How to Keep Restrooms from Becoming Cross-Contamination Hot Zones

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How to Keep Restrooms from BecomingCross-Contamin
ation Hot Zones
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Introduction

• You will learn the whys and hows of
  restroom cleaning
• Learn some basic microbiology as it relates to
  disease transmission
• Sell your customers (internal and external) on
  the benefits of clean sanitary restrooms

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Agenda

• Bill of Rights for restroom users
• Hands-free is worry-free
• Why restroom sanitizing is important
• The dirt on unsanitary restrooms-some basic
  microbiology
• Choosing the right disinfectant
• Best practices in restroom sanitation
• Selling CLEAN and SANITARY
• Questions Answers

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Overview

• A properly designed restroom, a comprehensive
  cleaning program and the use of best practices
  can reduce the potential for cross-contamination
  throughout a restroom
• The topics fit together like pieces of a puzzle

training
tools
plan
Design
Clean
Why?
SALE!
SAFE
barriers
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Vocabulary

• Glossary of terms
• Clean
• Sanitary
• Disinfectant
• Hot zones
• Cross-contamination
• Design for maintainability

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BILL of RIGHTS for restroom users

• Not to be grossed out
• Handicapped accessible
• Well lighted
• Clean and fresh smelling
• Free of graffiti
• Adequate supplies
• Not to get a disease
• The Best Seat in the House

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Hands-free is Worry-free

• Toilets and urinal flushers
• Rotating toilet seat cover
• Soap dispensers/hand sanitizers
• Faucets
• Paper towels v. Electric Blowers
• Trash cans
• Doors Sprayers, openers or none
• Sanitary napkin disposal
• restroom cleaning-pressure washers

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Why restroom sanitizing is important

• Reduces the possibility of cross-contamination
  from user to user
• Reduced absenteeism
• Perception of buildings cleanliness
• Minimize complaints from building occupants
• Increased morale
• Greater productivity

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The dirt on unsanitary restrooms-some basic
microbiology

• 50 of publics complaints-dirty restrooms
• Public awareness of disease transmission as it
  relates to unsanitary conditions in restrooms
• Cross-contamination hot zones
• Whats that growing in the grout?
• The toilet plume-I study toilets-that takes
  guts. Charles P. Gerba (aka Dr. Germ)
• Where do ladies put a purse?
• The role of decaying bacteria and odors

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The dirt on unsanitary restrooms-some basic
microbiology

• (continued)
• Remove biofilm
• Germs-dont feed em, dont move em
• Remove germs rather than kill them
• Get microbiologist-vision!
• Non-porous
• High touch
• Moisture
• Air vent cleaning

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Choosing the Right Disinfectant

• Definition of disinfectant
• Read the label
• EPA registration
• Dwell or contact time
• Organic load
• Water hardness
• Dilution rate
• Target organisms
• Universal precautions

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Choosing the Right Disinfectant

• (CONTINUED)
• Sterilants, disinfectants, sanitizersoh my!
• Profiling Disinfectant Types
• Household bleach
• Phenolics
• Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats)
• OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard
• Bacteria becoming resistant to disinfectants?
• Green disinfectants?

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Best Practices in Restroom Sanitation

• Establish a Standard of Appearance for
  restrooms
• Cleaning is a process with clearly-defined steps
• Choose the right cleaning chemicals
• Train employees on the importance of cleaning for
  health, not appearance
• Remove graffiti as soon as it appears
• Floor scrubbing

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Best Practices in Restroom Sanitation

• (CONTINUED)
• High pressure washers
• Vapor Cleaning
• Install the largest dispensing system possible
• Get rid of refillable soap dispensers
• Buy the best quality paper goods and soap your
  budget will allow
• Provide sanitizing wipes
• Service the restroom often
• Dont use Cleaning Scheduleon the restroom door

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Selling CLEAN and SANITARY

• By reducing or eliminating cross-contamination,
  an employer or building owner will
• Meet customer expectations
• Improve employee retention
• Improve morale
• Improve attendance
• Improve occupancy rates

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Summary

• Lessons learned
• How will you apply what you have learned?
• Questions?

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Where to Get More Information

• Microbiology for Cleaning Workers Simplified by
  John Walker, ManageMen, Inc.
• Frugalisms Creative Ideas on Leadership in
  Facilities and Housekeeping Operations, by Alan
  and Linda Bigger, an I.E.H.A., Inc. publication
• Infection Control for Dummies, by J. Darrel
  Hicks, an I.E.H.A. publication
• Consulting services by J. Darrel Hicks, BA, REH,
  CHESP