Cleaning Week: March 26 – April 1, 2023
Every industry uses cleaning practices to protect South Dakotans from unwanted contact with germs. Governor Kristi Noem recognizes regular cleaning and disinfection as a health and safety investment and issued a proclamation marking the week of March 26, 2023, as Cleaning Week.
“Cleaning and disinfection are an instrumental part of infection control processes at healthcare facilities,” declared Jess Danko, MSHA, RRT, LTC-CIP, Project Firstline (PFL) program manager for the South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care (SDMFC). “Cleaning Week is a great way to recognize the important work of the environmental services in health care and across all industries for preventing infection.”
SDFMC is encouraging community and health care organizations to participate in the Cleaning Week celebration by posting cleaning photos and quotes about why cleaning matters on the SDFMC Facebook page using #SDFMC #SDPFL #ISSA. In addition, a downloadable Cleaning Week Recognition Certificate is available to celebrate the individuals who provide cleaning and disinfection services.
Combining PFL resources with proactive on-site infection control assessment and response (ICARS) visits have allowed the SDFMC team to share best practices and training with healthcare facilities throughout the state. The environmental service team is at the center of preventing infection and protecting everyone entering the facility by using strong cleaning and disinfection practices.
Cheri Fast, RN, WOCN, CIC, LTC-CIP, healthcare acquired infection program manager for SDFMC stated, “The pandemic demonstrated the essential role cleaning professionals have for keeping infection rates down. Cleaning and disinfection of surfaces, when combined with hand hygiene, reduces virus concentrations by 85.4%. Cleanliness is an everyday essential to protect every person in every home and every public space.”
