How can you ensure your sanitation procedures are effective?

1 Assess your current situation

The first step to ensure your sanitation procedures are effective is to assess your current situation and identify any gaps or areas of improvement. You can use tools such as checklists, audits, surveys, or inspections to evaluate your sanitation practices, equipment, supplies, staff, training, and documentation. You should also compare your results with the benchmarks and requirements from the AHE, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and any other relevant authorities.

3 Monitor and measure your results

The third step to ensure your sanitation procedures are effective is to monitor and measure your results and track your progress. You should use indicators and metrics that are relevant, reliable, and valid to measure your sanitation performance, such as the infection rates, the satisfaction scores, the compliance rates, or the cost savings. You should also collect and analyze data from various sources, such as the audits, surveys, inspections, or feedback forms. You should report your results regularly and transparently to your clients, regulators, and stakeholders, and use them to identify any issues or opportunities for improvement.

4 Review and revise your procedures

The fourth step to ensure your sanitation procedures are effective is to review and revise your procedures periodically and as needed. You should conduct a periodic review of your sanitation plan and procedures to ensure they are up to date, relevant, and aligned with the AHE and other standards and expectations. You should also revise your procedures whenever there are changes in your facility, staff, clients, regulations, or best practices. You should involve your sanitation staff, clients, regulators, and stakeholders in the review and revision process, and communicate any changes clearly and effectively.

6 Seek feedback and support

The sixth step to ensure your sanitation procedures are effective is to seek feedback and support from your clients, regulators, stakeholders, and peers. You should solicit and listen to their opinions, suggestions, complaints, and compliments, and use them to improve your sanitation procedures and performance. You should also seek support and guidance from the AHE and other professional organizations, as well as from other facilities and experts in the field. You should leverage their resources, networks, and experiences to enhance your knowledge, skills, and practices.

7 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?