In this note, we are going to look at the daily cleaning of the ward, its importance, requirements, and procedures
Table of Contents
What is daily cleaning of the ward?
Daily cleaning of the ward is the routine cleaning of the ward every day to maintain hygiene and prevent infection.
An example of material cleaned every day in the hospital.
- floors
- patient units
- toilets
- equipments
- furniture
- bed
- cooking utensile
- compound
importance of daily cleaning of the ward
hospital ward hygen i very importance for the following reasons
- prevent the spread of infection
- prevent bad odure
- patients feel comfortable in a clean place
- It removes dust and dirts
- reduce the growth of harmful microorganisms
- promote faster recovery of patients
- Maintains Safe Environment for Patients and Staff
Requirements for daily cleaning of the ward
top shelf
- 4 buses each for soapy water, clean water,jik and clean water
- 4 duster one is dusting with clean water, one is for rinsing, one is for disinfecting, and the last one is for rinsing the jik.
- liquid soap, Omo
- vim for cleaning the sink
bottom shelf
- buckets for used water
- hand brush
- dust pan
- heavy-duty glove
- apron
- broom
- sqeezer
- scrubbing brush
Procedure for daily cleaning of the patient ward
Observe the general rules for nursing procedure this promote standard adherence
Open all the windows before cleaning the ward, it allows free air circulation, preventing infection spread
Beds and lockers must be moved away from the wall for easy access to all the ward corners, and the bed must be made before sweeping
Collect all the dirty equipment for decontamination and washing, e.g., sputum mugs, water bottles and those not in use to return to the appropriate place to prevent infection
Mop the floor from the far end of the ward to the main door to be organised
Start dumdusting all the ward furniture and equipment from top to bottom to prevent floor contamination.
Drinking water must be changed whenever needed.
Return the bed and lockers to their respective position
Sprinkle the Vim on the sink and wash it well, and rinse with clean water
Take the trolley to the sluice room, clean the used equipment and return them to their respective place
cleaning of the treatment room
clean all the surfaces, i.e., the wall, the door, the windows, the cupboard, to remove dust.
Wash the sink with Vim or any recommended disinfectant to remove any dirt.
disinfect equipments eg bed pan, sputum mug,ambubags,atery forchep, etc., with disinfectant, wash them and dry.
empty the bin and scrub them, i.e., the black and yellow bin,
Scrub the trolley with soap and water, then check if they are in good working condition; if not, take them for repair or report to the ward in charge
Principles of Ward Cleaning
Nurses should follow the cleaning principles to prevent the spread of infections from one area to another.
Clean from Clean Areas to Dirty Areas
Start with less-contaminated areas before moving to heavily contaminated sections, such as toilets and waste areas.
Clean from Top to Bottom
Dust and dirt fall downward during cleaning. Cleaning should begin with the higher surfaces before cleaning the floor.
Use Damp Dusting
Dry dusting may spread microorganisms into the air. Damp dusting helps trap dust and reduce airborne particles.
Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Put on Gloves, masks, aprons, and gumboots during cleaning procedures.
Practice Hand Hygiene
Wash before and after ward cleaning to reduce contamination.
Use Correct Disinfectants
Approved hospital disinfectants should be prepared correctly and used in accordance with guidelines.
Equipment and Supplies Used in Ward Cleaning
This equipment is needed to ensure effective cleaning and safety
Cleaning Equipment
- burkets
- mopers
- bloom
- cleaning clothes
- waste bin
- dust pan
Cleaning Solutions
- detergents, e.g., liquid soap, Omo
- disinfectants like Jik,chlorexidine.
- soap
- water.
- Chlorine solution eg 5% Sodium Hypochlorite
Protective Wear
- mask
- glove
- gumboot
- gown
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on daily ward cleaning
Why is daily ward cleaning important?
Daily ward cleaning helps prevent infections, improves patient safety, and creates a comfortable healthcare environment.
What disinfectants are commonly used in hospitals?
Hospitals commonly use chlorine solutions, detergents, alcohol-based disinfectants, and approved surface disinfectants.
How often should hospital floors be cleaned?
Hospital floors should usually be cleaned at least once daily and immediately when spills occur.
Who is responsible for ward cleaning?
Ward cleaning may be done by cleaners or housekeeping staff, but nurses supervise cleanliness and infection prevention practices.
What PPE should be worn during ward cleaning?
Gloves, masks, aprons, and protective footwear are commonly used during hospital cleaning procedures.