Janitorial professionals are healthcare workers. They prevent the spread of diseases by properly cleaning facilities and breaking the transmission routes of pathogenic microorganisms (germs) that cause illnesses such as influenza.
Influenza, commonly known as “the flu,” is an infectious disease caused by an influenza virus. The most common symptoms include high fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pain, headache, coughing, sneezing, and fatigue. These symptoms range from mild to severe and can significantly hinder the productivity of your employees, which in turn slows down business operations.While hand hygiene is important to minimize the transfer of germs, cleaning and disinfecting environmental surfaces as appropriate is fundamental in reducing the number of healthcare-associated infections.
Routes of Transmission
Pathogens spread through contact with people or objects and via airborne transmission. Everyday objects in the workplace that spread germs are doorknobs, shared phones, and faucet handles. These transmission vehicles are called Fomites, touchpoints that can transmit pathogenic microorganisms from one person to another. Properly cleaning these Fomites removes the pathogenic microorganisms, thus breaking the chain of infection.
Bacterial Growth and the Flu
Germs are harmful bacteria and grow most rapidly in dark, warm, moist environments with abundant food sources. Restroom surfaces can be a chief breeding ground for bacteria, which can reproduce in as little as fifteen minutes. The following chart shows the growth of just one bacterium over a twenty-four-hour period with a fifteen-minute reproduction rate.
Disinfecting Best Practices
The best way to prevent the growth of bacteria is to keep surfaces clean and dry. This is what cleaning workers do each day, and they spray, wipe, mop or scrub to leave behind a clean, dry surface that inhibits the growth of disease-carrying pathogens.
For best results, use an EPA-registered disinfectant and clean microfiber cloth. Ensure that the disinfectant is mixed correctly and that the cloth is used to add friction to the cleaning process for maximum results. Disinfectant/detergent formulations registered by EPA are used for environmental surface cleaning. Still, the actual physical removal of microorganisms and soil by wiping or scrubbing is as essential, if not more so than any antimicrobial effect of the cleaning agent used. The physical action of scrubbing with detergents and surfactants and rinsing with water removes large numbers of microorganisms from surfaces.
Ensure Your Office Is Prepared for Flu Season
Partner with a janitorial services company that is appropriately trained to do their part in protecting your employees’ health. Healthy employees lead to higher productivity in the workplace, which has a direct, positive effect on your bottom line. Knowing your building and employees are clean and safe gives you the peace of mind to concentrate on running your business. If you’re looking for a cleaning services provider, get your instant quote from Pegasus below.
