrial cleaning can’t be overstated.
It’s not just about meeting regulations. Lives are at risk constantly from the spread of infections, so making sure that every patient, healthcare professional, and associated products remain safe has to start from the ground up, quite literally!
Time for questions! How exactly does professional cleaning make a difference? What’s required? And why is industrial cleaning so important within healthcare?
What is Industrial Cleaning in Healthcare Environments?
Industrial Cleaning in healthcare isn’t just regular vacuuming and dusting. It’s specialised, rigorous, and has cleaning protocols designed for environments where sterility, safety, and compliance are essential.
It can include:
- Decontamination of surfaces, tools, and equipment.
- Disinfection and sanitisation using professional or hospital grade chemicals.
- Sterile environment cleaning, such as operating theatres and cleanrooms.
- Biohazard disposal, especially in labs and clinics.
- Deep cleaning of ventilation and HVAC systems, important for infection control.
This type of cleaning needs trained operatives, specialist equipment, and an extensive knowledge of healthcare protocols, which makes it a job for professionals and not just janitorial staff.
Why Industrial Cleaning is Important in Medical Environments
Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) pose a persistent and serious risk. According to data from the NHS, thousands of patients in the UK every year, acquire infections from hospitals during their stays. Many of these can be caused by:
- Contaminated surfaces
- Poorly cleaned equipment
- Poor hand hygiene
Industrial cleaning helps reduce these risks by making sure that all patient care areas, waiting rooms, treatment rooms, and labs, are thoroughly disinfected, which reduces the spread of pathogens.
Healthcare environments are governed by regulations set by organisations like the Care Quality Commission (CQC), NHS guidelines, and in some cases international standards.
Failing to meet these standards can result in:
- Legal penalties
- The shutdown of facilities
- Damage to reputation
- Risk to human health
Professional industrial cleaning ensures that all standards are met, if not exceeded.
Patients in healthcare facilities often have compromised or supressed immune systems, so even the mildest infection that wouldn’t hurt the likes of you and me can be life-threatening for someone in hospital.
Clean environments are proven to reduce the risk of transmission of bacteria and viruses, especially dangerous ones like MRSA, C. difficile, and Norovirus.
Safe Handling of Hazardous Substances
Employees who work at medical facilities and labs handle hazardous materials every day. They can be things like:
- Biological waste
- Blood and bodily fluids
- Chemotherapy drugs
- Radioactive substances
Industrial cleaners trained in the disposal of biohazards make sure that these materials are safely removed and the environment is left safe and up to standard.
Supporting Pharmaceutical and Medical Manufacturing
In facilities that deal with the manufacturing or packaging of pharmaceuticals, cleanliness is a fundamental part of safety. A contaminated batch of products can cost millions, delay treatment availability, and could even potentially harm patients.
Industrial cleaning teams will maintain sterile production environments, control cross contamination, and help enforce good manufacturing practices. Areas of expertise for professional cleaners may include:
- Cleanrooms
- Packaging areas
- Storage and warehousing facilities
- Lab environments
Areas that Require Specialist Cleaning
Healthcare and medical environments can differ greatly, and each area requires tailored cleaning approaches.
| Hospitals and Clinics | Pharmaceutical & Medical Equipment Manufacturing | Care Homes and Assisted Living |
| Operating Theatres | Production cleanrooms | Communal living areas |
| Patient room and wards | Research and development labs | Bedrooms and bathrooms |
| Waiting rooms and reception areas | Packaging and processing zones | Mobility aids and medical equipment |
| Toilets and showers | Raw material storage | |
| Cafeterias and kitchens | Finished goods warehousing |
The Role of Professional Industrial Cleaning Services
Janitorial teams that are employed in house are essential for the daily upkeep of a healthcare facility, but industrial cleaning in these settings needs specialist skills that only trained providers can offer. Here’s an idea of what sets the professionals apart:
They are trained in:
- Cross contamination prevention
- Safe use of chemical disinfectants
- Correct use of PPE
- CQC and GMP cleaning regulations
Specialist cleaners use approved hospital grade products that are safe for use in healthcare facilities and proven effective against a range of pathogens. They can use advanced equipment and technology from HEPA-filter vacuums to electrostatic sprayers. Industrial cleaners bring equipment that delivers far superior results!
Professional cleaning contractors will work with the facility to make sure they create a custom cleaning schedule that suits:
- Operational hours
- Patient sensitivity
- Risk levels
- Regulations
Because compliance and audits are so stringent, a detailed cleaning log must be kept for transparency and accountability reasons.
Choosing the Right Contract Cleaning Company
When you hire a professional contract cleaner, they need to be the right fit considering the sensitivity of healthcare environments. Ask about their healthcare specific experience, and whether their staff are trained in infection control and biohazard safety. Do they offer flexible scheduling to keep disruption to a minimum? Are their cleaning methods to CQC standards?
At Brightr, we specialise in healthcare cleaning, all to CQC standards. Our trained teams understand the high stakes, and commit to delivering hygienic, compliant, and safe environments, every time for everyone.
