Offices/exam rooms
- Exam rooms – between patients/daily/weekly
- Best Practices for Environmental Cleaning for Prevention and Control of Infections in All Health Care Settings, 3rd Edition – Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC)
- Cleaning and disinfection of non-critical multi-use equipment and devices in community settings – Infection Prevention and Control Canada
- Environmental Cleaning in Non-Healthcare Public Settings (Middlesex-London Health Unit)
- BC Centre for Disease Control – guideline on medical office cleaning
- Waiting room + offices
- Keeping rooms “bare” – surfaces clear of equipment other than computer monitor
- Anticipate what you will need for the visit and bring into exam room with you (i.e. tongue depressors, reflex hammers, swabs, etc.)
- “Common areas” used by multiple physicians/staff – i.e., lab, storage rooms, procedure rooms, weigh scales, etc.
- Limit the number of different individuals that use these areas (i.e., dedicated staff for lab?)
- Disinfect these areas frequently.
Electronics
- Examples: tablets, touch screens, keyboards, remote controls, and point of sale machines
- Consider putting a wipeable cover on electronics.
- Follow manufacturer’s instruction for cleaning and disinfecting
- If no manufacturer’s guidance, use alcohol-based wipes or sprays containing 70-90% alcohol. Dry surface thoroughly.
- Key tips for sanitizing your mobile phone, from OCFP
Cloth gowns, clothing, towels, linens, and other items
- Fact sheet: laundry – Canadian Committee on Antiobiotic Resistance
- Launder items according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Use the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely.
- Wear disposable gloves when handling dirty laundry from a person who is sick.
- Dirty laundry from a person who is sick can be washed with other people’s items.
- Do not shake dirty laundry.
- Clean and disinfect clothes hampers according to guidance for surfaces.
- Wash hands before and after using gloves.
Maintaining restrooms that remain open
If restrooms will be closed, notify visitors ahead of time so they can prepare appropriately.
- Ensure toilets are functional and restrooms are supplied with toilet paper, hot and cold running water, soap, paper towel or air dryer, plastic lined waste container, and hand sanitizer with 70%-95% alcohol
- Clean and disinfect twice daily – more often if possible
- Disinfect high touch surfaces frequently with appropriate disinfectants including faucets, toilets, handles, doorknobs, and light switches
Disinfectants
- A list of hard surface disinfectants from Health Canada
- Bleach solution – Southwestern Public Health