Visibility of Cleaning Staff Sways Public Opinion of Hospital Hygiene
Nursing Times is reporting on new research coming out of the UK showing that the public considers staff hygiene and the level of visibility of environmental services staff when making decisions about whether a healthcare facility appears to be sanitary. Staff personal hygiene, outsourced cleaning contracts and not knowing where to complain were factors the public considers when asked to rate hospital cleanliness, this research has found.
The West Midlands strategic health authority in the UK commissioned the survey on patient perception of hospital hygiene, and the SHAs program specialist for healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs), Vanessa Whatley, presented the findings at the Infection Control 2010 conference.
Nursing Times reports that Whatley told conference attendees that patients assumptions about infection rates were significantly influenced by the visibility of cleaning staff.
To read further from Nursing Times, CLICK HERE.
Reference: Clover B. Visibility of hospital cleaners affects perceptions of hygiene. Nursing Times. Oct. 5, 2010
Vet IP Roundtable 2: Infection Control and Biosecurity Challenges in Veterinary Care
March 31st 2025Veterinary IPs highlight critical gaps in cleaning protocols, training, and biosecurity, stressing the urgent need for standardized, animal-specific infection prevention practices across diverse care settings.
Invisible, Indispensable: The Vital Role of AHRQ in Infection Prevention
March 25th 2025With health care systems under strain and infection preventionists being laid off nationwide, a little-known federal agency stands as a last line of defense against preventable patient harm. Yet the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is now facing devastating cuts—threatening decades of progress in patient safety.
From Shortages to Security: How Reusable Health Care Textiles Can Transform Infection Prevention
March 7th 2025Reusable health care textiles enhance infection prevention, reduce waste, and strengthen supply chains. Hygienically clean textiles offer a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to disposable PPE, ensuring patient safety and environmental responsibility.
