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Cleaning and waste disposal procedures: Infection Control Cleaning techniques have an important role to play in the wellbeing of people living and working in residential aged care. From Aged Care New Zealand Issue 01 2022 The health, wellness, safety and overall care of residents in aged care facilities has always been of the utmost importance, but the onset of COVID 19 has led to a distinctive elevation of the cleaning crew. Aged care cleaners have always been important, but now everyone recognises it. Cleaners have never been so appreciated and are now finally getting the recognition they deserve and the resources they should always have had. People in facilities are acknowledging the cleaning staff and understanding that they’re doing as difficult a task as what the care worker does and as vital, if not more. And residents are appreciating the cleaners, which is positive for the workforce. Examining the challenges and solutions of cleaning techniques and products within aged care facilities can help provide a safe and high quality health system that offers ultimate care required and elevate the overall standard for people living in aged care facilities.  Cleaning – general procedures Cleaning is important for infection control – particularly in work areas – because deposits of dust, soil and microbes on surfaces can transmit infection. Contaminated areas such as operating rooms or isolation rooms must be cleaned after each session, and spot cleaned after each case or thoroughly cleaned as necessary. The following basic principles should be followed:
Cleaning – specific procedures Surface cleaning Floors in aged care facilities should be cleaned daily or, as necessary, with a vacuum cleaner fitted with a particulate-retaining filter. The filter should be changed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The exhaust air should be directed away from the floor to avoid dust dispersal. A ducted vacuum cleaning system can also be used; as long as safe venting of the exhaust air is ensured.  Damp dusting using a lint free cloth is essential. Brooms disperse dust and bacteria into the air and should not be used in patient or clinical areas. Dust retaining mops which are specifically treated or manufactured to attract and retain dust particles, do not increase airborne counts as much as ordinary brooms and remove more dust from surfaces. However brooms and dust retaining mops should not be used in clinical areas where there is high risk of infection associated with dust (for example, burns units). The procedure for routine surface cleaning is as follows:
Specialised areas Isolation and treatment rooms and ensuite bathrooms should be cleaned at least twice daily. Sterilising processing departments should be cleaned at least twice daily and when visibly soiled. Wet areas The following should be cleaned at least daily and more frequently as required:
 Walls and fittings
Cleaning other infection disease agents Spills of blood and other body fluids and tissues should be cleaned using standard spills management procedures. PPE used when cleaning contaminated surfaces should be incinerated after use. Reusable eye protection should be cleaned as above. Maintenance of cleaning equipment Cleaning items (including solutions, water, buckets, cleaning cloths and mop heads) should be changed after each use. They should also be changed immediately following the cleaning of blood or body substance spills. These items should be washed in detergent and warm water, rinsed and stored dry between uses. Mops with detachable heads should be laundered between uses. Waste disposal All healthcare facilities should have policies and procedures in place for the correct management of all waste generated. The Environmental Protection Authority New Zealand (EPANZ) has clear guidelines on how waste should be managed. The National Health, and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) also has guidance on the management of waste generated in healthcare facilities. Waste is classified into three main groups of waste:
All waste should be stored in secure areas until collection. Waste disposal companies licensed with the EPA will collect all clinical and pharmaceutical waste for disposal in specialised waste disposal facilities, which are also licensed by the EPA. Waste should be removed from clinical areas at least three times each day, and more frequently as needed, such as from specialised areas. Waste bags should be tied before removing from the area. General waste disposal Place in general waste bin for removal. Walls and screens should be cleaned quarterly or if visibly soiled. Blinds and curtains should be cleaned quarterly of if visibly soiled. Carpets should be vacuumed daily, and other floor surfaces washed daily when soiled. Bed and examination screens should be changed weekly and when visibly soiled. Cleaning other infection disease agents Spills of blood and other body fluids and tissues should be cleaned using standard spills management procedures. PPE used when cleaning contaminated surfaces should be incinerated after use. Reusable eye protection should be cleaned as above. Maintenance of cleaning equipment Cleaning items (including solutions, water, buckets, cleaning cloths and mop heads) should be changed after each use. They should also be changed immediately following the cleaning of blood or body substance spills. These items should be washed in detergent and warm water, rinsed and stored dry between uses. Mops with detachable heads should be laundered between uses. Waste disposal All healthcare facilities should have policies and procedures in place for the correct management of all waste generated. The Environmental Protection Authority New Zealand (EPANZ) has clear guidelines on how waste should be managed. The National Health, and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) also has guidance on the management of waste generated in healthcare facilities. Waste is classified into three main groups of waste:
All waste should be stored in secure areas until collection. Waste disposal companies licensed with the EPA will collect all clinical and pharmaceutical waste for disposal in specialised waste disposal facilities, which are also licensed by the EPA. Waste should be removed from clinical areas at least three times each day, and more frequently as needed, such as from specialised areas. Waste bags should be tied before removing from the area. General waste disposal Place in general waste bin for removal.  Clinical waste disposal
Place in biohazard bags as soon as possible. Biohazard bags have a biohazard symbol and are currently coloured yellow. Single use sharps should be placed (by the user) into a sharps container that meets the Australian and New Zealand Standards AS 4031:1992 and AS.NZS 4261:1994. Pharmaceutical waste disposal When uncertain about how to dispose of leftover pharmaceuticals they should be returned to pharmacy for correct disposal. Most disinfectants can be disposed of through the sewer system by running cold water into the sink before pouring the disinfectant into the sink. Leaving the cold water running for a few moments after the disinfectant has been disposed of dilutes the disinfectant. Impacts of infection control One of the biggest and most common challenges for aged care facilities is infection control. The risk of healthcare associated infections occurs for many reasons, and while they can’t be completely eliminated they can be managed with the correct protocols. Environmental services or frequent touchpoints such as door handles, bathroom taps, and lift buttons can carry infections, which is why Community and Public Health recommends these areas be cleaned more frequently than the routinely recommended daily cleaning. Other elements including productivity and time management are pivotal for success. It is important aged care facilities continue to solve the challenges they are facing while striving for the best possible cleaning standard for residents. Reference: Aged Care NZ Issue 02 2022 Comments are closed.
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AuthorShonagh O'Hagan Archives
December 2025
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