8 ways to know if your healthcare provider is a healthy place to visit
Ever wondered about the behind-the-scenes cleanliness at your trusted healthcare provider's office? Turns out, there’s more to worry about than just flipping through some grimy old magazines while waiting your turn. Healthcare providers in Australia have some pretty strict rules and regulations when it comes to keeping things spick-and-span, and we're here to spill the tea on how to know if they're acing it or falling short.
Spotting the signs
You walk into your healthcare provider's office, hoping for answers to your health concerns, and maybe a smile from the receptionist. But did you know that not all healthcare facilities prioritise daily cleaning to shield you and your family from infections? Surprising, right?
From dentistries to medical centres, the truth is, not everyone has the daily cleaning routine down pat much less up to standard.
So, how can you tell if your healthcare provider is on top of their (mandatory) cleaning game? Here are 8 telltale signs they’re missing the mark:
1. They’re using outdated cleaning techniques:
If your healthcare provider is still using outdated domestic equipment and chemicals, it's time to raise an eyebrow. Professional-grade cleanliness calls for professional-grade tools so if you spot an old mop in a bucket of dirty water leaning up in the corner of the clinic or a bottle of supermarket grade cleaner plonked on top of a cupboard, they’re probably not up to speed on the most effective and efficient medical cleaning products and procedures.
2. They have slow responses:
A provider serious about cleanliness listens and acts promptly. Slow or lacklustre responses to your concerns, comments, or complaints about the cleanliness of the practice might indicate a lack of attention to detail in their cleaning service.
3. They have sinks and drains you can’t unsee:
Shiny reception desk? Good. Stained sinks and brown drains filled with gunk in the restroom? Not so much. Your healthcare provider's sinks should sparkle and shine with cleanliness, not remind you of yesterday's coffee grinds.
4. They have certain odours that stay with you for the whole day:
Funky odours lurking in toilets, toilet bowls, and behind are a big red flag. A well-maintained healthcare facility should sparkle top to bottom, front door to toilet bowl and smell as fresh as an ocean breeze (if the ocean was 20% disinfectant).
5. They have a dust bunny problem of plague proportions:
Balls of dust and old cobwebs hiding behind bins and sanitary bins in toilets, in corners of the waiting room and under desks is a big no no. Cleanliness extends to every nook and cranny, not just the spots in plain sight. That goes for scuffed skirting boards, flies on window sills and various bits of flotsam and jetsam on shelving.
6. They forget to move their furniture:
If the cleaners don’t bother rearranging furniture once they're done - or worse, don’t clean UNDER furniture at all, it's a clear sign of a rushed or careless job. Your healthcare provider's space should look as inviting as it feels and smells healthy.
7. They’re a little bumbly with their bins:
Office bins half emptied and haphazardly replaced? That's a classic indicator of a hurried cleanup. Properly replacing bins under or aside desks is part of the cleaning finesse you should expect and keep the workplace safe and trip free.
8. They have streaky windows and marks on the walls:
These are a big no-no. Not only are they unsightly but taking proper care of walls and windows and attending to the daily wear and tear of a public space will help prevent deterioration over time. Your healthcare provider's environment should be squeaky clean, leaving no room for unsightly marks.
Professional cleaning involves more than just a quick wipe-down. It's paying proper attention to the details and allowing enough time to do the job thoroughly.
When it comes to hiring a cleaning provider, bargaining on price might lead to a shorter cleaning time, ultimately compromising on the quality.
The scope of work should be a serious discussion before bringing in a service provider. This could mean a light mid-week service focusing on bins, toilets, and the kitchen, followed by a more thorough cleaning during the weekend.
The scope can include simple yet vital tasks like cleaning commonly used surfaces – handrails, handles, reception areas, and even those pens handed over at the front desk. Because when it comes to healthcare, a clean and welcoming environment is as essential as the care provided to patients.
Interested in our help?
To ensure your healthcare practice is always up to Australian standards and provides patients, staff and practitioners alike with a squeaky clean and healthy environment, our Innova Services’ commercial cleaners can help. Our services are based in the Southeast corner of Queensland, spanning Coolangatta, Bundaberg, Toowoomba and all of greater Brisbane.
