Housekeeping and the Operating Room

Abstract

FROM THE MIDDLE Of the nineteenth century until the second world war there was a steady improvement in methods of hospital cleaning. During this period of improving technique, the responsibility rested with the nursing department. Now in many hospitals the housekeeping department is responsible. The gradual shifting of cleaning responsibilities from nursing to housekeeping has been logical for at least two reasons: Nursing no longer has the numerical strength nor should nursing time be used for cleaning chores, and housekeeping is improving in quality. With 40 cents of each maintenance dollar going for cleaning, we are operating a business large enough to justify our demands for higher standards. We believe we are reaching a point where we can statistically justify upgrading the pay and production of housekeeping personnel. The realization that we must recover lost ground in our return to rigid aseptic techniques caught us all with some weak spots in our defense. Our response was typical. We turned to our nursing department and more directly to the operating room supervisor for advice. It was soon apparent that the problem required the cooperation of the entire hospital staff. Thus the committee for the control of infection came into being. The committee was designed for one specific purpose, but the opportunity to compare notes and improve interdepartmental relations has become a byproduct. One of the early results of our review of common problems was to realign our assignment of duties. We adopted the simple policy of assigning duties to those who could do them best. Thus the transporting of drugs was transferred from housekeeping to pharmacy. The washing of beds and the changing of curtains passed from nursing to housekeeping. Housekeeping relieved the operating room orderlies from duties in the incinerator room, and of many similar tasks.