Work habits of environmental services professionals as well as their perceptions of their profession are topics of studies described in a research roundup on the Infection Control Today website.
For instance, development of guideline recommendations for cleaning and disinfection could improve practices and set minimum standards worldwide, according to a 30-question survey to evaluate differences in healthcare facility cleaning practices around the world.
Ninety-six percent of the facilities surveyed had a written cleaning policy for clinical areas and 82 percent had a policy for shared clinical equipment.
Another study looked at environmental services professionals' perceptions and knowledge of environmental cleaning. Most respondents believe that environmental cleaning is important for infection prevention. They are also open to having regular classes on cleaning, the survey said.