Cleaning Gastroenteritis Outbreak
Cleaning requirements in a gastroenteritis outbreak include
PPE Required
Gloves
Mask
Plastic or waterproof gown
Face shield or eye protection
Equipment
Detergents and disinfectants - chlorine is the recommended disinfectant during a gastroenteritis outbreak
A steam cleaner for soft furnishings
Disposable mops and or cloths for cleaning vomit and or faeces
Use only cleaning items and equipment designated YELLOW for cleaning the isolation rooms
DO NOT: Vacuum carpets or polish floors during a norovirus outbreak, as it may recirculate the infectious microbes.
NB: A safety data sheet will be provided by the residential aged care facility on the detergents and disinfectants to be used and how to use them.
Cleaning Different Surfaces
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Hard Surface: 3-Step Clean 1) Clean with hot water and detergent 2) Apply 1000ppm of available chlorine, leave for 10 minutes, then rinse 3) Dry area Soft Surface: 2-Step Clean, Then Steam Clean 1) Clean with hot water and detergent 2) Clean with disinfectant Steam clean soft surfaces, with a steam cleaner above 100°C NB: Equipment and items that cannot be effectively cleaned should be disposed of. Approval may be required from family, resident, and managers of the facility. |
Frequency of Cleaning
Frequently touched surfaces (twice daily)
Minimally touched surfaces (once daily)
Clean the visibly dusty or dirty surfaces and fittings as soon as possible
Clean spills immediately
Shared workspaces should be cleaned and disinfected at the end of each employee's use
Terminal Cleaning Steps
Use terminal cleaning steps to remove the infecting microbes from the residents' room post isolation, transfer, death, or discharge.
1) Wear PPE
2) Remove curtains and bed screens and take them for laundering; curtain hooks must be washed thoroughly with detergent and warm water, then dried thoroughly
3) Clean horizontal surfaces that may collect dust, such as wardrobe tops, shelves, sills, and light fittings
4) Clean walls
5) Clean bathroom fittings
6) Clean windows and mirrors using window cleaner
7) Wipe blind and allow to dry thoroughly before rolling up
8) Tie the yellow clinical waste bag securely
9) Place all used clothes in the yellow clinical waste bag
10) Colour-coded yellow mop head must be placed in the yellow clinical waste bag, labeled, and tied securely for collection and laundering
11) The yellow cleaning bucket must be thoroughly cleaned, dried, and stored upside down; wipe the mop handle with neutral detergent diluted according to the manufacturer's instructions
12) Remove PPE except for mask and place them into a clinical waste bag before leaving the room to reduce opportunities for cross-contamination
13) Wash hands thoroughly after removing protective clothing
14) Remove the mask outside the room and dispose of it in the clinical waste
15) In fresh PPE, re-hang clean curtains once completing the final clean
16) Remove PPE and perform hand hygiene