Preventing Infection Through Housekeeping Measures

Course overview

This program is focused on expectations of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for how a nursing home can provide a safe, clean, comfortable, orderly, and sanitary environment for residents. It addresses what must be included in an infection prevention and control program, strategies for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in resident-care areas, and how to use disinfectants effectively and safely. It also explains general cleaning guidelines, as well as how to clean special care areas; cleaning strategies for spills of blood and body substances; how to minimize contamination of cleaning solutions and tools; and how to use one-step and multi-step cleaning products. Guidance for COVID-19 cleaning and disinfecting is included. There is an emphasis on the dangers of mixing cleaning materials and on important safety guidelines for housekeeping staff.