Organization of Supportive Services

Ms.Aditi Desai Lecturer M.Sc.(N.), PGDHA, M.Phil, M.B.A

Housekeeping
Introduction: Many people think that housekeeping in the hospital is

simple and that any one can do the job without any ill effects. Although
ordinary elsewhere , housekeeping is special in the hospital set up because it is scientifically planned to provide maximum

bacteriological control throughout the hospital environment

There is one other aspect to this- a public relations aspect. A clean and hygienic environment makes a tremendous psychological impact on patients and visitors. As a matter of fact, lay people who do not understand the practice of medicine often judge the hospital by its cleanliness.

origin
Concept is taken from hotel industry

Difference is customer and their basic need

Hotels need clean environment

Hospital needs control and prevention of infection

Overview

Housekeeping services, also called environment services, are of paramount importance in providing a safe, clean, pleasant, orderly and functional environment

for both patient and hospital personnel

Good housekeeping is far more important than many of us are inclined to think, and for two good reasons,

Firstly, the hospital is their temporary home for the duration of their stay Secondly, knowingly or unknowingly, they are exposed to the risk of cross-

contamination or hospital- acquired infections. Every patient has a right to be protected from hospital- acquired infections and from germs brought into the environment by other patients, visitors and the hospital staff. The hospital may have the best doctors on its staff and the most modern equipment, but if its housekeeping is of poor quality, it will overshadow the effect of all other things.

Definition
Housekeeping sercices in a hospital is entrusted with maintain a

hygienic and clean hospital environment conducive to patient care

Activities Cleanliness Maintenance of hospital environment Good Sanitation services

Objectives
To attain and maintain high standard of cleanliness

To ensure safety and security of all staff

To attain good relation with other department

Control and issue cleaning material & equipment

Functions
The department is responsible for a variety of tasks the following are some of

the common functions:

Daily cleaning: This includes sweeping and mopping floors, dusting furniture,

cleaning fixtures, walls, ceilings, windows and bathrooms, emptying trash cans and defrosting refrigerators in nursing station
Periodic cleaning: This includes washing windows, waxing floors, cleaning

carpets, dusting high ceilings and changing draperies

Trash and garbage removal: This includes collecting trash and garbage from

various points within the hospital and moving them to the incinerator or
dumpster

Discharge cleaning: This includes Cleaning the patient room after discharge or transfer of a patient and readying

it for another patient

Watering indoor plants if required Exterminating bugs and pets Preventing spread of infection and ensuring conditions for good patient care by using proven infection control procedures and techniques The workload of the housekeeping department fluctuates, depending on patient census. When the bed occupancy is high, the workload increases. When it is low, empty rooms are generally kept locked making daily cleaning unnecessary

Location
Housekeeping serves all areas and departments of the

hospital. Although it can be situated in a nonprime area, it should as far as possible be centrally located and close to the vertical transport system to facilitate easy movement of housekeeping materials and equipment

Facilities and Space requirements for housekeeping

Office for the executive housekeeper Clerical work area Office for the assistance executive housekeeper Storage room for housekeeping equipment

Storage for housekeeping supplies

Housekeeping closets on all floors throughout the hospital, equipped

with floor sinks, and space and shelves for housekeeping equipment,

carts, buckets and supplies.

Importance of the Services

Patient satisfaction becomes customer delight Improved motivation of staff

Better cooperation room patients and relatives

Good environment generates confidence Projects positive hospital images Reduces chances of hospital acquired infections Avoids unnecessary hospital stay Wastage of water, energy etc. can be reduced

Organization
The head of the housekeeping department is called the executive housekeeper who is assisted in the administration of the department by an

assistant executive housekeeper and floor supervisors. The training and

qualification executive housekeeper are very important. He/ she must have a degree in science and basic knowledge of health care sanitation including principles of bacteriology applicable for the prevention and control of infection and communicable diseases. She must also have a working knowledge of medical terminology as applied to sanitation practices, and the ability to plan, administer and develop all phases of housekeeping. Good interpersonal skills and leadership qualities are essential

Organization

In smaller hospitals, the executive housekeeper usually reports to the

director of nursing or nursing superintendent but in larger institutions, she reports to an associate administrator.

The importance of the executive housekeeper is evident by her being a member of the hospital infection control committee.

The assistant executive housekeeper and the floor supervisors must be well- trained and conversant with housekeeping procedures. They should be able to effectively manage the housekeeping employees who are a rather recalcitrant group difficult to handle. Good interpersonal relations are thus important

Housekeeping employees are largely unskilled workers employed at the lowest salary level. They should receiv3e a good orientation, inservice education and on- the- job training.

Selection and development of personnel

Good selection: Check the application as a person, his/her ability to work with

others and potential to do the required job

Good training: Give the employee the help and training he/Good supervision:

Provide guidance in performing work, correct poor work and support him/her on the job.
Recognition: Recognize and praise good performance. Make the employee feel

wanted and appreciated.

Infection control is an important aspect of housekeeping. Many hospitals have

an infection control committee of which the executive housekeeper is a member. Housekeeping staff should be aware of hospital- acquired infection and principles of infection control.

Standards of housekeeping

Each employee knows what is expected of him/her and in what

amount of time, and thereby maintain high quality service

Standard relating to frequency determine how often an

employee is required to clean an area. Time standards relating

allot the time required to complete each task.

Performance standards provide description of what is expected

of an employee in various areas of work including attendance, punctuality, cooperation etc.

Role of Hospital Administrator to ensure proper house keeping

Regular rounds of at least one or two area of the hospital daily Planned rounds after prior intimation to the concerned department

along with maintenance staff and one or two representative of house keeping staff
Surprise evening, night or early morning round at 4-5 days interval Having suggestion boxes and attending to the suggestion received in

these boxes at least once a week

Once staff gets motivated and apprehensive most of the members will
take the responsibility and put in more work.

Safety and Security

Safety and security

Free Assess service- 24 hrs. ,365 hrs.

Continuous stress
Security person is first and last person Person should be tactful, sensitive and diplomatic Maslow's Hierarchy of need theory

Maslows Hierarchy of need Theory

Self Actualization
Self esteem Safety and security Love & bilongigness Food,water,

Shelter

Objective
Protection of :
Property Staff Patients Image Information Establish a system of safeguard.

Why Safety ?
Vulnerability of the Hospital is more than a medical issue Hospitals are expected to give not only a good medical care, but

also ensure safety of the vulnerable clientele i.e patients

Hospitals have enormous investments and destruction leads to

major economic burden for the society

Non Structural facilities are usually found more expensive are

appreciably higher than the structure itself

Threats and Vulnrability

Thefts Ext/Int

Patient property losses

Employee property losses Damage of property Information losses Robbery Fire Violation Anti national Activity

Cont.
Threats to medical or non medical person

Drug theft/abused
Internal/External disaster White collar crimes Sexual assault Strikes Infant abduction

Hospital Sensitive Area

Pharmacy

Cash handling areas

Medical record office Emergency Department Computer Center Infant and pediatric unit Parking area

Functions
Analysis of threats and vulnerability

Preparation with strategic plan

Organization and monitoring of the same

Conducting training

Role of security
To provide security services to all staff, patients and

visitors and for protection of hospital property on the premises through use of well trained personnel, technology, prevention activities and timely response to request.

Why Plan for safety?

The plan can help to reduce the impact of loss of life and

property
The plan help to remain functional in the event of Disaster

or Emergency
The plan can help to increase efficiency and performance

in event of Disaster as well as post disaster

The hospital can be restored rapidly aftermath disaster

Assess Control Concept

Controlling the movement of people

Identification system for staff

I-Card, logo of hospital, serial number/ photograph/ name/job title/ optional

Card access system Locks and keys Passwords ( Computer & information security ) Security organization