As a facility manager, it isn’t unusual to overestimate the effectiveness of our office cleaning services.
Maybe our medical office cleaning service started strong, but over time we’ve noticed the service has slipped below an acceptable level of clean.
Or perhaps we get so used to the state of our building that we stop “seeing” some of the details other people notice immediately.
Sometimes we are simply so inundated with other issues that we don’t feel like we even have the time to consider new medical cleaning services.
The reality is that less than adequate medical cleaning can create a host of negative consequences for your facility.
If your medical cleaning is slipping, it might be time to consider your options.
Medical Cleaning From Your Patient’s Perspective
Remember secret shoppers?
They’re used by market research companies, watchdog organizations, and even businesses to measure customer experience, service quality, and compliance.
A secret shopper experiences the environment the same way a customer would, and then shares detailed feedback on what they noticed.
So what would a secret shopper, or a “secret patient,” have to say about your facility?
On a recent visit to a doctor’s office, I made an effort to really pay attention to my surroundings.
And what I can say is this: a number of healthcare facilities should be glad people are glued to their phones.
Because when I looked around, a lot of what I saw wasn’t so great.
Walking into the facility, a mid-sized clinic mostly made up of specialists, I noticed debris and trash stuck in and around the bushes near the parking lot.
It was a windy day, but it looked like the rubbish had been there for a while.
As I approached the building, I noticed the heavy glass entryway doors were greasy with prints and smudges.
It was afternoon, so many people had likely been in and out by that point.
But with it being cold and flu season and a medical facility, it made me hesitate about what germs might be covering the door handles.
How many people with colds, flus, and worse had touched those same handles?
I know the doors can’t be cleaned after every single person, but the visible dirt made me more aware of the risk.
The walk to my physician’s suite was acceptable.
The carpets looked fairly clean, and the walls, baseboards, pictures, and lights were in good condition.
I stopped at the office restrooms before my appointment.
In a medical facility, I expect restrooms to be very clean, but these were not as well cared for as I would have hoped.
I wouldn’t compare them to a stadium restroom, but for a healthcare facility and high-end office building, they needed to be maintained better.
There was water pooling around the sink, and the mirrors were wet and spotted.
Trash and used paper towels had started collecting around the trash can.
The baseboards were dusty, and the drain had mop string stuck in it.
The stalls appeared clean, but it was still clear this space needed more attention.
Once in my doctor’s office, most of the reception area looked good.
The only issue I noticed was the decorative plants, which were very dusty.
After being checked in, I was escorted to an exam room.
As I waited, I took in my surroundings.
There was a dark splotch on a cabinet, though it was hard to tell how long it had been there.
The vinyl baseboards were dusty, scuffed, and in need of attention.
The sink had noticeable mineral buildup around the fixtures that likely could have been removed with a more detailed cleaning.
Patients often sit and wait, and during that time they notice things staff may not.
When we move quickly through facilities just trying to get work done, it’s easy to miss what stands out to someone who is sitting still.
Medical Cleaning Services Matter More Than You Might Think
Medical office cleaning is a vital part of managing healthcare facilities.
A medical facility is viewed very differently than a retail space or even a basic office building.
People are receiving care, and their expectations for cleanliness and order are naturally higher.
Medical cleaning companies must understand how much their work impacts patient confidence and your reputation.
If your cleaning company delivers below an acceptable level, it doesn’t just affect perception.
It can chip away at your bottom line, contribute to illness, and reduce patient satisfaction.
Employee satisfaction and retention can suffer as well.
Don’t Risk Low HCAHPS Scores or Your Valuable Reputation
Negative experiences like this are far from unique.
A look at HCAHPS surveys shows how many patients find facility cleanliness lacking at best and negligent at worst.
When janitorial services don’t measure up, patients and families start questioning the overall quality of care.
With something as important as health and safety, you cannot give people extra reasons to worry.
A Professional Health Care Facility Requires A Professional Commercial Cleaning Company
Do you have a truly professional commercial cleaning company?
Do they understand the unique requirements of medical cleaning?
Do they understand the compliance issues your facility must follow?
Do they have the systems and processes in place to get you the most value for your cleaning budget?
If not, your cleaning company may not be as professional as they claim.
Whether the issue is inexperience or inattention, your patients and staff deserve a clean, well-maintained facility.
Find the Right Prescription For Your Facility
Just because a company wants your business doesn’t mean they’re worthy of it.
Any cleaning company can claim they are great.
But the best janitorial providers back those claims with visible systems and processes, verifiable references, and documented training.
When you mention HIPAA and blood-borne pathogens, do you get a blank stare?
That can be a strong sign they aren’t making your business their business.
Just like physicians have board certifications to demonstrate expertise, medical office cleaning services have industry benchmarks too.
Within the janitorial industry, one of the most recognized is CIMS certification.
CIMS certification can be a valuable tool for Facility Managers looking for quality medical cleaning in Michigan.
It’s a challenging process that requires companies to demonstrate proficiency in areas that directly impact your facility.
CIMS certification is a strong indicator that you’re dealing with a committed, professional commercial cleaning company.
It shows they are serious about delivering the level of service and value you should expect.
