The E = MC2 project: Environment = maintaining cleanliness, a multidisciplinary approach to establish a routine cleaning schedule for medical equipment

ISSUE: During environmental rounds, the infection control coordinator noticed many pieces of medical equipment with stains and visibly dried dust and dirt. Equipment included wheelchairs, stretchers, commodes, buckets, lifts, scales, IV poles, carts, stands, tables, and stools. The issue was presented to the environment of care committee (EOC), and a multidisciplinary team was assigned to address the problem. The team had administrative and financial support to complete the project. PROJECT: The E = MC2 project (environment = maintaining cleanliness) was instituted as a multidisciplinary team approach involving nursing, clinical engineering, environmental services, radiology, operating room, laboratories, dietary, transport, endoscopy, cath lab, ambulatory care, and central sterile service. First, all departments with medical equipment were requested to submit a list of the equipment and the method of cleaning each item, how often it was done, what germicide/disinfectant was used, and who was assigned to clean it. Companies were contacted who performed sonic scrub of medical equipment and bids were placed for the contract to clean over 1500 pieces of equipment. RESULTS: During a 2-week period of time, over 1500 pieces of medical equipment were brought to the loading dock for high-pressure cleaning or ultrasonic submersion of devices, preventive maintenance and lubrication of devices, minor painting where required, cleaning of wheels, and removal of tape and labels. Service was done in the evenings and on weekends and cost approximately $20,000. No equipment was damaged or lost in the process, and a semi-annual cleaning schedule was developed to continue to clean the equipment. CONCLUSION: A process to clean medical equipment on a routine basis is an important part of the environment of care program. Infection control is an important member of the EOC team and should assure that medical equipment gets cleaned. This multidisciplinary approach made the process more organized and involved staff participation. The most important factor was the support of administration. The project resulted in staff expressing their appreciation after the cleaning was done. Routine cleaning schedules were implemented and a semi-annual process established to have the equipment cleaned by a contracted vendor. Information on cleaning schedules, vendors, budget and the implementation process will be presented.