How to Plan for Campus Health Emergencies

Here are some of the lessons learned from the 2009 H1N1 pandemic scare that campus officials can apply to future planning and response processes.

A great way to help promote hand cleanliness is to create a hand sanitization program. Installing hand sanitizer dispensers in classrooms, hallways, study areas and break rooms makes it simple and convenient for students to follow through on keeping hands cleaner.

In general, promoting awareness is an effective way to curb the spread of germs. Little reminders, whether in the form of periodic E-mails or posted flyers, go a long way in the effort to reduce cold and flu outbreaks on campus.

Properly cleaned surfaces are also important. By employing a health-focused cleaning protocol or utilizing a contractor who executes hygienic cleaning procedures, a campus can help reduce the risk of disease transmission.

This strategy targets high-touch or “critical control points” that can harbor the flu and other harmful pathogens. Below are the key aspects of a health-focused cleaning system.

  • Lightweight flat mops come equipped with microfibers that are more effective than traditional mops at retaining soil, germs and matter. No-dip flat mops increase soil and germ removal and reduce the risk of cross-contamination through the use of only clean solution.
  • Hospital-grade disinfectants are strong (but safe) and kill all kinds of different germs. EPA-registered disinfectants, deployed with the proper dwell time, can reduce the risk of surface contact transmissions of influenza and other pathogens.
  • Wet wiping replaces spray and wipe procedures, a protocol that maximizes dwell time and allows the maximum germ kill. During times of outbreak or in high risk areas, cloths are immersed in disinfectant solution to further maximize kill rates.
  • Color-coded microfiber cloths are used in a single, designated area of a facility. This strategy is more effective at removing soil and germs, and reduces cross-contamination in the building.
  • No-touch spray-and-vacuum systems saturate surfaces with hospital-grade disinfectant; rinse with a high pressure stream of fresh water after proper dwell time; and recover the solution from floors with a high-power wet vacuum. The technique reduces the presence of soils and pathogens on surfaces that are tolerant to this wet cleaning process. 

Peter J. Sheldon Sr. is vice president of operations of Coverall Health-Based Cleaning System.

 

 

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