While the environmental services (ES) staff was once considered simply housekeeping, ES had begun to be recognized for infection prevention, financial administration, waste management, laundry and linen management and pest management, according to an article on the Health Facilities Management website.
Surveys identify cleanliness, appearance and safety as being key for a healthcare facility.
Still, ES technicians often get minimal consideration for staffing, investment in training, development and career path opportunities.
Allowing ES staff to explore their areas of responsibility and achieve success as they define it will result in more effective dialog and increase loyalty between ES leaders and front-line staff, the article said.