How can environmental services audits reduce the spread of disease in healthcare?

1 What are ES audits?

ES audits are a method of evaluating the quality and safety of ES processes and outcomes. During an audit, supervisors or managers observe, measure, and document the performance of ES staff and the condition of the environment they clean. Audits can be conducted internally or externally by third-party evaluators or inspectors. They cover aspects such as compliance with policies and procedures, adherence to cleaning frequencies and schedules, use of cleaning products and methods, availability and maintenance of cleaning equipment and supplies, staff training and competency, as well as customer satisfaction and feedback.

2 Why are ES audits important?

ES audits are important for several reasons. First, they can help identify and correct gaps or deficiencies in ES practices that may compromise the quality and safety of the environment and increase the risk of disease transmission. For example, an ES audit may reveal that some staff are not following the correct disinfection protocol for high-touch surfaces or that some areas are not cleaned as frequently as required. These issues can be addressed by providing feedback, coaching, or retraining to the staff involved, or by revising the policies and procedures accordingly.

Second, ES audits can help monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and impact of ES interventions on the environment and the health outcomes of the patients and staff. For example, an ES audit may measure the level of microbial contamination or the incidence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) before and after implementing a new cleaning product or method. These data can help determine whether the intervention is achieving the desired results or whether it needs to be modified or discontinued.

Third, ES audits can help recognize and reward the achievements and contributions of ES staff and foster a culture of continuous improvement and accountability. For example, an ES audit may highlight the best practices or the exemplary performance of some staff or teams and acknowledge their efforts and professionalism. These recognitions can motivate and empower ES staff to maintain or exceed their standards and to share their knowledge and experience with their peers.

3 How to conduct ES audits?

When conducting an ES audit, there is no one-size-fits-all approach as different facilities may have different goals, resources, and challenges. To guide the process, you should define the scope and purpose of the audit, develop the audit criteria and tools, plan and schedule the audit, conduct the audit, and report and follow up on the audit. To define the scope and purpose of the audit you should consider what aspects of ES work you want to assess, your objectives and expectations, and who your stakeholders and customers are. Developing the audit criteria and tools involves deciding on standards or guidelines to measure performance of ES staff and condition of the environment, as well as methods or instruments to collect and analyze data. When planning and scheduling the audit you should determine when and how often it will be conducted, who will be involved in the audit team, and how to communicate with ES staff. During the audit you should observe, measure, document ES practices and outcomes while ensuring safety and confidentiality. Finally, when reporting and following up on the audit you should present findings and recommendations, solicit feedback from ES staff, implement action plans or corrective measures if necessary.

5 What are the challenges of ES audits?

ES audits can also pose some challenges or barriers for healthcare facilities and ES staff, such as a lack of time, staff, or budget to conduct regular and comprehensive audits. Additionally, there may be a lack of clear, consistent, or updated standards or guidelines to follow or compare. Furthermore, there may be a lack of adequate or appropriate tools or technology to collect or analyze data. Moreover, there may be a lack of support or buy-in from ES staff or other stakeholders who may perceive audits as punitive, intrusive, or irrelevant. Finally, there may be a lack of feedback, recognition, or incentives for ES staff who may feel demoralized, frustrated, or resistant to change.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?