Coronavirus Cleaning and Disinfection Services for Nursing Homes

3/16/2020 (Permalink)

Coronavirus Deep Cleaning from SERVPRO

Nursing facilities and long-term care facilities are a focal point for the growing domestic COVID-19 (a.k.a coronavirus disease 2019) epidemic. The CDC has identified those with chronic medical conditions (heart disease, lung disease & diabetes) as being even more vulnerable.

As long term care facilities handle the ramifications of this disease on top of all the regular responsibilities of caring for the sick and elderly, cleaning services can be a huge help in managing the disinfection of a nursing home.

Best Practices for Visitors and Caretakers to Prevent the Spread of Pathogens:

• Wash your hands with soap frequently and thoroughly.
• When hand-washing is unavailable, use hand sanitizing products.
• Avoid touching faces.
• Practice social distancing (avoid hugs or shaking hands).
• Stay home (especially if you’re sick) and cancel any unessential appointments. (If it can wait, cancel.)
• Limit facility visitors.
• Don’t allow symptomatic people to enter the facility.

Cleanliness is how an administration can be most proactive. Some may claim they have a product or service that can prevent and even cure this virus. Please remain vigilant that such claims are unsubstantiated. No product has been tested and proven to cure or prevent this strain of the Coronavirus.

Actions We Take to Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus and Infectious Diseases

Long term care facilities are for those who (to various degrees) require help. This places a great responsibility upon nursing home care providers. Being proactive is crucial to mitigating the threat of pathogens.

The Coronavirus is currently thought to mainly spread through droplets that are released into the air from the cough or sneeze of an affected person. The virus is also believed to live for up to three days on surfaces. This means that if the microorganisms attach to the hands, the virus can enter the body by a person touching vulnerable points (mouth, nose or eyes).

Responding to outbreaks creates a need for bioremediation and decontamination of commonly used surfaces. An action plan should also include the safe disposal and carry of infected materials. It’s highly recommended that biohazard cleanup services be included in response to the threat against our most vulnerable.

SERVPRO Cleanup Scope and Disinfecting Procedures

We’re meticulous and thorough about our clean up procedures. The CDC highly recommends consistent cleaning of "high touch" areas. Below is a list of areas that are more prone to harboring germs.

Cleanup Scope of Work and Planning

Areas considered to be "high-touch" and should be kept sterile:

• Counters
• Tabletops
• Doorknobs
• Light switches
• Bathroom fixtures
• Toilets
• Phones
• Keyboards
• Tablets
• Tables

Examples of heavy use areas:

• Kitchen/food areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/classrooms
• Offices
• Retail spaces
• Water fountains
• Shelving and racks
• Sales counters
• Carpets and rugs
• Stair handrails
• Elevator cars
• Playground equipment
• Fitness equipment

It’s crucial to keep high traffic and "high touch" areas thoroughly sanitized by frequent cleaning.

Disinfection Does Not Protect Against Future Contamination

Using a thorough and professional cleaning service like SERVPRO is not continuous protection for care facilities. The job only decontaminates the structure and its contents at the time of completion.

If it was discovered that another resident was diagnosed with COVID-19, or a visitor affected by the Coronavirus potentially left pathogens of the virus behind, the area and its contents would need a repeat decontamination.

Routine cleaning and decontaminating services may be required to manage risk for nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

SERVPRO Provides Other Services to Combat Spread of Infection

Our Commitment to the Community:

• SERVPRO professionals are trained in adhering to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.
• SERVPRO is performing all cleanup and bioremediation in accordance with the guidelines provided by the CDC and local authorities.
• SERVPRO’s proprietary cleaning agent, SERVPROXIDE, is an EPA-certified, hospital-grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses similar to Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19) on hard, non-porous surfaces.

SERVPRO of Richardson is actively monitoring the latest information and advisories from the CDC. We are a proven provider for the prevention and disinfection of affected areas. Our thorough cleaning plan includes textile cleaning with our industrial-grade Esporta Wash System. This involves the safe transfer of any contaminated objects.

We are on call 24 hours a day to assist in any nursing home or assisted living biohazard emergency. We are available for any kind of cleaning situation be it a preventive measure for suspected cases or a confirmed case of COVID-19 with a nursing home resident or staff member. We understand which resources are needed to carry out the bioremediation services. We thoroughly clean, disinfect and sanitize the facility.

SERVPRO is diligent in following all CDC regulations and guidelines and we recommend that all nursing care facilities do the same. 

SERVPRO of Richardson is committed to doing our part to be of aid to those who serve the most vulnerable. We are prepared to respond 24/7. Call us at (972) 690-1414 anytime.