U.S. patent application number 11/457627 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-18 for patient room cleaning system and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to STERLING SERVICES GROUP, L.C.. Invention is credited to Raymond J. Taylor.
Application Number | 20070016466 11/457627 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37662775 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070016466 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Taylor; Raymond J. |
January 18, 2007 |
PATIENT ROOM CLEANING SYSTEM AND METHOD
Abstract
Various embodiments of the present invention provide a method
and system for cleaning a patient area in a medical facility. The
method generally includes creating a team of members with each
member assigned specific tasks that may include vacuuming, damp
cleaning, and damp mopping of the patient area.
Inventors: |
Taylor; Raymond J.; (South
Hamilton, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOVEY WILLIAMS LLP
2405 GRAND BLVD., SUITE 400
KANSAS CITY
MO
64108
US
|
Assignee: |
STERLING SERVICES GROUP,
L.C.
1383 East 2100 Road P.O. Box 612
Eudora
KS
|
Family ID: |
37662775 |
Appl. No.: |
11/457627 |
Filed: |
July 14, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60699961 |
Jul 15, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/7.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/0018 20130101;
A47L 5/36 20130101; A47L 9/009 20130101; A47L 13/51 20130101; A61L
2/18 20130101; G06Q 10/06311 20130101; B08B 13/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/009 |
International
Class: |
G06F 9/46 20060101
G06F009/46 |
Claims
1. A method of cleaning a patient area including a patient room and
a floor area, comprising the steps of: a.) creating a team
including a plurality of team members; b.) assigning a first and a
second team member to remove trash from the patient area; c.)
assigning the first and second team members to scan the floor area
for large debris and remove the debris; d.) assigning a third team
member to vacuum the floor area; e.) assigning the first team
member to damp clean the patient area; and f.) assigning the second
team member to mop the floor area.
2. The method of claim 1, further including the steps of: g.) after
a period of time following step f, assigning the first and the
third team members to remove trash from the patient area and remove
debris from the floor area; h.) after a period of time following
step f, assigning the second team member to vacuum the floor area;
l.) after a period of time following step h, assigning the third
team member to damp clean the patient area; and j.) after a period
of time following step h, assigning the first team member to mop
the floor areas.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the period of time is defined to
be approximately thirty minutes.
4. The method of claim 2, further including the steps of: k.) after
a period of time following step j, assigning the second and the
third team members to remove trash from the patient area and remove
debris from the floor area; l.) after a period of time following
step j, assigning the first team member to vacuum the floor area;
m.) after a period of time following step l, assigning the second
team member to damp clean the patient area; and n.) after a period
of time following step l, assigning the third team member to mop
the floor area.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein step f includes assigning the
second team member to mop the floor area with a microfiber mop.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein step d includes assigning the
third team member to vacuum the floor area with a vacuum cart.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein step b includes assigning the
first and second team members to remove trash utilizing a mobile
trash apparatus.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein step e includes assigning the
first team member to damp clean the patient area utilizing a supply
cart.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the supply cart includes a
plurality single-use cloths soaked in a disinfectant solution.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the supply cart includes a
plurality of single-use microfiber mops soaked in disinfectant
solution.
11. A method of cleaning a patient area comprising a patient room,
bathroom, and floor area, the method comprising the steps of: a.)
creating a three-member team, comprising first, second, and third
team members; b.) assigning first and second team members to remove
trash from the patient area; c.) assigning first and second team
members to scan the floor area for large debris and remove the
debris; d.) assigning a third team member to vacuum the floor area;
e.) assigning the first team member to damp clean the patient area;
and f.) assigning the second team member to damp clean the floor
area with a microfiber mop.
12. The method of claim 11, further including the steps of: g.)
after a period of thirty minutes following step f, assigning the
first and the third team members to remove trash from the patient
area and remove debris from the floor area; h.) after a period of
thirty minutes following step f, assigning the second team member
to vacuum the floor area; l.) after a period of thirty minutes
following step h, assigning the third team member to damp clean the
patient area; and j.) after a period of thirty minutes following
step h, assigning the first team member to mop the floor area with
a microfiber mop.
13. The method of claim 12, further including the steps of: k.)
after a period of thirty minutes following step j, assigning the
second and the third team members to remove trash from the patient
area and remove debris from the floor area; l.) after a period of
thirty minutes following step j, assigning the first team member to
vacuum the floor area; m.) after a period of thirty minutes
following step l, assigning the second team member to damp clean
the patient area; and n.) after a period of thirty minutes
following step l, assigning the third team member to mop the floor
area with a microfiber mop.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein step d includes assigning the
third member to vacuum the floor area with a vacuum cart.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein step b includes assigning the
first and second team members to remove trash utilizing a mobile
trash apparatus.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein step e includes assigning the
first team member to damp clean the patient area utilizing a supply
cart.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the supply cart includes a
plurality single-use cloths soaked in a disinfectant solution.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the supply cart includes a
plurality of single-use microfiber mops soaked in disinfectant
solution.
19. A method of cleaning a patient area comprising a patient room,
bathroom, and floor area, the method comprising the steps of: a.)
creating a three-member team, comprising first, second, and third
team members; b.) assigning first and second team members to remove
trash from a patient area and deposit the trash in a mobile trash
apparatus; c.) assigning first and second team members to scan the
floor area for large debris and remove the debris; d.) assigning a
third team member to vacuum the floor area using a vacuum cart
including a vacuum apparatus; e.) assigning the first team member
to damp clean the patient area utilizing single-use cloths that are
soaked in a disinfectant solution and discarded after one use; f.)
assigning the second team member to damp clean the floor area with
a microfiber mop that is soaked in a disinfectant solution and
discarded after one use; g.) after a period of at least
approximately thirty minutes following step f, assigning the first
and the third team members to remove trash from the patient area
and remove debris from the floor area and deposit the trash and
debris in the mobile trash apparatus; h.) after a period of at
least approximately thirty minutes following step f, assigning the
second team member to vacuum the floor area using the vacuum cart;
l.) after a period of at least approximately thirty minutes
following step h, assigning the third team member to damp clean the
patient area utilizing single-use cloths that are soaked in a
disinfectant solution and discarded after one use; j.) after a
period of at least approximately thirty minutes following step h,
assigning the first team member to mop the floor area with a
microfiber mop that is soaked in a disinfectant solution and
discarded after one use; k.) after a period of at least
approximately thirty minutes following step j, assigning the second
and the third team members to remove trash from the patient area
and remove debris from the floor area and deposit the trash and
debris in the mobile trash apparatus; l.) after a period of at
least approximately thirty minutes following step j, assigning the
first team member to vacuum the floor area using the vacuum cart;
m.) after a period of at least approximately thirty minutes
following step l, assigning the second team member to damp clean
the patient area utilizing single-use cloths that are soaked in a
disinfectant solution and discarded after one use; and n.) after a
period of at least approximately thirty minutes following step l,
assigning the third team member to mop the floor area with a
microfiber mop that is soaked in a disinfectant solution and
discarded after one use.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to cleaning methods. More
particularly, the invention relates to a cleaning method that
assigns cleaning team members to different tasks to increase
efficiency and productivity.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Traditional methods for cleaning a patient's area in a
medical facility include dry mopping and dusting. Such methods can
disperse dust particulates throughout the patient's environment,
decreasing air quality. The dust particulates also resettle and
contaminate surfaces thought to be clean. Airborne dust could also
be breathed by the patient, leading to infections and lowering
health quality. Traditional cleaning methods have also included
mopping floors and using a bucket and string-mop that is moved from
room to room without changing the mop or refreshing the cleaning
solution. This approach can lead to cross contamination of bacteria
from one room to the next.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention solves the above-described problems
and provides a distinct advance in the art cleaning methods. More
particularly, the invention provides a cleaning method that assigns
cleaning team members to different tasks to increase efficiency and
productivity. In addition, cleanliness is improved and
contamination is reduced by the single-use techniques of the
invention.
[0006] The present invention offers improvements over traditional
cleaning practices in that a team of members is employed with
specific tasks to focus on areas in which patients are residing.
Each member is assigned a specific job to perform in a given area
and the members rotate job assignments on a regular schedule. As
opposed to traditional cleaning techniques that allow dust
particulates to become airborne, some embodiments of the present
invention utilize damp cleaning with single-use disinfected cloths
to clean a patient area, leading to an improvement in air quality
and a reduction in illnesses associated with airborne pollutants
and infectious matter. Some embodiments of the present invention
also use microfiber, disinfected mops that are discarded after one
use to clean all floor areas, resulting in a reduction of cross
contamination.
[0007] For example, in one embodiment, the present invention
provides a method of cleaning a patient area having a floor area.
The method generally includes creating a team including a plurality
of team members. A first and a second team member are assigned to
remove trash from the patient area. The first and second team
members are assigned to scan the floor area for large debris and
remove the debris. A third team member is assigned to vacuum the
floor area. The first team member is assigned to damp clean the
patient area. The second team member is assigned to mop the floor
area.
[0008] In another embodiment, the method generally includes
creating a three-member team, comprising first, second, and third
team members. The first and second team members are assigned to
remove trash from a patient area. The first and second team members
are assigned to scan a floor area for large debris and remove the
debris. The third team member is assigned to vacuum the floor area.
The first team member is assigned to damp clean the patient area.
The second team member is assigned to damp clean the floor area
with a microfiber mop.
[0009] In another embodiment, the method includes creating a
three-member team, comprising first, second, and third team
members. The first and second team members are assigned to remove
trash from a patient area and deposit the trash in a mobile trash
apparatus. The first and second team members are assigned to scan a
floor area for large debris and remove the debris. The third team
member is assigned to vacuum the floor area using a vacuum cart
with a HEPA-filtered vacuum. The first team member is assigned to
damp clean the patient area utilizing single-use cloths that are
soaked in a disinfectant solution and discarded after one use. The
second team member is assigned to damp clean the floor area with a
microfiber mop that is soaked in a disinfectant solution and
discarded after one use. After a period of approximately thirty
minutes, the various assigned tasks are rotated.
[0010] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will
be apparent from the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0011] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described
in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures,
wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a vacuum cart;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a vacuum cart;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cleaning team cleaning a
patient area utilizing a vacuum cart, a supply cart, and a mobile
trash apparatus; and
[0015] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing some of the steps that may be
performed by various embodiments of the present invention.
[0016] The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to
the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The
drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being
placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] The following detailed description of the invention
references the accompanying drawings that illustrate specific
embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The
embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in
sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice
the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be
made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The
following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a
limiting sense. The scope of the present invention is defined only
by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to
which such claims are entitled.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the present invention is
preferably implemented utilizing equipment such as a vacuum cart 10
including a vacuum cleaning apparatus, a supply cart 12, buckets 14
positioned on or within the cart 12, a plurality of single-use
cloths 16, a plurality of single-use mops 18, and a mobile trash
apparatus 20. As discussed in more detail below, the equipment
including the vacuum cart 10, supply cart 12, and the mobile trash
apparatus 20 is utilized by a plurality of team members to clean a
patient area 40 that may include a patient room 30, bathroom, and
floor area 32. However, the various embodiments of the present
invention may be utilized to clean any area.
[0019] The vacuum cart 10 is preferably a Cartmaster Total
Environment Cleaning System manufactured by M.D. Manufacturing,
Inc. of Bakersfield, Calif. However, the cart 10 may comprise any
mobile vacuum elements, preferably with HEPA filtering. For
example, in some embodiments the vacuum cart 10 may comprise a
conventional wheeled cart having a HEPA filtered vacuum positioned
thereon.
[0020] The supply cart 12 is preferably a Rubbermaid 6191 Full-Size
Housekeeping Cart manufactured by Newell Rubbermaid Inc. in
Atlanta, Ga., but may include any cart capable of holding
housekeeping cleaning supplies. The cart also preferably includes
buckets 14 that contain a cleaning solution in which to soak
single-use cloths 16 and microfiber mops 18. The buckets 14 may be
integrally formed within the cart 12 or be discrete elements that
are removably transported on or within the cart 12. The cleaning
solution could include a disinfectant such as bleach or a similar
anti-bacterial fluid, but is preferably an EPA-registered detergent
or disinfectant.
[0021] The single-use cloths 16 are preferably microfiber cleaning
cloths available from Parish Maintenance Supply in Syracuse, N.Y.,
but may include any microfiber or lint-free wipes that have
absorbency and strength when wet to allow for intense cleaning. The
microfiber cloths are preferably launderable and reusable and can
be hand or machine washed and dried at low temperature between 500
and 1000 times.
[0022] The single-use mops 18 are preferably 3M single-use
microfiber mops, but may include any microfiber-type mops that are
capable of being treated with a disinfectant. Microfiber mops not
only are cheaper to utilize than traditional string mops because
they require less water and cleaning or disinfecting solution, but
they also offer better cleaning because they can get into crevices
and along baseboards where traditional mops have trouble.
Microfiber mops also offer the option of being launderable and
reusable. One microfiber mop head can be used to mop the floor of
one patient area and then discarded into a special bag or
compartment in the supply cart 12. Another microfiber mop head can
be installed on the mop handle to mop the next patient area. At the
end of the shift, all the used mop heads can be washed in laundry
detergent or other cleaning solutions and dried at low temperature
for reusage during the next shift. The mop heads can be used
repeatedly in this fashion between 100 and 500 times.
[0023] The mobile trash apparatus 20 is preferably a 32-gallon
round container, Model #2632WH, mounted or coupled with a dolly,
Model #2640, both manufactured by Newell Rubbermaid Inc. in
Atlanta, Ga., but may include any container capable of holding
trash that is mobile or can be adapted to a dolly or the like.
[0024] The mobile cleaning equipment has been described above as
preferably including three discrete elements--the vacuum cart 10,
the supply cart 12, and the mobile trash apparatus 20. However, in
some embodiments, the carts 10, 12 and apparatus 20 may be combined
into any combination of carts, including a single cart including
vacuum, cleaning, and trash elements. For example, as shown in FIG.
2, the vacuum cart 10 may include the buckets 14 and other cleaning
supplies such that use of the supply cart 12 is not required. In
another alternative embodiment, the supply cart 12 may be equipped
with both a vacuum apparatus and a trash receptacle.
[0025] Steps 100-106 shown in FIG. 4 generally illustrate a method
operable to be performed by various embodiments of the present
invention. Steps 100-106 generally include: creating a plurality of
team members, referenced at step 100; assigning team member duties,
referenced at step 102; cleaning according to the assigned duties,
referenced at step 104; and reassigning team member duties,
referenced at step 106.
[0026] In step 100, a cleaning team is created with a plurality of
members. The number of team members can vary from two to four,
however, three team members is the preferred embodiment. Two team
members will require more time to complete the tasks and four team
members can result in possible underutilization of the staff. Three
team members are preferable because the tasks to be assigned can
easily be divided into threes, allowing many of the tasks to be
performed simultaneously. As a result, for a three-member team, the
tasks are readily rotated and can be completed in an efficient and
effective manner. As shown in FIG. 3, the various team members
preferably include a first team member P1, a second team member P2,
and a third team member P3.
[0027] In step 102, the individual team members are assigned
specific tasks to perform. The first and second team members P1, P2
are assigned the task of moving through the patient area 40 to
remove trash. Specifically, the first and second team members P1,
P2 also are assigned the task of scanning the floor areas 32 for
large debris that may block or interfere with the vacuum cart 10.
The first and second team members P1, P2 preferably place removed
trash and debris in the mobile trash apparatus 20 for easy
transport and disposal. The third team member P3 is assigned the
task of vacuuming the floor area utilizing the vacuum cart 10 after
the debris are removed form the floor area 32. The first team
member P1 is assigned the task of damp cleaning the patient area 40
with single-use cloths 16, which are preferably discarded after
cleaning a single patient area into a separate bag, located in the
supply cart 12, and laundered later. The second team member P2 is
assigned to mop the floor area 32 with a microfiber mop 18, which
is preferably discarded after mopping the floor area of a single
patient area into a separate bag, within or coupled with the supply
cart 12, and laundered later.
[0028] While the preferable assignments for step 102 are discussed
above, other combinations and variations are possible. For example,
first and third team members may be assigned the task of removing
debris from the floor area, while the second team member is
assigned to vacuum the floor. And the first team member may be
assigned to mop the floor area, while the third team member is
assigned to damp clean the patient area. Other assignment
combinations are also possible.
[0029] In step 104, the patient area 40 is cleaned according to the
tasks assigned in step 102. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the
first team member P1 cleans the patient's room 30 of the patient
area 40 with one or more cloths 16 obtained from the supply cart
12. The second team member P2 mops the floor areas 32 with the
damp, microfiber mop 18. The third team member P3 vacuums the floor
area 32 with the vacuum cart 10. Any debris encountered can be
disposed of in the mobile trash apparatus 20. In some embodiments,
the second team member P2 may mop the floor area 32 utilizing any
equipment and the first team member P1 may damp clean the patient
area 40 with any equipment.
[0030] As should be appreciated, the team members P1, P2, P3 may
clean the various areas without actually cleaning or accessing
every portion of the areas. Thus, as utilized herein, "clean" means
to clean at least a portion of an area. For instance, step 104 may
be completed by vacuuming a portion of the floor area 32 with the
vacuum cart 10, by picking up only a portion of encountered debris,
by cleaning only a portion of areas and surfaces with the cloths 16
and mops 18, etc.
[0031] Step 104 is preferably repeated for each patient area. For
instance, in hospital settings, a plurality of patient areas may
exist each corresponding to a hospital room or other area. In such
embodiments, each patient area is cleaned as discussed above.
Cleaning a plurality of patient areas according to the various
embodiments of the present invention increases cleanliness and
reduces contamination. Specifically, as the cloths 16 and mops 18
are single-use, each cloth or mop is only utilized to clean a
single patient area until it is laundered or otherwise sterilized.
Such a configuration reduces contamination and increases
cleanliness by preventing bacteria and other undesirable substances
from being spread between patient areas. Further, the embodiments
of the present invention enable many areas to be efficiently and
effectively cleaned due to the team member assignments and use of
the carts 10, 12 and trash apparatus 20.
[0032] In step 106, the team members rotate tasks after a given
period of time in order to avoid boredom and fatigue. The
preferable period of time is approximately thirty minutes. For
instance, after about thirty minutes, the third team member P3 will
perform the first team member's P1 tasks, the first team member P1
will perform the second team member's P2 tasks, and the second team
member P2 will perform the third team member's P3 tasks. The
rotation continues on the given schedule as long as the team is
active. As should be appreciated, the tasks may be rotated after
any fixed or random interval to increase team member efficiency and
productivity. For instance, the tasks may be rotated after cleaning
five or ten patient areas, etc.
[0033] It is known that medical facility patient discharge volume
increases about 11:00 am. All patient areas in which the patient
will continue to stay should be cleaned by 11:30 am. At this time,
the team members finish cleaning the patient area they currently
working on. Once finished, they move to a patient area where the
patient has recently been discharged and they clean the patient
area, performing the steps discussed above. The team members
continue cleaning the areas where patients have been discharged
until all recently-discharged patient areas have been cleaned.
There is no disruption to the workflow, but merely a priority given
to those areas where patients have recently been discharged. As a
result, beds are available sooner for the admission of a new
patient.
[0034] Although the invention has been described with reference to
the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached drawing
figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and
substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the
invention as recited in the claims.
* * * * *