/ en Tue, 22 Oct 2024 21:23:33 -0500 Tue, 13 Sep 22 15:19:16 -0500 /tip-sheet-cleaning-and-disinfecting-perioperative-suite <p>The content of this tip sheet was written by faculty from the AHE's Certificate for Surgical Cleaning Technicians Program (CSCT), a train-the-trainer certification for EVS managers responsible for disinfecting operating rooms and surgical suites.</p> Tue, 13 Sep 2022 15:19:16 -0500 Environmental Hygiene /education-events/certified-health-care-environmental-services-technician-fall-2021-virtual-train <p>Using the train-the-trainer model, the Certified Health Care Environmental Services Technician (CHEST) designation sets national standards specifically for environmental services technicians working in health care. The CHEST curriculum is based on seven content domains that were identified as part of a robust and comprehensive national job and task analysis of health care environmental services frontline staff. A substantial amount of content will be covered; we expect that each day of the workshop will take a full 8 hours.</p> <h3>Tuesday through Thursday, September 14-16, 2021<br /> 8:30am through 4:00pm Central</h3> <h4>Registration & Participation Process </h4> <ul> <li>Must pre-register and pay before August 25, 2021.</li> <li>Registration closes 11:59pm Central, August 25, 2021.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Attendance Policy:</strong> Because you are being designated as a trainer of the CHEST program, it is important that you attend all 24 hours of training. Attendance will be taken; full participation is required.</p> Mon, 07 Dec 2020 14:04:29 -0600 Environmental Hygiene /education-events/certified-health-care-environmental-services-technician-late-summer-2021-virtual <p><strong>This event is sold out</strong><br /> Using the train-the-trainer model, the Certified Health Care Environmental Services Technician (CHEST) designation sets national standards specifically for environmental services technicians working in health care. The CHEST curriculum is based on seven content domains that were identified as part of a robust and comprehensive national job and task analysis of health care environmental services frontline staff. A substantial amount of content will be covered; we expect that each day of the workshop will take a full 8 hours.</p> <h3>Tuesday through Thursday, August 3-5, 2021<br /> 8:30am through 4:00pm Central</h3> <h4>Registration & Participation Process </h4> <ul> <li>Must pre-register and pay before July 13, 2021.</li> <li>Registration closes 11:59pm Central, July 13, 2021.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Attendance Policy:</strong> Because you are being designated as a trainer of the CHEST program, it is important that you attend all 24 hours of training. Attendance will be taken; full participation is required.</p> Mon, 07 Dec 2020 13:58:29 -0600 Environmental Hygiene /education-events/certified-health-care-environmental-services-technician-summer-2021-virtual-train <p>Using the train-the-trainer model, the Certified Health Care Environmental Services Technician (CHEST) designation sets national standards specifically for environmental services technicians working in health care. The CHEST curriculum is based on seven content domains that were identified as part of a robust and comprehensive national job and task analysis of health care environmental services frontline staff. A substantial amount of content will be covered; we expect that each day of the workshop will take a full 8 hours.</p> <h3>Tuesday through Thursday, June 8-10, 2021<br /> 8:30am through 4:00pm Central</h3> <h4>Registration & Participation Process </h4> <ul> <li>Must pre-register and pay before May 18, 2021.</li> <li>Registration closes 11:59pm Central, May 18, 2021.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Attendance Policy:</strong> Because you are being designated as a trainer of the CHEST program, it is important that you attend all 24 hours of training. Attendance will be taken; full participation is required.</p> Mon, 07 Dec 2020 13:46:53 -0600 Environmental Hygiene /education-events/certified-health-care-environmental-services-technician-spring-2021-virtual-train <p>Using the train-the-trainer model, the Certified Health Care Environmental Services Technician (CHEST) designation sets national standards specifically for environmental services technicians working in health care. The CHEST curriculum is based on seven content domains that were identified as part of a robust and comprehensive national job and task analysis of health care environmental services frontline staff. A substantial amount of content will be covered; we expect that each day of the workshop will take a full 8 hours.</p> <h3>Tuesday through Thursday, April 13-15, 2021<br /> 8:30am through 4:00pm Central</h3> <h4>Registration & Participation Process </h4> <ul> <li>Must pre-register and pay before March 24, 2021.</li> <li>Registration closes 11:59pm Central, March 24, 2021.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Attendance Policy:</strong> Because you are being designated as a trainer of the CHEST program, it is important that you attend all 24 hours of training. Attendance will be taken; full participation is required.</p> Mon, 07 Dec 2020 13:25:03 -0600 Environmental Hygiene /education-events/relentlessly-positive-part-1 <h3>Cintas CHESP Leadership Webinar Series</h3> <p>During these times of unprecedented change, challenge, and uncertainty, it is easy to slip into a negative mindset and let fear, frustration, and anxiety take hold.  The secret to thriving in such difficult times is choosing to be Relentlessly Positive.  Relentless positivity is not about putting a false smile on your face or being cheerful on the outside while struggling on the inside.  Relentless Positivity is about genuine attitude adjustment in the face of difficulty. </p> <p class="text-align-center"></p> <p><strong>Continued Education Credits</strong></p> <p>CHESPs, and others looking to earn CEs are encouraged to participate.</p> <p> </p> <hr> <h3>Speaker</h3> <p><img alt="Pamela Jett" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cd276c61-6957-4609-ac1c-12875806a5e9" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Jett_p_sm.png" width="500" height="500"></p> <p><strong>Pamela Jett</strong></p> <p>Pamela Jett, CSP, is an internationally recognized presenter and author on developing leadership skills and improving workplace relationships. Her background includes: working with clientele ranging from the high-tech sector and manufacturing to women's groups and government agencies; using her programs to take participants beyond theory to hands-on application for immediate results; serving clients such as Lockheed Martin, Allstate Insurance, Sony, The United Way, NASA, Waste Management plus many other notable organizations and developing several learning programs including Communicate with Confidence, Credibility and Influence and Mind Your Own Business: A Career Management System.<br>  </p> Wed, 07 Oct 2020 13:25:22 -0500 Environmental Hygiene /education-events/certificate-non-acute-care-cleaning-train-trainer-workshop-cnacc <h3><strong>Introductory pricing for 2020 is offered.  </strong></h3> <h3>Registration closes November 20th at 11:59pm Central.</h3> <p>The Certificate in Non-acute Care Cleaning offers front-line cleaning and disinfection workers/technicians a thorough educational opportunity on cleaning in the healthcare environment outside of acute care settings. This includes areas such as outpatient, long-term care and behavioral health facilities, and other situations, such as construction cleaning. </p> <p>Participants will get a solid foundation in infection prevention and control, including proper cleaning procedures and proper selection and use of cleaning and disinfecting agents. The full list of topics includes:</p> <p>•    Infection Prevention<br /> •    Interactions with Supervisors and Other Staff<br /> •    Chemicals, Equipment, and Supplies<br /> •    Outpatient Areas<br /> •    Construction <br /> •    Long-term Care<br /> •    Behavioral Health Areas<br /> •    Additional Topics such Cleaning in COVID-19 testing sites, field hospitals, etc.<br />  </p> <p> </p> Thu, 24 Sep 2020 12:16:31 -0500 Environmental Hygiene /education-events/rescheduled-covid-19-challenges-health-care-environmental-services-open-forum-part <p><strong>Back by popular demand</strong>, 91°µÍøºÚÁÏis hosting its 3rd COVID-19 open forum this year. Join your health care EVS peers to discuss the various approaches and innovative solutions you are taking to combat COVID-19 challenges. Whether you're in a state that is advancing to the next phase of reopening, or a state that is rolling back to the previous phase, we all have something to share or learn from one another.</p> <p><em>Note: Central Time Zone</em></p> <h3>Panelists</h3> <p><img alt="Becerril_C_20_headshot.png " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4731c95e-80ed-4962-958f-1c2e11e2997a" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Becerril_C_20_headshot.png" width="200" height="200"></p> <p>Connie Becerril <br> Quality Improvement Manager <br> University of Utah Health</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="Hank Headshot 2019 v2.png " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2d6e935e-8c81-46a4-afc0-ee42c25b7057" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Hank%20Headshot%202019%20v2.png" width="200" height="183"></p> <p>Hank Carbone, MS<br> Marketing Director-Products Segments  <br> Ecolab</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt=" Magnes_B_headshot_20.png " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="920b62ee-b244-4bbb-a559-e9306bbda5b6" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Magnes_B_headshot_20.png" width="200" height="200"></p> <p>Bonifay Magnes<br> Director Environmental Services<br> Southeast Health</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt=" Siedschlag_R_20_headshot.jpg " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="707c5162-9cf1-4590-b7a7-7af4ac360e59" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Siedschlag_R_20_headshot.jpg" width="200" height="200"></p> <p>Rusty Siedschlag<br> Environmental Services Manager <br> Children's National Hospital</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> Mon, 03 Aug 2020 11:31:10 -0500 Environmental Hygiene /covid-19-resources-evs-professionals <div class="panel panel-default"> <div class="panel-heading" id="heading1" role="tab"> <h5 class="panel-title"><a aria-controls="item1" aria-expanded="false" class="collapsed" data-parent="#accordion" data-target="#example1" data-toggle="collapse" role="button">Page Updates <strong>+</strong></a></h5> </div> <div aria-expanded="false" aria-labelledby="heading1" class="panel-collapse collapse" id="example1" role="tabpanel"> <div class="panel-body"> <div> <p><strong>Last Updated</strong> 3/23/2020 | COVID-19 Update with resource links.</p> </div> <div> <p><strong>Updated</strong> 2/20/2020 | Updated Advisory 91°µÍøºÚÁÏ2019 Novel Coronavirus released.</p> </div> <div> <p><strong>Updated</strong> 1/29/2020 | 91°µÍøºÚÁÏ2019 Novel Coronavirus Advisory released.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="container"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-8"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6"> <p><a class="btn btn-primary btn-xs" href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/faq.html" role="button">Healthcare Professionals: FAQs</a></p> <h3><strong>Personnel & Personnel Training</strong></h3> </div> </div> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/healthcare-facilities/hcp-return-work.html">Train and educate health care personnel</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/pdfs/PPE-Sequence-508.pdf">CDC Sequence for Donning and Doffing PPE</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/respirator-use-faq.html">General FAQ’s on PPE</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/healthcare-facilities/hcp-return-work.html ">Criteria for Return to Work for Healthcare Personnel with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19 (Interim Guidance) </a> </li> </ul> <hr /> <p><a class="btn btn-primary btn-xs" href="https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2" role="button">N List Disifectants</a></p> <h3><strong>Environmental Infection Prevention</strong></h3> <ul> <li> <p><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-control/control-recommendations.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fhcp%2Finfection-control.html">Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/summary-of-IPC-guidance-P.pdf ">Protect Your Patients and Staff form COVID-19: CDC Recommended Infection Control Procedures</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-control/control-recommendations.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fhcp%2Finfection-control.html#train_educate">Implement environmental infection control</a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2 ">EPA Registered Disinfectants qualified under EPA’s emerging viral pathogens program for use against SARS-CoV-2 (List N) </a></p> </li> <li> <p><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-control/infection-prevention-control-faq.html">CDC Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control FAQs for COVID-19</a></p> </li> </ul> <hr /> <h3><strong>Staffing Strategies</strong></h3> <p><strong>Background:</strong> Stay informed about the local COVID-19 situation. Know where to turn for reliable, up-to-date information in your local community. Monitor the CDC COVID-19 website and your state and local health department websites for the latest information.</p> <ul> <li>Develop, or review, your facility’s emergency plan. A COVID-19 outbreak in your community could lead to staff absenteeism. Prepare alternative staffing plans as you would as part of your normal emergency plan to ensure as many of your facility’s staff are available as possible.</li> <li>Ensure the EVS leader is involved in any and all daily facility briefings related to COVID-19. Information provided at these briefing can help with staffing plans. </li> </ul> <p><strong>Alternative Staffing Ideas</strong></p> <ul> <li>Where facilities have postponed elective surgeries, utilization of EVS staff normally dedicated to peri-operative, ambulatory surgery or other procedural areas can be redirected to daily occupied patient rooms and discharge room cleaning.</li> <li>Revisit schedule staffing around highest discharge times.</li> <li>Decrease or eliminate office cleaning schedules and divert that workforce to support inpatient areas. Provide disinfectant wipes for the office members.</li> <li>Track all the hours used to support coverage needs related to COVID. It may come in handy especially if there is a need to provide supporting evidence on dollar impact that COIVD had on the facility. Track both labor and supply expenses related to the crisis which undoubtedly will impact budgets in a variety of ways.<br />  </li> </ul> <hr /> <h3><strong>Personal Protective Equipment</strong></h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-control/infection-prevention-control-faq.html">What personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn by environmental services (EVS) personnel who clean and disinfect rooms of hospitalized patients with COVID-19?</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/index.html">Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of PPE</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/checklist-n95-strategy.html">Checklist for Healthcare Facilities: Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95 Respirators during the COVID-19 Response</a></li> </ul> <hr /> <h3><strong>Waste Management</strong></h3> <p>The CDC has determined that medical waste generated in the treatment of COVID-19 patients and patients under investigation (PUIs) be managed in accordance with routine procedures.<br /> There are no additional packaging or transportation requirements from the Department of Transportation (DOT) for regulated medical waste or sharps.</p> <ul> <li>Facilities are responsible for packaging waste for transport to treatment facilities.</li> <li>Each bag must be hand tied by gathering and twisting the neck of the bag and using a tie or hand knot to secure the bag, and each container must be securely closed.</li> <li>Closed bags must not be visible once a secondary container such as a box or reusable tote or tub is closed.</li> </ul> <hr /> <h3 class="text-align-center"><a href="https://ams.aha.org/EWEB/?ahabu=AHE&Action=Add&ObjectKeyFrom=1A83491A-9853-4C87-86A4-F7D95601C2E2&WebCode=ProdDetailAdd&DoNotSave=yes&ParentObject=CentralizedOrderEntry&ParentDataObject=Invoice%20Detail&ivd_formkey=69202792-63d7-4ba2-bf4e-a0da41270555&ivd_prc_prd_key=0d28f09d-e60f-4bf0-b57b-8b1199c75077">Watch the Coronavirus Update—What Health Care Professionals Need to Know to Prepare for COVID-19 webinar with Dr. Michael Bell <br /> Deputy Director, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>.</h3> <p class="text-align-center">Members-only webinar. Prerecorded Wednesday, March 18 at 1 pm EST.</p> </div> <div class="col-md-4"> <div class="panel panel-default"> <div class="panel-body"> <h4>For More Resources Visit</h4> <a href="https://connect.ahe.org/home" target="_blank"><img src="/sites/default/files/2020-03/myAHE_logo.jpg" /></a> <hr /> <p><a href="https://www.aha.org/2020-01-22-updates-and-resources-novel-coronavirus-2019-cov" target="_blank"><img src="/sites/default/files/2020-03/aha-brand-full.png" /></a></p> <hr /> <p><a href="https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus" target="_blank"><img src="/sites/default/files/2020-03/EPA.jpg" /></a></p> <hr /> <p><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html" target="_blank"><img src="/sites/default/files/2020-01/cdc-update-270.jpg" /></a></p> <hr /> <p><a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019" target="_blank"><img src="/sites/default/files/2020-01/who-world-health-organization-logo-270.jpg" /></a></p> <hr /> <p><a href="https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/" target="_blank"><img src="/sites/default/files/2020-03/OSHA.jpg" /></a></p> <hr /> <p><a href="https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-issues/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19" target="_blank"><img src="/sites/default/files/2020-03/FDA_Logo_270.jpg" /></a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Thu, 19 Mar 2020 18:52:20 -0500 Environmental Hygiene /2019-recognition-awards-press-release <h1>91°µÍøºÚÁÏPresents 2019 Recognition Awards</h1> <p>September 13, 2019 | <strong>Format:</strong> News Release</p> <hr /> <p><strong>CHICAGO, September 13, 2019 </strong>– The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE), a professional membership group of the 91°µÍøºÚÁÏ, has announced the recipients of the 2019 Recognition Awards for excellence in caring for the environment, volunteer service, mentorship, environmental sustainability, and sponsorship support.</p> <p><strong>91°µÍøºÚÁÏ2019 Award Winners:</strong></p> <p>•    Phoenix Award Sponsored by Network: Gary Dolan, CHESP, The Village at Penn State, State College, Pa.</p> <p>•    Heart of Health Care Award: Stephan Vick, Northside Hospital in Atlanta</p> <p>•    Environmental Services Department of the Year Award: </p> <p>o    1-249 beds: Northside Hospital - Cherokee –T Canton, Ga.<br /> o    250-499 beds: Geisinger Community Medical Center – Scranton, Pa.<br /> o    500+ beds: Parkview Health –T Fort Wayne, Ind.</p> <p>•    Innovation Award: Ecolab’s Scrub Free Bathroom Cleaning and Disinfecting System</p> <p><strong>Sponsor Recognition:</strong><br /> 91°µÍøºÚÁÏwould like to thank Cintas for five years of dedication, support and sponsorship.</p> <p><br /> All awards were presented at 91°µÍøºÚÁÏExchange 2019 Annual Conference in San Antonio.</p> <hr /> <p><br /> <strong>91°µÍøºÚÁÏ AHE</strong><br /> The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) is a Professional Membership Group of the 91°µÍøºÚÁÏ. 91°µÍøºÚÁÏis the professional organization of choice for professionals responsible for caring for the patient and resident care environment across all care settings; including hospitals, long term care, continuing care retirement communities and ambulatory care. 91°µÍøºÚÁÏshapes professional practice, advances and promotes the profession and promotes awareness for over 2,300 professionals working to ensure a clean and safe health care environment and quality outcomes.  www.ahe.org</p> <p> </p> Fri, 13 Sep 2019 11:02:57 -0500 Environmental Hygiene