Cleaning Week Proclaimed For South Dakota For March 24 - 30, 2024
Every industry uses cleaning practices to protect South Dakotans from unwanted contact with germs. Governor Kristi Noem recognizes regular cleaning and disinfection as a health and safety investment and issued a proclamation marking the week of March 24, 2024, as Cleaning Week.
“Cleaning and disinfection are an instrumental part of infection control processes at healthcare facilities,” declared Jess Danko, MSHA, RRT, LTC-CIP, program director for the South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care (SDMFC). “Cleaning Week is a great way to recognize the important work of the environmental services in health care and across all industries for preventing infection.”
The environmental service team is at the center of preventing infection and protecting everyone who enters a healthcare facility by using strong cleaning and disinfection practices. The SDFMC is encouraging organizations to complete the Environmental Services Recognition Form and use the Cleaning Week poster and certificate to highlight the value of this workforce. A promotional toolkit from the event sponsor, the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA), also provides logos and social media messages to highlight #ICW.
“The pandemic demonstrated the essential role cleaning professionals have for keeping infection rates down," added Cheri Fast, RN, CIC, LTC-CIP, program manager working with the healthcare acquired infection program at SDFMC. "Cleaning and disinfection of surfaces, when combined with hand hygiene, reduces virus concentrations by 85.4%. Cleanliness is an everyday essential to protect every person in every home and every public space.”
Cleaning Week is an opportunity for SDFMC to continue to promote infection prevention and control best practices, promote Project Firstline training and resources, and recognize the valuable contribution of the environmental services teams for improving positive health outcomes and impacting the quality of life for all South Dakotans.