Are Hospitals Using the Right Cleaning Chemicals?

Cleanliness may appear routine in a hospital, yet it remains one of the strongest barriers against infection. Simmiy Malhotra, Vice President, British Clean, notes that the choice of cleaning chemicals and the discipline with which hygiene protocols are followed decide how safe a healthcare environment truly is. Each area in a hospital has its own risk profile and therefore its own chemical and cleaning requirements. Alongside this, several hygiene gaps continue to be overlooked in both private and government facilities.

Hospitals require two types of information when setting hygiene standards. One relates to the chemicals used in different clinical areas and the other to the hygiene practices that are often overlooked.

Critical care – ICU, OTs, labs, high risk areas

The cleaning solutions must have the ability to:

• Act as high level disinfectants effective against resistant pathogens, viruses and bacteria
• Deliver rapid action and broad-spectrum efficacy within short contact times
• Be non-corrosive and residue free to protect sensitive equipment
• Have low toxicity to avoid respiratory irritation in enclosed spaces
• Offer antifungal and antimicrobial protection

General areas – wards, rooms, public spaces

• Use intermediate level disinfectants that balance efficacy and safety
• Be safe for frequent use on varied surfaces including floors, furniture and walls
• Have mild odour and low VOCs for patient comfort
• Maintain a neutral pH to avoid surface damage due to regular use

Sanitation areas – toilets, utility and waste disposal areas

• Use strong disinfectants with proven efficacy against faecal oral pathogens
• Include deodorising agents to control odour
• Be surface safe yet powerful enough to remove biofilms and grime
• Have anti scaling properties

Generally, chemicals must have low toxicity, be biodegradable, have a stable shelf life and be approved by the correct regulatory authority for the purpose.

Areas of hygiene and upkeep that are often overlooked or ignored

1.   Inadequate hand hygiene compliance

• Despite being the most basic infection control measure, hand hygiene is frequently neglected, especially during high workload periods
• Lack of hand sanitisers at point of care or poor staff adherence is common

2.   Improper cleaning of high touch surfaces

• Bed rails, IV poles, switches, elevator buttons, staircase rails and door handles are often missed or insufficiently cleaned
• Cleaning staff may not be trained to prioritise these areas or follow correct contact times for disinfectants

3.   Lack of zoning and colour coding

• Failure to implement colour coded tools for different areas leads to cross contamination
• Zoning is often poorly enforced, especially in government hospitals

4.   Infrequent deep cleaning

• Curtains, mattresses, air vents and ceilings are often cleaned late or skipped, especially in general wards
• Budget constraints or staff shortages worsen this issue

5.   Improper waste segregation

• Biomedical waste is sometimes mixed with general waste or disposed of incorrectly
• Colour coded bins may be missing, mislabelled or ignored, particularly in smaller private facilities

6.   Lack of cleaning audits and feedback

• Regular monitoring, auditing and feedback systems are often absent or weak
• Without accountability, cleaning protocols become inconsistent across shifts and departments

7.   Undertrained housekeeping staff

• Many cleaning staff lack formal training in infection control and safe chemical handling
• High attrition and outsourcing contribute to fluctuating standards

8.   Neglect of non clinical areas

• Waiting rooms, administrative offices and staff lounges are often excluded from routine disinfection
• These areas can still harbour pathogens and contribute to indirect transmission

9.   Inadequate ventilation and air filtration

• Poor maintenance of HVAC systems and absence of HEPA filters, including in vacuum cleaners in critical areas, increase airborne transmission risks
• This is especially problematic in older government facilities with outdated infrastructure

There are also instances of severe cross contamination when patient care teams double up for housekeeping due to insensitivity and cost cutting in private hospitals. Storage areas for cleaning materials, tools and equipment must be sufficient and kept away from general spaces.

Investments are needed in negative pressure rooms, automated disinfection systems and efficient trolley systems to ensure smooth operations. Housekeeping material disbursement areas must be segregated to avoid contamination. Staff should not wear uniforms home or return with them as this introduces contamination from multiple sources. Ambulances must be cleaned like controlled rooms after every use.

Hospitals can achieve higher safety standards when the right chemicals are used with discipline and when overlooked hygiene gaps are addressed with intent. Strengthening these basics creates a safer and more reliable healing environment for every patient who enters through the door.