Exotics General Cleaning Policies

Exotics General Cleaning Policies

Per shift

  • Personnel assigned to a procedure are responsible to clean/scrub and disinfect any surfaces/equipment immediately following use (exam tables, thermometers, stethoscopes, etc.).
  • Any equipment requiring specialized cleaning / sterilization should be brought to the attention of the technical staff.
  • Strip, clean, and disinfect cages and runs of discharged patients.
    • Including bowls, cage doors, and drains.
  • Keep wards, treatment rooms, exam rooms, kitchen, and halls free of debris and clean.

Daily

  • Treatment rooms cleaned and disinfected and allowed to dry
    • Including all work surfaces, counter tops, sinks, drains, carts, etc.
  • Strip and disinfect all cages and runs marked as dirty.
  • Remove debris from all drains.
  • Areas that cannot be hosed down, pour water and disinfectant down drains to ensure proper drain maintenance.
  • Strip and disinfect all wards and floors.
  • Check disinfection foam dispensers, spray bottles, paper towel holders, and soap dispensers- replace/ refill when necessary.

Weekly

  • Random nosocomial cultures.

Monthly

  • Strip and disinfect all cages and runs regardless of use.
  • Perform disinfection process of all areas with Accel instead of HDQ.
  • Review chart of disinfection tracking (HWC Technician Supervisor)

Restricted Housing

In-patient:

  • Cage / run is to be cleaned, scrubbed, and disinfected.
  • If the patient’s cage requires frequent cleaning, additional cages should be assigned for exclusive use by the patient.
  • PPE is to be worn during cleaning of cage or run, in compliance with Restriction PPE policies.
  • All trash is discarded in biohazard bags to be incinerated.
  • All bedding is placed in biodegradable red bags and placed in laundry bins for removal.
  • All equipment used is designated to that patient (i.e. thermometer, stethoscope,etc.)
  • PPE is to be discarded after use; in compliance with Restriction PPE policies.
  • Area must be clean, organized, and free of debris at all times to prevent possible contamination of other areas.

Discharged patient Housing

  • Cage or run marked as Do Not Use.
  • All medical supplies are cleaned and disinfected, or discarded by the technician
  • PPE is to be worn during cleaning of cage or run, in compliance with Restriction PPE policies.
  • All trash is discarded in biohazard bags to be incinerated.
  • All bedding is placed in biodegradable red bags and placed in laundry bins for removal.
  • Cage / run is to be cleaned, scrubbed, and disinfected.
  • All equipment is to be cleaned, disinfected and / or autoclaved.
  • Step 6 is performed two times.  A gown is not necessary for the second disinfection cycle.
  • Cultures are taken after cage / run dries and the cage / run is marked as “Culture Pending”.

Isolation Housing

In-patient:

  • Cage / run is to be cleaned, scrubbed, and disinfected.
  • PPE is to be worn during cleaning of cage or run, in compliance with the Isolation PPE procedures.
  • All trash is discarded in biohazard bags to be incinerated.
  • All bedding is placed in biodegradable red bags and placed in laundry bins for removal.
  • All equipment used is designated to that patient.
  • If there are 2 patients housed in the Isolation Ward – all shared equipment (scale, exam table, etc.) shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between patients. The floor in the isolation treatment area will be disinfected between patients.
  • PPE is to be discarded after use; in compliance with the Isolation PPE procedures.

Discharged patient stall

  1. Isolation cage / ward will be marked  Do Not Use
  2. All medical supplies are cleaned and disinfected, or discarded by the technician
  3. PPE is to be worn during cleaning of cage or run, in compliance with the Isolation PPE procedures.
  4. All trash is discarded in biohazard bags to be incinerated.
  5. All bedding is placed in biodegradable red bags and placed in laundry bins for removal.
  6. Isolation area (B102) is stripped, scrubbed, and disinfected.
  7. All isolation equipment is to be cleaned, disinfected and/or autoclaved
  8. Step 6 is performed two times. Coveralls are not necessary for the second disinfection cycle.
  9. Cultures are taken after cage dries and the cage is marked as “Culture Pending”.

Definitions

  • Strip – remove all loose debris; to expose the surface for degreasing or disinfecting.
  • Disinfect – disinfectant should be applied (per manufacturer guidelines) to a surface free of all debris and allowed a 15 minute contact time.  It is then thoroughly rinsed and the surface allowed to dry.
    • HDQ is the standard disinfectant and used for all non-infectious applications
    • Accel is used for Restriction, Isolation, and any suspect infectious situations