Patient room cleaning system and method

• US 9,089,885 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2011
• Issued: 07/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xanitos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Xanitos, Inc.
• Inventors: Crothall, Graeme, Taylor, Raymond J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, Alan S
• Application Number:
  US13/154,290
• Publication Number:
  US 20110284026A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,513 Days
• Field of Search: 705 711- 742
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/51 Storing of cleaning tools, e.g. containers therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/36 Suction cleaners with hose between nozzle and casing; Suction cleaners for fixing on staircases; Suction cleaners for carrying on the back
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0018 integrated in or removably mounted upon the suction cleaner for storing parts of said suction cleaner
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/009 Carrying-vehicles; Arrangements of trollies or wheels; Means for avoiding mechanical obstacles
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/18 Liquid substances or solutions comprising solids or dissolved gases
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 13/00 Accessories or details of general applicability for machines or apparatus for cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06311 Scheduling, planning or task assignment for a person or group

Abstract

A method improving air quality and reducing healthcare-associated infections performed by a cleaning personnel includes the steps of equipping a cleaning cart with a plurality of single-use microfiber cloths and a plurality of microfiber mops, wherein the cleaning cart includes a vacuum cleaning apparatus with an extensible vacuum hose and a plurality of attachments, positioning the cleaning cart outside of an occupied patient room, vacuuming the patient room with the vacuum hose including first and second attachments, disinfecting the surfaces that a patient may contact with a first microfiber cloth soaked in a disinfectant solution, cleaning at least one bathroom fixture with a second microfiber cloth soaked in the disinfectant solution, mopping the floor area including the floor area of the patient restroom with a microfiber mop charged with a neutral cleaner, and placing the microfiber mop in a plastic bag.

Claims

1. A method of improving air quality and reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections performed by three cleaning team members in a patient area including a patient room, a patient restroom, and a floor area, the method comprising:

(a) positioning a cleaning cart outside of the patient room, the cleaning cart having a vacuum cleaning apparatus integrated therein equipped with a filter having at least an ULPA rating and an extensible vacuum hose attached thereto to clean the patient area, said hose being coated with a microbiostatic agent;

(b) a first cleaning team member extending the vacuum hose from the cleaning cart into the patient room, wherein the cleaning cart remains positioned outside the patient area; and

(c) vacuuming the above-floor surfaces with a first attachment including vacuuming all horizontal surfaces that are above shoulder height of the first team member before or after vacuuming the floor area with a second attachment, the vacuuming of the floor beginning at a door to the patient room and continuing systematically around the patient room until returning to the door;

and second and third cleaning team members performing the steps of;

(d) disinfecting the surfaces that a patient may contact with a first microfiber cloth soaked in a disinfectant solution;

(e) cleaning at least one bathroom fixture with a second microfiber cloth soaked in the disinfectant solution; and

(f) mopping the floor area including the floor area of the patient restroom with a microfiber mop charged with a neutral cleaner.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) further includes vacuuming radiators and window sills.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) further includes moving objects away from the walls, vacuuming along at least one baseboard in a straight motion, and vacuuming the entire floor using sweeping motions while maintaining the vacuum hose behind the first team member.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (f) further includes mopping beginning at a far corner opposite a door of the patient room, mopping in a straight line along at least one baseboard, and mopping the floor area in a back and forth motion from the far corner toward the door.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first attachment includes a dust brush.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second attachment includes a floor tool.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the vacuum hose is crushproof.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaning apparatus includes noise dampening system that uses suction to pull noise generated from a vacuum motor back into the motor.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the cleaning cart further includes a body with sound insulation.