Hygiene in healthcare: The importance of updating your washrooms in a post-covid world
Despite living in a post-Covid era, cases are once again rising as a new variant has been identified. But don’t worry, before we fall into a pit of Covid despair, this article isn’t about the scourge of the pandemic.
No, it’s about the importance of hygiene in the healthcare industry and how you can update your healthcare washrooms for maximum cleanliness in a post-Covid world.
Below, we’ll share five ways you can update your healthcare toilets, as well as why it’s so important to do so.
1. Introduce cladding
Although it may require a bigger washroom refurbishment project, one great way to reduce the build up of germs in your healthcare facilities is to reduce the amount of surfaces, nooks and crevices that dirt can accumulate in.
Sure, bathroom tiles and splashbacks might look nice, but grout, grooves and cracks can quickly build up dirt and dust and allow germs to breed.
Using cladding throughout your healthcare washrooms, particularly in your toilet cubicles, can help to alleviate this build up. Plus, the smooth surface makes them easier to clean thoroughly to remove and reduce germs in the future.
Best of all, this cladding comes in an impressive range of colours and finishes, so it’s easy to find the right style to suit your washrooms.
2. Replace old toilets
Toilet pans are particularly unpleasant and require frequent cleaning to ensure the best possible standards of hygiene. While there is no way to replace these or get around this, there is something you can do to make these more sanitary and to create a cleaner space instantly.
You can opt for wall hung toilet pans. These not only look smart, but as they are hung above the floor, it is also easier to mop and clean around the area. What’s more, these are typically installed with a wall duct meaning that the pipes are hidden.
Of course, this looks great and stops the spread of germs even further.
3. Embrace hands-free technology
Thanks to advances in technology and particularly sensors, it is now possible to offer a range of automatic, hands-free bathroom appliances. For example, you can install automatic flushing toilets.
Alternatively, you can install toilets that don’t have a flush that relies on a sensor. Instead, these toilets will not automatically flush until the toilet seat has been closed. This is important as flushing toilets can spread germs up to six feet and these can remain airborne for up to two hours.
Not only his, but you can add taps and soap dispensers with a sensor. This can be beneficial as sinks can actually hold up to 250,000% more germs than a toilet handle.
Lastly, you might consider installing automatic hand dryers or paper towel dispensers that rely on a sensor, if you haven’t already.
Paper towel dispensers can be the more hygienic option, as hand dryers can move harmful air around. That being said, either option is ideal for reducing the build up of germs.
Choosing to install these automatic and hands-free features reduces the amount of people touching the appliances and therefore, the potential spread of bacteria. While these systems may require a bit of work in terms of refurbishing your healthcare washrooms, it is more than worth it for the results it yields.
4. Make bathrooms easy to access
Think about how many people use the toilets everyday and all of those people will be required to open the door to gain access. This can make door handles one of the dirtiest parts of a the facilities.
With this in mind, it might be time to replace your doors, or even just lubricate the hinges. Make sure the door is easy enough to open that it can be done with minimal effort and skin contact.
Better still if you can install a swing door that operates both ways and can be nudged with an elbow either way.
5. Ensure proper ventilation
Finally, you need proper ventilation.
How you ventilate your healthcare washrooms will vary depending on where they are located within the building, but if there is the option to install more windows, this is a good idea, even if you have to put safety bars on them.
However, if the location of the toilets prohibits you from having windows, it’s crucial that you have efficient ventilation fans and pipes in place. Take this into account when refurbishing your healthcare toilets to help keep the air clean and allow germs to dissipate as quickly as possible.