Last updated on 6/14/22 | First published on 11/29/18 | Literature review current through Mar. 2024
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Authors:
Jeff Mize RRT, CHT, UHMSADS,
Tiffany Hamm BSN, RN, CWS, ACHRN, UHMSADS,
more...
Coauthor(s)
Jeff Mize, RRT, CHT, UHMSADS
Disclosures: Nothing to disclose
Tiffany Hamm, BSN, RN, CWS, ACHRN, UHMSADS
Chief Nursing Officer, Wound Reference, IncDisclosures: Nothing to disclose
Editors
HOUSEKEEPING TRAINING REQUIREMENTS IN THE HBO DEPARTMENT
While the NFPA 99 2018 chapter 14 and the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) Accreditation probes HBOM 4.12 and 4.12.1 mandates the training, practical experience has proven that structured, recurrent and documented training for the housekeeping team is time well spent.
The responsibility of ongoing training and ensuring competency for clinicians and the housekeeping team can be challenging. Staff turnover, vacations, busy clinic schedules and the lack of desire to have "another meeting" are common obstacles. None of which, however, are acceptable excuses to avoid the performance of competency training. As we have seen on a blog article, Quality of Care Requires Ongoing Competency Evaluations, regularly scheduled training should be documented for all environmental service personnel, including the housekeeping team, and maintained in a Safety Training notebook in the hyperbaric facility.
The NFPA 99 2018 addition gives us further guidance regarding the required training for the housekeeping personnel. According to the NFPA 99, 14.3.4.7.1 [1] :
The persons assigned to the task of housekeeping shall be trained in the following:
- Potential damage to the equipment from cleaning procedures
- Potential personal injury
- Specific cleaning procedures
- Equipment NOT to be cleaned
- Housekeeping personnel and the HBO Safety Director will complete the Environmental Service Training Form upon completion of training and conduct annual training.
NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION (NFPA) REQUIREMENTS
Besides meeting housekeeping requirements to prevent workplace hazards established by OSHA, hyperbaric facilities must comply with the 2012 NFPA 99 requirements.
The NFPA 99 Chapter 14 -14.3.4.7 states that "A housekeeping program shall be implemented whether or not the facility is in regular use." [1] A.14.3.4.7 provides some clarity to 14.3.4.7 "It is absolutely essential that all areas of, and components associated with, the hyperbaric chamber be kept meticulously free of grease, lint, dirt, and dust."
WORKPLACE HAZARDS
According to the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), workplace hazards in a healthcare facility include exposure of employee or housekeeping staff to:
- Blood or other potentially infectious materials
- Contaminated equipment or laundry
- Contaminated sharps and containers
- Hazardous chemicals
- Wet floors, and possible slips, trips, and falls
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