CHAPTER 7 (addition) Hygiene Objective: examining how to ensure hygiene in the hotel through efficient housekeeping operations

Hygiene The consideration of infection control and the development of a hygiene policy should be an important part of the housekeeping department. The first step in infection control plan is; to identify areas of potential risk to examine the infection cycle to consider control measures

The Infection Cycle The infection cycle consists of; a source a link or intermediate a potential victim The aim is; to break the link to prevent the occurrence of infection to remove the source to prevent a source to be born

Sources and Carriers of Infection Sources; food infected at the source vermin, pets and animals human beings (who may carry a germ even unknowingly, may be suffering from an infection, may have an open or infected wound or may the carriers of AIDS and Hepatitis B)

Carriers; food contaminated during preparation human pick up injection on hands or feet clothing and bedding towels soap surfaces contaminated by hand, blood, vomit air water (showers, eg Legionnaires’ disease)

The Role of Cleaning Effective cleaning is helpful in breaking the infection cycle. On the other hand, the following increase the infection risk by increasing bacteria levels or becoming the source or the link in the infection cycle; infrequent cleaning use of unhygienic methods use of contaminated equipment and cleaning solutions contaminated staff

Spread of Infection Infection can be spread through the cleaning process in the following ways: use of dirty or contaminated mops, dusters, buckets, floor machines dirty or contaminated water inefficient filters on suction (vacuum) cleaners blowing contaminated air back into the atmosphere dry cleaning methods which scatter dust as sweeping, dry mopping, dry dusting dirty or contaminated towels poor waste disposal methods eg uncovered containers

emptying suction cleaners, waste bins carelessly so rescattering dust   transferring equipment from one are to another Infection can also be spread through domestic or housekeeping personnel; through lack of personal hygiene eg nor washing hands after using the toilet not washing hands after completing a “dirty” task on personal clothing on uniforms and protective clothing if suffering from coughs, colds, infections, skin lesions washing hands in sink over crockery smoking, scratching and other “bad” habits

Chemical Disinfectants Disinfection may be achieved by; the use of heat, which is the most reliable method but is limited in cleaning except in laundry and dish washing chemical disinfectants, which are dangerous to the user and the surface, that is why, they must be used correctly; for the intended purpose at the correct dilution rate for the specified length of time at the correct temperature generally after cleaning freshly used never mix with soaps or detergents as both agents may be neutralised

Waste Disposal The waste disposal system involves; collecting up the waste holding it in suitable containers moving it into a central collection point arranging for its final removal Waste products; create fire start to smell attract pests and vermin therefore, the aim is to dispose waste in a hygienic manner.

Waste Collection In order to have a satisfactory collection and disposal system; first; analyse the type of waste eg. Kitchen waste, paper waste, sharps etc because each type of waste may require different collection, storage and disposal arrangement second; arrange different coloured and types of containers for different types of waste third; consider recycling and environmental issues fourth; consider to have adequate provision of receptacles in sanitary areas

Legionella Pneumophila Legionella Pneumophila is a kind of illness caused by a bacteria. First reported in 1976 at the Bellevue- Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia where 34 people died. Also seen in 1985 at the Hilton Airport Inn in Michigan where 3 people died and 27 became ill and in Holiday Inn Hotel in Wisconsin where 4 died and 20 became ill. Moreover, reported in Turkey in Festival Hotel in Istanbul in 1997.

Symptoms consist of fever, chills, headache, muscular aches and pains. Often include cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, mental confusion, vomiting, and diarrhea lasting days. Occasionally damage liver and kidneys. The main attack on the human body is through lungs.

Research shows that the wide-spread presence of the organisms (Legionella) in the environment is found in water sources. This includes ; cooling towers evaporative condensers air conditioning units potable water supplies creek mud, lakes and streams.   Places that contain high moisture level (e.g. Shower heads, shower curtains, filters in air conditioning system…) helps the Legionella Pneumophila to multiple rapidly and then it transport via the air.

As managers, in order to secure our property, we should; check the locations of our amplifying units (eg water cooling towers) and try to make that they are not located in a position that makes it possible for the fluent air from the amplifier to become a part of the make up air for the building. a good filtration system for the incoming air would also help in preventing the Legionella before they enter the building’s air distribution system throughout the building.

periodically check the amplifying units and use the recommended chemical treatments. fequently clean the shower heads, shower curtains, and filters in air conditioning systems.