Environmental Services

Three is the magic number when it comes to getting rid of bacteria on plastic surfaces, suggests research from a University of Alberta study. Swiping a plastic surface three times will get rid of most bacteria, regardless of whether youre using a disinfectant wipe or a tissue with saline, a team in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry have discovered. But if time is short, a single swipe with a bacteria wipe is best.

As a seasoned veteran of the professional cleaning industry, Linda Bowman brought years of experience to her job as group leader in environmental services when she came to Adventist Hinsdale Hospital in 2002. But her prior work was for shopping malls and office buildings. When she began her job at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital, it was the first time she worked in health care environmental services. She found the change significant.

Johns Hopkins researchers say they have identified practical strategies to implement environmentally friendly practices in operating rooms and other hospital facilities that could result in vastly reduced healthcare costs and pose no risk to patient safety.

Pathogenic microorganisms are transmitted in numerous ways in hospitals. One important consideration is the role that the environment plays in pathogen transmission, specifically leading to airborne and waterborne infections.