Health
CLEANING and disinfection of the physical environment in hospitals and health care settings is important.
It is a vital patient safety concern, health experts say, as the importance of the hospital environment in patient care is integral in infection prevention and control (IPC).
They say environmental cleaning is important for reducing microbial contamination of surfaces and subsequent risk for health care–associated infections (HAIs).
According to them, HAIs are a leading cause of illness and death worldwide.
However, environmental cleaning is multifaceted, requiring multidimensional processes, of which also entails the physical action of cleaning surfaces to remove organic and inorganic material and disinfecting.
It also requires putting in place appropriate waste disposal and management mechanisms, hand and toilet hygiene measures, as well as monitoring strategies to ensure the appropriateness of these practices among others.
Some correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) some hospitals in Lagos State to ascertain the cleanliness of the hospitals’ physical environment.
At the Alimosho General Hospital, Igando, Lagos State, a visit to the different departments in the hospital showed that the facility was well kept.
Waste bins were strategically positioned at places within the hospital while cleaners were moving around to keep the place clean.
Also, the public toilets within the hospital was adequately managed as two cleaners were positioned at the entrance giving water to users as they come in.
However, there should be functional tap water connected to the toilets and sinks to make ease of flushing of toilets and washing of hands, Miss Sarah Sunmola, a patient, said.
One of the cleaners told NAN that they run three shifts daily to keep the place clean.
On medical waste disposal, an official of the facility who pleaded anonymity told NAN that the hospital medical wastes were segregated from source of generation in colour coded receptacles which are lined with yellow and red bags.
“They are transported to the refuse site by the janitors where they are evacuated on separate days by LAWMA designated operators on alternate days or as at when due.
“We have adequate bins and manpower to cater to keep the hospital environment clean.
“We are working on how to really bring the patients on board to key into improved waste management,” the official told NAN.
Mrs Ajoke Oloti, a patient, said the facility was generally clean but more could be done to ensure improved cleanliness.
“I would still love to see more constant cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces, doors, and others”.
At the Randle General Hospital in Surulere, NAN correspondent who visited the health facility reported that the environment and inside the hospital was also in a neat condition.
Waste bins were placed at different locations within and outside the hospital where waste can be properly dispose.
The male and female toilets were clean and in a good condition for users while the tap in the toilets were all working.
Mr Oke Adejo, a patient, commended the facility for keeping the environment clean.
He, however, said that the back of the hospital, where patients usually sat to wait for or take tests (blood and others) should be cleaner.
According to him, the place smells bad and that there is a “small opening like a gutter there, though dry”.
Mrs Angela Nkadi, another patient, said that the hospital environment was generally clean but appealed that the level of cleanliness be improved upon and sustained.
Efforts to speak with the Medical Director and the Head of Corporate Services on how the hospital medical waste was handle didn’t yield any results, as they were not available as at the time of the visit.
At the Isolo General Hospital, Lagos, some patients and relatives applauded the hospital management for the level of persistent cleanliness they had maintained over the years within the hospital premises.
Mrs Elewechi Nkemjika, a mother of new born baby, said that neatness of the hospital was one the things that gives her joy whenever she goes to the hospital.
“I have been using Isolo General Hospital for over eight years now; I gave birth to my two children here.
“This is the third time I am giving birth in this hospital and I am satisfied with their service particularly in the area of cleanliness ever since I started using it.
“Infection are easily spread and transmitted in a dirty environment, but the hospital, being a healthcare facility, is mindful of its environmental sanitation.
“I think the hospital deserves commendation for their cleanliness because that’s the first step to treatment and prevention of diseases,” Nkemjika said.
Also, Mr Fredrick Godwin, a man whose wife was on admission, said:”In terms cleanliness, the hospital is doing well, but one area they should improve is to reduce the bureaucracies and delays involved in process of their service delivery.
“What if a patient is in emergency health condition that needed critical and urgent attention, it means that such patient might pass away before the hospital’s protocols will be finalised for the individual to receive medical attention.”
NAN reports that there was waste bin for every department, unit and ward, strategically positioned while the cleaners on uniforms were readily available to take any generated waste away.
Similarly, the public toilets as well as the toilets within the wards were neatly kept, as two cleaners were seen on standby at the entrance giving water to users as they come in.
According to them, the cleaners run three shifts daily to ensure that the hospital is kept clean at all times.
The UNDP Global WasteCare Project on Hospital Hygiene, Infection Control and Healthcare Waste Management recommends that the hospital environment must be visibly clean, free from dust and soilage, and acceptable to patients, visitors and staff.
Among other parametres, it also recommends increased levels of cleaning, including the use of hypochlorite and detergent, as some pathogens survive longer in the environment and increased cleanliness is required, environmental contamination may contribute to spread.(NAN)
2nd February, 2025.
C.E.
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