In 2007 deep clean strategies to eradicate super bugs including Colostridium Difficile and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have been introduced by Health Secretary Alan Johnston. A Budget of £50 Million was ear marked for deep cleans throughout our 1500 Hospitals in the UK.
To date (17/1/08) less than 50 hospitals have commenced with this prevention programme.
All decontamination works were to be completed by the end of March 2008.
As of the 16/06/08 it was reported that one out of every four hospital trusts in the UK had failed to meet the basic levels of cleanliness and infection control laid down by the Health Protection Agency.
At Greenwood Environmental Ltd. we have developed The Greenwood Process,
a method of fine cleaning and enclosure procedures learned in the
asbestos industry, which we employ in conjunction with the latest
cleaning technology available in the industry to date.
Our aim is to become the industry standard for Deep cleaning and Terminal cleaning in the UK.
Aim:
Our aim is to set the industry standard for terminal cleaning and deep
cleaning throughout hospitals, care
homes and nursing facilities in the UK. Our experience in the asbestos
sector means we can offer both specialist cleaners and specialist
processes. Our team has a combined experience of over 30 years, working
on a wide range of asbestos removal projects.
“It is noteworthy that one of our partners has developed working processes for the management of asbestos in museums around the UK which have since become the industry standard in that sector.”
Unique Approach:
You will already be aware of the practices which are in place to
prevent the spread of C-Difficile and MRSA which rely on the manual
cleaning of surfaces and equipment either by ‘wipe down’ or steam
cleaning and in extreme cases the use of Hydrogen peroxide vapour (HPV) decontamination, or Fogging as it is more commonly known.
Our approach is based on applying these existing cleaning practices in conjunction with tried and tested processes and control measures learned in the Asbestos sector - one of most highly regulated sectors in the country.
“There is growing evidence that deep clean and infection control is beyond the expertise of conventional cleaners. It requires specialist cleaners and specialist processes.”
Decontamination Processes:
The aim of any decontamination process is to remove any visible debris
/ dirt and invisible micro-organisms and make an area safe to
re-inhabit. This is achieved through a combination of processes:
cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation.
Cleaning: is a pre-requisite for disinfection or sterilisation. It involves the removal of any physical debris e.g. dirt, dust and organic matter. This process will reduce the number of organisms present on surfaces and so enable a more effective disinfection process.
Disinfection: is an intermediate level in which micro-organisms (viruses and bacteria) are destroyed. This is usually achieved through the use of heat or chemical methods. Bacterial spores are NOT destroyed during this process.
Sterilisation: This process achieves the complete destruction of micro-organisms and bacterial spores.
Specialist Cleaners:
Asbestos workers are highly skilled and understand the ‘Fine Cleaning’
process. Asbestos work involves systematic and thorough cleaning to
ensure the removal of microscopic asbestos fibres from surfaces and
equipment. Asbestos work involves the strict observance of
contamination control measures to ensure the removal of airborne
particles within the contaminated area. Asbestos workers are trained
and experienced in the decontamination processes required for moving
into and out of a contaminated area.
Specialist Processes:
The existing processes used to combat the spread of C-Difficile and
MRSA do not remove and filter all the air from the cleaning area to
ensure that any airborne spores, or spores which may be released during
the cleaning process, are destroyed.
We take the tried and tested asbestos control measures, which are designed to remove all fibres and prevent any spread during removal and adapt them to provide a more effective Fine Cleaning solution. Such measures include:
- Creating a sealed enclosure around the contaminated area.
- The use of airlocks to enter and leave the area (studies by 3M have shown that over 80% of contamination enters and leaves an area through entrances and exits).
- Before work begins, testing of the sealed area to ensure its integrity.
- Cleaning the area using existing processes of steam cleaning and fogging, combined with the asbestos fine cleaning process
- The use of negative pressure units to suck contaminated air away from the airlock and into a HEPA filter fitted with a high-energy ultra-violet light unit which will trap and destroy any airborne spores. (HEPA filters have an efficiency rating of 99.995%, which assures a very high level of protection against airborne disease transmission). Plate testing of the filter will demonstrate the level of spores trapped which would otherwise have spread throughout the hospital.
Using similar processes, we are also developing a mobile treatment unit, which will be placed on site for the duration of the work, with the purpose of cleaning contaminated hospital beds (or any other equipment) at the site. Normal practice would be to send the bed, mattress and other equipment to an outside facility, often taking several weeks to complete.
The Greenwood Process for deep cleaning of the hospital environment on a regular contracted basis, is as rigorous and through as the process used for terminal cleaning, however.
Should the worst happen and you find yourself with an outbreak of C-Difficile or MRSA in your premises, then you will need to deal with it as quickly as possible with the minimum of disruption to your daily routine. At Greenwood Environmental we understand the need for discretion when bringing an outbreak under control.
This is even more important when using The Greenwood Process, which entails the use of environmental protection suits, airlocks and air filtration units to contain any bacteria.
When Greenwood are called in to execute a terminal clean or deep clean as part of an ongoing contract, we will undertake the work at a time which suits you and causes as little upset as possible to staff and patients alike.
If you have a long term cleaning contract you would like to discuss with us please contact us HERE>>
If you need to talk to someone about a terminal clean NOW please call Paul on 
07983 436004
Understanding our clients requirements is the key to providing the best service time after time. If you have any questions about the services we offer, would like to talk to us directly about a particular contract, or have any questions about an ongoing contract, please contact us:
David Price
david@greenwoodenvironmental.co.uk
Paul Billinge
paul@greenwoodenvironmental.co.uk
Kevin Graham
kevin@greenwoodenvironmental.co.uk
Alternatively you can contact the office on:
Tel: 020 8544 8005
Fax: 020 8544 8006
Or by writing to:
Greenwood Environmental Limited
Highlands House
165 The Broadway
London
SW19 1NE
