Steam Cleaning in Healthcare – Applications, Benefits, and Regulatory Alignment
Maintaining impeccable cleanliness in healthcare facilities is critical to ensuring patient safety and preventing healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). Facility managers in Canada face unique challenges in balancing stringent hygiene standards with environmental sustainability. Commercial steam cleaning offers a transformative solution, leveraging high-temperature steam technology to deliver chemical-free sanitization. This blog explores the applications, benefits, and regulatory alignment of steam cleaning in healthcare environments. Steam cleaning technology has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional chemical-based cleaning methods, which often involve the use of harsh disinfectants that can pose risks to both patients and the environment (Steinberg et al., 2013). Steam cleaning offers a multifaceted approach to disinfection and sterilization within healthcare environments, proving efficacious against a wide array of pathogens while mitigating the risks associated with chemical disinfectants (Rutala & Weber, 2008).
The Urgency of Infection Prevention
Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are a significant concern globally, with millions of cases reported annually. In Canada, facility managers must address these risks while adhering to strict regulations and maintaining operational efficiency. Steam cleaning has emerged as a powerful tool for infection prevention, providing a chemical-free method to eliminate pathogens effectively. The emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms has further complicated the landscape of infection prevention, necessitating innovative approaches that minimize reliance on traditional antimicrobials (Haque et al., 2020). Given the ability of pathogens to endure within healthcare settings for extended durations, the imperative for thorough environmental hygiene cannot be overstated (Chemaly et al., 2014; Dancer, 2014). Soft surfaces in healthcare settings, notably fabrics, harbor pathogens and facilitate their transfer to human skin (Nicoloro‐SantaBarbara et al., 2020).
Core Advantages of Steam Cleaning
Pathogen Elimination and Patient Safety
Steam cleaning is highly effective against bacteria, viruses, and multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) such as MRSA and Clostridioides difficile. Studies have demonstrated that high-temperature steam can achieve up to 99.9999% efficacy in eliminating pathogens, making it an ideal choice for healthcare settings. Unlike traditional methods that rely on harsh chemicals, steam penetrates crevices and porous surfaces, ensuring thorough disinfection even in hard-to-reach areas. Steam cleaning’s efficacy stems from its ability to disrupt microbial cell walls and denature proteins, leading to rapid and complete pathogen inactivation (Chemaly et al., 2014). The versatility of steam cleaning equipment allows for targeted application in various areas, from patient rooms and operating theaters to communal areas and restrooms.
Compliance with Canadian Healthcare Standards
Steam cleaning aligns with Health Canada’s emphasis on reducing toxic exposures in healthcare environments. The chemical-free process eliminates the risk of harmful residues that could affect patients or staff. Additionally, the documented sterilization capabilities of steam cleaning meet accreditation requirements for operating rooms and other high-risk zones, ensuring compliance with national hygiene standards. By employing steam cleaning, healthcare facilities can proactively address the threat of healthcare-associated infections and create safer environments for patients and staff.
Cost and Operational Efficiency
Steam cleaning offers significant cost savings compared to chemical-based methods. By reducing the need for multiple cleaning products and minimizing water usage, healthcare facilities can lower operational expenses while maintaining high cleanliness standards. Furthermore, steam cleaning is faster than traditional methods, enabling staff to complete tasks more efficiently and focus on other critical responsibilities. In addition, steam cleaning requires minimal training, making it easy to integrate into existing cleaning protocols.
Key Application Areas in Healthcare Facilities
Operating Rooms and ICUs
Operating rooms and intensive care units require meticulous sanitization to prevent infections during surgeries and critical care procedures. Steam cleaning is particularly effective in these environments due to its ability to sterilize surgical instruments, stainless steel surfaces, and ventilator components without leaving chemical residues.
Patient Rooms and High-Touch Surfaces
High-touch surfaces such as bedrails, IV poles, door handles, and light switches are common sources of cross-contamination. Steam cleaning provides daily sanitization for these areas while being safe for sensitive medical equipment and textiles like curtains and upholstery.
Waiting Areas and Hallways
Healthcare facilities often struggle to maintain cleanliness in high-traffic areas such as waiting rooms and hallways. Steam cleaning is an ideal solution for deep-cleaning carpets, furniture, and other surfaces without introducing odours or chemical residues that could compromise patient comfort or safety.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Steam cleaning supports Canada’s Green Healthcare Initiative by eliminating chemical waste and reducing water consumption. Traditional disinfectants contribute to environmental pollution through packaging waste and residual chemicals entering water systems. In contrast, steam cleaning uses only heat and water vapour, making it a sustainable choice for healthcare facilities committed to environmental stewardship.
Revolutionizing Healthcare Cleaning
Commercial steam cleaning represents a paradigm shift in healthcare hygiene practices by offering a chemical-free, efficient, and environmentally friendly solution. Facility managers in Canadian healthcare settings can leverage this technology to enhance patient safety, comply with national standards, reduce operational costs, and contribute to sustainability goals. As infection prevention continues to be a top priority, steam cleaning provides an innovative approach that meets the demands of modern healthcare environments. Manual cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces can reduce the bioburden of multidrug-resistant organisms, interrupting the transmission pathway (Rock et al., 2021). The procedure involves physical friction of surfaces to remove both organic and inorganic materials, as well as the use of a disinfectant solution, combined with monitoring strategies to ensure proper hygiene procedures (Fernandes et al., 2020; Gupta et al., 2016). Steam cleaning represents a crucial advancement in ensuring patient safety and maintaining hygiene standards within healthcare facilities (Haque et al., 2020) (Yiek et al., 2021) (Boyce, 2016) (Otter et al., 2013). By adopting steam cleaning technologies, Canadian facility managers can meet stringent regulatory requirements and enhance the overall quality of care, ultimately promoting a healthier environment for patients and healthcare professionals alike.
References
Boyce, J. M. (2016). Modern technologies for improving cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces in hospitals [Review of Modern technologies for improving cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces in hospitals]. Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control, 5(1). BioMed Central. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13756-016-0111-x
Chemaly, R. F., Simmons, S., Dale, C., Ghantoji, S. S., Rodriguez, M., Gubb, J., Stachowiak, J., & Stibich, M. (2014). The role of the healthcare environment in the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms: update on current best practices for containment [Review of The role of the healthcare environment in the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms: update on current best practices for containment]. Therapeutic Advances in Infectious Disease, 2, 79. SAGE Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1177/2049936114543287
Dancer, S. J. (2014). Controlling Hospital-Acquired Infection: Focus on the Role of the Environment and New Technologies for Decontamination [Review of Controlling Hospital-Acquired Infection: Focus on the Role of the Environment and New Technologies for Decontamination]. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 27(4), 665. American Society for Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.1128/cmr.00020-14
Fernandes, L. F., Souza, G. Á. A. D., Almeida, A. C. de, Cardoso, L. F., Xavier, M. A. de S., Pinheiro, T. P. P., Cruz, G. H. S. da, Dourado, H. F. S., Silva, W. S., & Xavier, A. R. E. de O. (2020). Identification and characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. isolated from surfaces near patients in an intensive care unit of a hospital in southeastern Brazil. Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical, 53. https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0244-2020
Gupta, R., Hannon, E., Huprikar, S., Bassily‐Marcus, A., Manasia, A., Oropello, J., & Kohli‐Seth, R. (2016). Getting to zero: Reduction in the incidence of multidrug-resistant organism infections using an integrated infection control protocol in an intensive care unit. American Journal of Infection Control, 44(12), 1695. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2016.07.003
Haque, M., McKimm, J., Sartelli, M., Dhingra, S., Labricciosa, F. M., Islam, S., Jahan, D., Nusrat, T., Chowdhury, T. S., Coccolini, F., Iskandar, K., Catena, F., & Charan, J. (2020). <p>Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections: A Narrative Overview</p> [Review of <p>Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections: A Narrative Overview</p>]. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 1765. Dove Medical Press. https://doi.org/10.2147/rmhp.s269315
Nicoloro‐SantaBarbara, J., Wen, J., Queiroz, S., Sun, Y., & Goodyear, N. (2020). A novel comprehensive efficacy test for textiles intended for use in the healthcare setting. Journal of Microbiological Methods, 173, 105937. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mimet.2020.105937
Otter, J. A., Yezli, S., Salkeld, J. A. G., & French, G. L. (2013). Evidence that contaminated surfaces contribute to the transmission of hospital pathogens and an overview of strategies to address contaminated surfaces in hospital settings [Review of Evidence that contaminated surfaces contribute to the transmission of hospital pathogens and an overview of strategies to address contaminated surfaces in hospital settings]. American Journal of Infection Control, 41(5). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2012.12.004
Rock, C., Hsu, Y. J., Curless, M. S., Carroll, K. C., Howard, T., Carson, K. A., Cummings, S., Anderson, M. J., Milstone, A. M., & Maragakis, L. L. (2021). Ultraviolet-C Light Evaluation as Adjunct Disinfection to Remove Multidrug-Resistant Organisms. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 75(1), 35. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciab896
Rutala, W. A., & Weber, D. J. (2008). Guideline for disinfection and sterilization in healthcare facilities, 2008. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 18, 240. http://bpssoutheast.com/content-dir/docs/enviroment-healthcare/CDC-Guideline-for-Disinfection-and-Sterlization-in-Healthcare-facilities-2008.pdf
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FAQs on Steam Cleaning in Healthcare
1. What is steam cleaning, and how does it work in healthcare environments?
Steam cleaning uses high-temperature steam to disinfect and sterilize surfaces, effectively eliminating pathogens without chemicals. The heat from steam disrupts microbial cell walls and denatures proteins, ensuring thorough sanitization.
2. Can steam cleaning eliminate multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs)?
Yes, steam cleaning is highly effective against MDROs such as MRSA and Clostridioides difficile, achieving up to 99.9999% pathogen elimination.
3. How does steam cleaning align with Canadian healthcare standards?
Steam cleaning supports Health Canada’s standards by reducing toxic chemical exposure and meeting national accreditation requirements for sterilization in operating rooms and high-risk areas.
4. What are the cost benefits of using steam cleaning in healthcare facilities?
Steam cleaning reduces operational costs by minimizing the use of multiple chemical cleaning agents and decreasing water usage, along with saving staff time through faster cleaning processes.
5. Where in healthcare facilities is steam cleaning most beneficial?
Steam cleaning is particularly beneficial in operating rooms, intensive care units, patient rooms, high-touch surfaces, waiting areas, and hallways due to its effective and residue-free sanitization.
6. Is steam cleaning environmentally sustainable?
Yes, steam cleaning contributes to environmental sustainability by eliminating chemical waste and significantly reducing water consumption, aligning with Canada’s Green Healthcare Initiative.
7. Can steam cleaning be safely used around sensitive medical equipment?
Yes, steam cleaning is safe and effective for sanitizing sensitive medical equipment, textiles, and delicate surfaces without leaving harmful chemical residues.
8. How does steam cleaning help in preventing healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs)?
Steam cleaning removes pathogens from high-touch and soft surfaces effectively, reducing the bioburden of harmful organisms and interrupting transmission pathways, thereby decreasing the risk of HCAIs.
9. What kind of training is required for facility staff to use steam cleaning equipment?
Steam cleaning requires minimal training and can easily be integrated into existing cleaning protocols, allowing facility staff to adopt the technology quickly and efficiently.
10. How does steam cleaning differ from traditional chemical-based cleaning methods?Unlike traditional methods that rely on harsh disinfectants, steam cleaning uses only heat and water vapour, providing thorough sanitization without risks of chemical residues, environmental pollution, or adverse health effects.