A growing area that offers plenty of opportunity and potential profit for building service contractors is cleaning health care facilities. Besides hospitals, there are nursing homes, doctor's offices, clinics, hospices, and dental offices that all need cleaning. With the aging baby boomer population, the number of medical facilities will continue to increase in the next few years. Most hospitals employ in-house cleaning crews, but there is a growing trend towards outsourcing cleaning services. Even if a hospital or medical facility has their own in-house cleaning crew, they will sometimes hire a cleaning service for offices, public areas or specialty cleaning (carpets, floors, windows). This presents an opportunity for janitorial cleaning companies who are willing to invest some time and effort into learning the ins and outs of cleaning medical facilities.
Begin by realizing that cleaning in the medical world is regulated and you must follow specific rules and guidelines. In many instances, you will need to document your cleaning procedures. There will be extra training required for your employees and you must provide close supervision to assure that everything is cleaned correctly. You may have to invest in more equipment, chemicals, and supplies to meet the requirements of a particular facility. In addition, laws in your state may require you, as an employer in the health care industry, to provide your employees with hazard communication training, hepatitis shots, and instructions in the proper disposal of biohazard materials.
There are many types of medical facilities, so take some time to study the market in your area before deciding to add this niche to your business. First decide which type of facility your company is best suited to clean. When you are just starting out, it's better to begin with smaller clinics and doctor offices. Another choice when just starting out is to provide specialized services such as floor care, carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, and window cleaning. Smaller facilities and specialized cleaning gives you a chance to learn the ropes and build up a reputation in this area. This is also worthwhile, because owners of janitorial cleaning services say that it's from word of mouth referrals that they gain new health care clients.
It is important to know there are different definitions of "clean" when considering the needs of medical facilities. When you traditionally think of cleaning, it implies removing all visible soil. However, when it comes to health care buildings, clean can also mean disinfecting, sterilizing, and decontaminating surfaces. If you are thinking of presenting a proposal to a medical facility, it is important to know the difference between these three terms. You are often dealing with more than just soil removal -- you are removing soil that can be highly contaminated. It is important that your employees follow documented procedures and don't take any shortcuts.
Sterilization or disinfection is common in most areas of a medical facility. Sterilization refers to cleaning with powerful chemicals that destroy all known microbial life. Disinfection is different in that it means killing specific types of pathogens and microorganisms. If you are involved with either procedure you will be using hospital grade disinfectants.
In addition, you must pay special attention to mops, cleaning cloths, and buckets. These items should be cleaned every day, and sometimes after each use. Most medical facilities are now using microfiber cleaning cloths and flat mops, as there is less chance of cross-contamination. It may also be a requirement to use a true HEPA filtered vacuum. A HEPA vacuum cleaner is necessary to protect indoor air quality and prevent microorganisms from becoming airborne.
When cleaning in a medical facility, workers must assume that every surface they clean can pose a potential risk to themselves, employees, patients, and visitors. Janitorial staff needs to be follow the regulations established by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) about exposure to blood borne pathogens.
It is essential that cleaning staff have the proper personal protective equipment (PPE), which includes gloves and eye protection. Wearing the right PPE helps to assure that your cleaning staff will not touch contaminated surfaces and protects them from splashes and spills.
One of the challenges of cleaning hospitals is that they are often open 24 hours a day, so there are unique situations you may have to work around. Large projects, such as cleaning hard floors or carpets, may involve blocking off areas until the project is completed. The same holds true for public rest rooms. Another challenge you might face in this setting is the noise caused by vacuum cleaners. You may need to buy "quiet" vacuum cleaners, which may cost more than conventional vacuum cleaners. In addition, many facilities are now requiring that you vacuum hard surface floors opposed to dust mopping because vacuuming reduces the amount of dust and other particulates that can become airborne.
There are constant changes and innovations in the equipment and supplies that are used or are required to be used in health care facilities. Some of the new products in the marketplace include:
* Vapor Cleaning -- These are compact and low moisture steam cleaning machines. They can be used on various surfaces including hard floors, carpeting, fabric partitions and toilets. These machines can sanitize surfaces without the use of harsh chemicals.
* Electrostatic Sprayer -- This is a new product that uses an air assisted electrostatic sprayer to apply disinfectants, deodorizes, cleaners, sealants, and various coatings. According to the manufacturer, it is much more efficient and effective than traditional sprayers.
* New disinfectants and hydrogen peroxide cleaners -- New non-toxic cleaners are continually being introduced.
If you want to expand into cleaning health care facilities, you must be willing to spend time learning about the best ways to keep facilities clean while using the least toxic chemicals.
Breaking into cleaning health care facilities can be difficult. Many are hesitant to use outside contractors for their cleaning services. In addition, it can be tough to get in touch with the right person at a health care facility. You need to break the barrier and find the decision maker who realizes that hiring an outside cleaning staff can reduce their overall costs.
In the health care field there are constant changes and advances. This includes the supplies and equipment that are used in cleaning facilities. If you decide to venture into this area you must be willing to do your homework and keep up with technological changes and housekeeping practices. If you have a thoroughly trained staff and offer quality services at a fair price the field will be wide open.
It is almost a certainty that the medical industry will grow significantly. This can be a boom and a profit maker for janitorial cleaning services that have trained their staff to properly clean health care facilities. Specializing in cleaning health care facilities can help a cleaning service owner stay on top of current trends and equipment in the industry. Becoming known as a medical facility cleaning specialist can open many doors and lead to higher profits.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Be Your Own Primary Health Care Provider!
Your health and wellness are yours, and yours to manage!
You are your primary health care provider!
These statements are a part of my philosophy of personal being, and I encourage my clients to think in these terms while embracing alternative medicine and holistic health. These concepts are extremely important since no one is more affected by your health than you are! This "no brainer" often gets overlooked when dealing with health care. It is a reversal of "not being able to see the forest, because the trees are in the way". In this case we can not see the solutions because the problem is in the way, and is so overwhelming.
Today we expect instant and automatic solutions to our problems. The "press this button", or "take this pill approach" to life! We have come to expect that regardless of what we "allow" to happen to ourselves, there is some wonderful pill to "cure" it.
A part of the problem is that we are no longer expected to be responsible for what we do! Several years ago a fast food chain was sued for causing people to get fat. Think about that for a moment. I consumed more calories than I burn, so I gain weight. But it is not my fault; it’s yours because you provided me with the food that I enjoyed so much! Is it just me, or does this sound a bit like not accepting the consequences of one's own action?
The bottom line is we must take more responsibility for what we do. Become more responsible for what goes into our body, and for its maintenance. Each of us must gain more understanding of what it is our body needs. We each must take more notice of what our body is doing, or not doing.
Personal healthcare is an ongoing everlasting deal. Do not wait to get sick, or to succumb to disease, before thinking about wellness. Begin now to learn about how to stay well!
Your personal physician or healthcare provider can not provide you with all of the answers. Most of the answers come from your body, learn to listen to it and understand it! Become your primary health care provider and let your physician be your health care assistant!
You are your primary health care provider!
These statements are a part of my philosophy of personal being, and I encourage my clients to think in these terms while embracing alternative medicine and holistic health. These concepts are extremely important since no one is more affected by your health than you are! This "no brainer" often gets overlooked when dealing with health care. It is a reversal of "not being able to see the forest, because the trees are in the way". In this case we can not see the solutions because the problem is in the way, and is so overwhelming.
Today we expect instant and automatic solutions to our problems. The "press this button", or "take this pill approach" to life! We have come to expect that regardless of what we "allow" to happen to ourselves, there is some wonderful pill to "cure" it.
A part of the problem is that we are no longer expected to be responsible for what we do! Several years ago a fast food chain was sued for causing people to get fat. Think about that for a moment. I consumed more calories than I burn, so I gain weight. But it is not my fault; it’s yours because you provided me with the food that I enjoyed so much! Is it just me, or does this sound a bit like not accepting the consequences of one's own action?
The bottom line is we must take more responsibility for what we do. Become more responsible for what goes into our body, and for its maintenance. Each of us must gain more understanding of what it is our body needs. We each must take more notice of what our body is doing, or not doing.
Personal healthcare is an ongoing everlasting deal. Do not wait to get sick, or to succumb to disease, before thinking about wellness. Begin now to learn about how to stay well!
Your personal physician or healthcare provider can not provide you with all of the answers. Most of the answers come from your body, learn to listen to it and understand it! Become your primary health care provider and let your physician be your health care assistant!
Advanced Health Care Directive - 10 Most Commonly Asked Questions
Today, more than ever, you need a Living Will. Discover the 10 most common questions you need answered so you too can have peace of mind.
1. What is an advanced health care directive?
Advanced health care directives are written instructions that communicate your wishes regarding care and treatment should you no longer be able to make your own health care decisions.
2. What are the components?
An Advanced Health Care Directive includes:
1. A Living Will which outlines your medical and treatment choices
2. Health Care Power of Attorney – the person you appoint to make medical and treatment decisions when you are no longer able to do so yourself.
3. How are they used?
If you are no longer able to make choices regarding your health care, these documents will communicate to your physicians what treatments you want or don’ t want such as artificial administration of food and fluids, or even the use of CPR or a breathing machine.
4. When do they become effective?
These forms are only effective when you cannot communicate your desires yourself. It may be used in situations where you are terminally ill and will die soon. In that case, life-sustaining procedures that only prolong the dying process will be withheld as you have indicated. Another time they will come into play is if you suffer from an event or illness that leaves you permanently in a coma. Because situations are varied, it becomes important to be as clear as you can, and make sure your POA understands your desires.
5. What happens if I don’t have one?
Ever state has a hierarchy that is followed that describes who is your next of kin and who will make decisions for you. For instance, if you are a minor child, it will be your parents. If you are an adult with a legal spouse, that person becomes your decision maker. It becomes complicated when family members/significant others disagree about what your desires are. This is why these forms are so important.
6. Can I change my mind?
You can change your mind about what you have written and who you choose as your decision maker at any time by destroying the old forms and making a new one. Make sure the new forms are given out to those that need them such as your decision make, family/significant others, health care provider, hospital, etc.
7. If I have a living will, does that mean I won’t get treatment?
This is a common misconception, and the answers is no. These forms do not mean NO CARE. You should always get the care and comfort that you require.
8. Where do I get these forms?
Often times, your health care provider or hospital will have them. However, it’s best if you do them before you ever see these providers. You can obtain them from your attorney, or there are several online sources where you can get state specific documents for free.
9. Do I need to see a lawyer?
No. You can fill these forms out yourself following the form directions.. That said, if you situation is sticky, it would not hurt to get professional legal advice. In most states the forms do not have to be notarized. Make sure you get the required witnesses to sign these forms. They cannot be relatives or employees of your health care provider, hospital, clinic, etc.
10. Where can I find more information?
Online, www.LawHelp.org provides free information for most states. Most state departments of health or your state legal association will be able to point you in the proper direction.
1. What is an advanced health care directive?
Advanced health care directives are written instructions that communicate your wishes regarding care and treatment should you no longer be able to make your own health care decisions.
2. What are the components?
An Advanced Health Care Directive includes:
1. A Living Will which outlines your medical and treatment choices
2. Health Care Power of Attorney – the person you appoint to make medical and treatment decisions when you are no longer able to do so yourself.
3. How are they used?
If you are no longer able to make choices regarding your health care, these documents will communicate to your physicians what treatments you want or don’ t want such as artificial administration of food and fluids, or even the use of CPR or a breathing machine.
4. When do they become effective?
These forms are only effective when you cannot communicate your desires yourself. It may be used in situations where you are terminally ill and will die soon. In that case, life-sustaining procedures that only prolong the dying process will be withheld as you have indicated. Another time they will come into play is if you suffer from an event or illness that leaves you permanently in a coma. Because situations are varied, it becomes important to be as clear as you can, and make sure your POA understands your desires.
5. What happens if I don’t have one?
Ever state has a hierarchy that is followed that describes who is your next of kin and who will make decisions for you. For instance, if you are a minor child, it will be your parents. If you are an adult with a legal spouse, that person becomes your decision maker. It becomes complicated when family members/significant others disagree about what your desires are. This is why these forms are so important.
6. Can I change my mind?
You can change your mind about what you have written and who you choose as your decision maker at any time by destroying the old forms and making a new one. Make sure the new forms are given out to those that need them such as your decision make, family/significant others, health care provider, hospital, etc.
7. If I have a living will, does that mean I won’t get treatment?
This is a common misconception, and the answers is no. These forms do not mean NO CARE. You should always get the care and comfort that you require.
8. Where do I get these forms?
Often times, your health care provider or hospital will have them. However, it’s best if you do them before you ever see these providers. You can obtain them from your attorney, or there are several online sources where you can get state specific documents for free.
9. Do I need to see a lawyer?
No. You can fill these forms out yourself following the form directions.. That said, if you situation is sticky, it would not hurt to get professional legal advice. In most states the forms do not have to be notarized. Make sure you get the required witnesses to sign these forms. They cannot be relatives or employees of your health care provider, hospital, clinic, etc.
10. Where can I find more information?
Online, www.LawHelp.org provides free information for most states. Most state departments of health or your state legal association will be able to point you in the proper direction.
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