G. Krishna Veni
Overview on Housekeeping DepartmentHistorical Perspective
Under direction of ward nurse
The concept of Housekeeping was not clear
Modern Perspective
Psychological Impact of patients
Improved hygienic practices and better sanitary conditions have a direct relationship to the post operative complications.
Under direction of Housekeeping department
Members of HK department are experts in cleaning and organizing in house activities
The housekeeping departments work has advanced rapidly in recent years and requires not only knowledge of technical skills but also an understanding of the ‘Tools’ of management
Principles of management
Plan, organize, coordinate, control and monitor all the housekeeping activities in hand for effective utilization of resources
Housekeeping – Definition
Housekeeping is defined as the provision of a clean, comfortable and safe environment for the patients and public in a hospital setup
The concept of housekeeping is simplistic
butWhen one considers maintaining a ‘house’ of several hundreds of rooms and numerous public areas, the task becomes gigantic.
Aims of housekeeping department
Achieve the maximum efficiency possible in the care and comfort of the patients and in the smooth running of the hospital.
Establish a welcoming atmosphere and a courteous, reliable service from staff of all departments.
Ensure a high standard of cleanliness and general upkeep in all areas.
Train, control and supervise the staff of housekeeping department.
Establish a good working relationship with other department.
Ensure that safety and security regulations are made known to all staff of the hospital
Responsibilities of Housekeeping Department
Daily cleaning
Periodic cleaning
Trash and garbage removal including proper hospital waste disposal
Discharge cleaning
Exterminating bugs and pests
Preventing spread of infection
Safety and security of the hospital
Creating healing environment
Gardening
Interior decoration
Organization Chart
Organizing Housekeeping Department
Location
Facility & space requirement
Storage areas (e.g. under staircase)
Cupboards with locks
Notice boards
Management information system
Registers (attendance, asset,...)
Forms (Indent, requisitions,…)
Asset list (equipment, materials..)
Checklist (Quality, Maintenance..)
Recruitment and staffing
Tapping the right source
Interview process
Selection process
Grooming
Personal Hygiene
Honesty
Courtesy tact & diplomacy
Orientation
The organization and brief outline of the hospital
Information regarding condition of service, pay, etc.
Information regarding grooming, hygiene, courtesy, safety, security, etc.
Rules like dress code, hours of work, leave policies and procedure, lunch hours, etc.
Hospital tour
Observing Equipments and supplies used in the housekeeping department
Observing cleaning procedures done
Training
Methods of supervision
Housekeeping procedures like sweeping, mopping, dusting work
Equipments and supplies, when to use and how to use, amount to use and care of the equipment. (Attach equip.. usage)
Refresher training
During lean periods
Newer techniques/methods
Practical training under supervision for quality improvement
Qualities of the housekeeper
Basic knowledge of health care sanitation
Ability to plan, administer, and develop all phases of a comprehensive housekeeping program
Ability to assign, supervises, and evaluates the work of subordinates
A pleasant personality
An interest in people and tact in handling them
Inter departmental relationship
Maintenance department (electricity, plumbing, carpentry, civil)
Stores
Laundry
Security
Nursing
Other departments
Management Issues
Effective communication
Absent of responsible person
Work Allocation
Conflicts Management
Time Management
Housekeeping practices in key working areas in hospitals
Out Patient Department and Clinical area
Operation Theater
Ward
Laboratory
Office area
Sanitary area
Outside area
Common Housekeeping practices in key working areas
Systematic cleaning operations – Year calendar
Basic work procedures
Control of odors, pests, rodent & animal control
Waste disposal – methods and procedures
Safety regulation – Accident, fire, electrical
Care of furniture
Interior decoration
Storage procedure for used equipments
Managing Sanitary Workers
Workers under housekeepers
work distribution for male and female workers
Recruitment and selection procedure
Nearby areas
Different areas & families
Physical appearance
Age mix
Effective supervision
Handling the difficult worker
Effective communication
Performance evaluation
Retaining Sanitary Workers
Nutritious snacks
Providing free lunch
Free uniform
Free medical facilities
Recreation (tours, movies etc.)
Sick leave
Change their shifts if they have any acceptable reason
Help them if they require money for Emergency
Help them to educate their children
Bonus for 100% attendance
Challenges …..
Routines need to be planned so that they do not inconvenience doctors, nurses, visitors
Cleaning has to be consistent, suitable in conjecture with nursing procedures, e.g. bed making before vacuum cleaning
A greater need for flexibility and the ability to adjust to interruptions
Methods & equipment require special attention so as to prevent cross - infection
The noise is of more importance than elsewhere.
Greater variation in different work methods and standards in different areas, example - operating theatres, wards and visitor’s lounge
( standards of cleanliness)
The need for check cleaning, that is the frequent re-doing of cleaning tasks, in heavy use areas e.g. Mopping of floors, cleaning of toilets and wash basins. (frequency of cleaning)
Laundry Services
It is a centralized function coming under the housekeeping department taking care of all activities from purchase to linen management to laundry to condemnation
Linen Management will vary based on the climate, culture, systems and procedure of the individual organization
Hospital can go for
Inside laundry services - with adequate machineries
Inside laundry services – Manual wash by dhobi
Outside laundry services – On contract basis
Functions of laundry department
Collection or receiving soiled and infected linen
Processing solid linen through laundry equipment. This includes sorting, sluicing and disinfecting, washing, extracting, drying, conditioning ironing, pressing and folding
Inspection and repair of damaged articles, their contamination and replacement
Distributing finished linen to the respective user departments
Maintenance and control of active and back-up inventions and processed linen
Maintaining all type of registers
Organizing laundry department
Manpower requirement
Duties and responsibilities of linen in - charge housekeepers
Recruitment and selection of dhobi
Management information system
Equipments – selection, care
Linen – selection, care, stain removal procedure
Work procedure
Stain removal procedure
Management issues
Stock the linen materials in 1:3 ratio
Each day the bed sheet is dusted and the side is changed when the bed is made. This way both sides of the sheet is used. On the third day the bed sheet is changed
Use all faded and damaged fabrics for dusting and cleaning windows, furniture etc
Stock the linen materials in 1:3 ratio
Each day the bed sheet is dusted and the side is changed when the bed is made. This way both sides of the sheet is used. On the third day the bed sheet is changed
Use all faded and damaged fabrics for dusting and cleaning windows, furniture etc
Other housekeeping knowledge
Innovative and decorative tasks like flower arrangements and pot decoration etc.
Gardening
Arranging dinner, tea for guests
Arranging rooms for conferences, meetings
Functional arrangements
Conclusion
The housekeeping department is a non-revenue-producing service department in the hospital. A poorly run department results in money needlessly spent and creates a negative impression on patients, visitors and staff, which will adversely affect their perception of the quality of care provided by the hospital.
