CLEANING A PATIENT’S UNIT/ ENVIRONMENT

OBJECTIVES:
1. To learn how to clean a patient’s unit or environment
2. To understand the importance of cleanliness in preventing the spread of diseases
3. To provide a clean, safe and comfortable environment

DUSTING
- It is the removal of daily accumulation of dust from all edges and surfaces such as tables,
walls & etc.

2 Categories of Dusting:
1. Horizontal dusting- it is used on horizontal surfaces and should be done daily because
dust deposit on horizontal surfaces
2. Vertical dusting- it is done as needed depending on the rate of dust accumulation

2 Methods of Dusting:
1. Dry dusting- for electric bulbs and fixtures, varnished furniture and other articles
damaged by moisture.
2. Damped dusting- used for areas where dust id avoided to spread or fall out in the unit.
- For articles not injuired by moisture
- For easy removal of dirt & stains

Note: caution must be used for electrical equipments

Materials:
• Dusting cloth
• Basin w/ water
• Utility brush
● Soap (powder)
 PROCEDURE RATIONALE 1 2 3 4 5
1.Fold the dust cloth
2.Dust high surfaces first then
downwards
3.Start at the corner and slide
dust cloth straight across and
off the opposite side.
4.Reverse direction and
repeat until the entire surface
is dusted.
5.When dusting chairs, pull it
out of the desk and dust from
the top to the bottom.
6.Where there is an object on
the table or on any other
surface, lift the object and
hold over its original position.
Replace it well.
7.Remove soil from the dust
cloth occasionally.
 HANDWASHING

PURPOSE:
1. To prevent and or minimize the spread of infection.
2. To remove transient microorganisms that might be transmitted to clients, visitors, or
health care personnel.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION:
1. Wash hands before and after eating, after using the bedpan or toilet, after the hands
have come in contact with any body substances such as sputum or drainage from a
wound and after any direct contact.
2. For routine client care, the CDC recommends a vigorous handwashing under a stream of
water for at least 10-15 seconds using soap bar.
3. The CDC recommends antimicrobial handwashing agents with any chemical germicides
listed with the Environmental Protection Agency:
a. When there are known multiple resistant bacteria.
b. Before invasive procedure
c. In special care units, such as nurseries & ICU’s

Materials:
● Soap
● Warm running water
● Towels
● Tissue paper for hand operated faucet

PROCEDURE RATIONALE 1 2 3 4 5
1.Make sure that soap, towels, orange stick or
nail file, tissue paper and wastebasket are
available. Collect missing items.
2.Remove jewelry. Push your watch up 4 to 5
inches. Also push up uniform sleeves.
3.Stand away from the sink so your clothes do
not touch the sink. The soap and faucet must
be easy to reach.
4.Turn on the faucet and adjust the water until
it feels warm and comfortable.
5.Wet your wrists and hands thoroughly under
running water. Apply soap to the hands.
Keep your hands lower than your elbows
during the procedure. Return bar to its soap
dish.
6.Rub your palms together and interlace your
 fingers to work up a good lather. This step
should last at least 10 seconds.
7.Wash each hand and wrist thoroughly, and
clean well between the fingers. Clean well
under the fingernails by rubbing the tips of
your fingers against your palms.
8.Continue washing for 1 to 2 minutes, if
needed.
9.Use a nail file or orange stick to clean under
the fingernails. This step is necessary for the
first handwashing of the day and if your
hands are highly soiled.
10.Rinse your wrists and hands well. Water
should flow from the arms to the hands.
11.Dry your wrists and hands with towel. Pat
dry.
12.Turn off the faucet with a clean tissue
paper to avoid contaminating your hand.
13.Toss tissue paper into the wastebasket.

Four Common Types of Faucet Control:

1. Hand- operated handles
2. Knee levers
3. Foot pedals
4. Elbow
 CARE AND ARRANGEMENT OF FLOWERS
Purpose:
1. To keep flower in their freshest and prettiest form.
2. To help create a cheerful environment in the hospital and in the patient room.
Special Considerations:
1. Flowers should not be placed in the direct rays of the sun or the current of an electric
fan.
2. Flowers that exude milk like substance when the stem is cut as if oozing or bleeding
should have the stems seared over a flame such as over a match before they are
immersed in water.
3. Cut stems with sharp knife. Cutting with scissors tend to crush the stem and hinder
absorption.
4. Select the right vase or container for flowers. Deep vases for long stemmed flowers and
shallow bowls for short stemmed flowers.

PROCEDURE RATIONALE 1 2 3 4 5
1.Take the vase and the
flowers in the utility room.
Line the worktable with
newspapers.
2.Wash the vase with soap
and water, rinse thoroughly
and dry well.
3.Fill vase with fresh water.
4.Wash stems of the flowers,
remove wilted leaves and
flowers.
Remove also excess leaves
on the stem that reach
water line in vase.
5.Cut the stems diagonally.
6.Place the flowers one at a
time in the vase or
container. The inherent
beauty of each bloom,bud
and leaf should be in
evidence. Nothing makes a
better background for an

arrangement than a flower’s

own foliage. Avoid crowding
of flowers.
7.Discard properly
 newspaper, leaves and
flowers. Clean up work
area.
8.Take vase of flowers to the
bedside or to the nurse
counter.

AFTER CARE:
1. Change the water in the vase daily and cut a part of the stem everyday to prolong
freshness of the flowers.
2. Remove wilted leaves and flowers and replace with fresh ones if necessary.
DISINFECTION
 It is an ongoing practice that is observed in the care of the patient, his supplies and his
immediate environment to limit or control the spread of microorganisms and disease.
DISINFECTANT
 A substance usually intended for use on inanimate objects that destroys pathogens but
not generally there spores.

Materials:
● Dusting cloth
● Basin w/ disinfectant solution
● Utility brush

PROCEDURE RATIONALE 1 2 3 4 5
1.Remove from the unit any
special used by former
patient and provide for its
care.
Example: suction
apparatus,oxygen
equipment
2.Remove all possible
materials and throw them
in the waste can wrapped in
a newspaper.
3.Remove other hospital
equipments like bedpans,
urinals & etc.wash them
with water & detergent and
sterilize according to
hospital policy.
4.Strip bed & discard linen in
laundry hamper; place
pillows on a chair.
5.Remove rubber sheet. Wash
it with soap & water. Hang
to dry.
6.Roll mattress to one side.
7.Replace mattress.
8.Arrange unit and leave it in
order.
Disinfection of a Sterile Unit (OR-DR)

PROCEDURE RATIONALE 1 2 3 4 5
1.Remove from the unit any
special equipment used by
the patient.
Example: Suction apparatus,
oxygen equipment
etc.
2.Remove all disposable
materials from the unit and
discard them.
3.Sweep the floor carefully
avoiding wet spots. Mop
wet spots.
4.Begin disinfecting on OR-DR
back table and walls starting
from the top to bottom with
dust cloth soaked in Lysol
solution.
5.Wring dusting cloth well to
remove excess Lysol.
6.Move in clockwise or
counterclockwise motion.
7.When there is an object on
the table, lift and hold over
original position. Wipe
underneath. Put it back in
proper position.
8.Change solution frequently
when it comes dirty.
9.Wipe last patient table with
Lysol, let mattress dry by
standing it on its side.
10.Disinfect flooring with
Lysol.
Disinfection of Nursery

PROCEDURE RATIONALE 1 2 3 4 5
1.Remove any special
equipment used by the
baby.
2.Discard any disposable
materials in the unit.
3.Disinfect the walls, viewing
glass window and floor.
4.Disinfect bassinet in the
nursery including mattress.
5.Disinfect the workroom
area
and the articles in it.