How can you avoid common environmental services leadership mistakes?
Environmental services (ES) leaders play a vital role in ensuring the cleanliness, safety, and quality of healthcare facilities. However, they also face many challenges and risks, such as staff turnover, infection control, regulatory compliance, budget constraints, and stakeholder expectations. To avoid common ES leadership mistakes, here are some tips to help you improve your skills and performance.
Communication is key for any leader, but especially for ES leaders who need to coordinate with multiple departments, vendors, and customers. You should communicate your goals, expectations, feedback, and recognition to your staff regularly and in various ways, such as meetings, emails, newsletters, and posters. You should also listen to their concerns, suggestions, and complaints, and respond promptly and respectfully. Additionally, you should communicate with other leaders and stakeholders, such as nurses, physicians, administrators, and regulators, to build trust, rapport, and collaboration.
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It is well documented that a facility with sufficient Infection Preventionists on staff have better HAI rates. Now consider this: having a fully supported EVS department in which the FTEs are not based on the square footage of the hospital but the number of beds, critical care, medical, surgical as well as the number of invasive procedural areas, with the number of discharges/transfers etc are considered. Productivity measurements are important but a thoroughly cleaned and disinfected discharged patient room, an OR turnover or end of day process takes precedence.
Your staff are your most valuable asset, so you should invest in their training and development. You should provide them with the necessary tools, equipment, and resources to perform their duties effectively and safely. You should also offer them opportunities to learn new skills, advance their careers, and earn certifications. Moreover, you should empower your staff to make decisions, solve problems, and suggest improvements. By doing so, you will increase their engagement, motivation, and retention.
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When training, do not assume everyone knows how to use a piece of equipment. For example, at home many utilize a push-pull method for the mop or broom. However, when using a microfiber broom or mop it should be used in a side to side motion which allows for gathering of debris. The proper use of tools, mixing of chemicals to the correct concentration and the application of chemicals is crucial in the health care setting to effectively remediate possible contamination Help the team to set goals and high standards of excellence such as 50% of the team will be CHESP certified by end of year. Add in key education to support reaching the goal. Make it fun!!!
As an ES leader, you are responsible for ensuring that your processes are efficient, effective, and compliant. You should monitor your key performance indicators (KPIs), such as productivity, quality, customer satisfaction, and infection rates, and use data to identify gaps, trends, and opportunities. You should also implement best practices, standards, and guidelines from reputable sources, such as the Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Furthermore, you should encourage a culture of continuous improvement, where you and your staff seek feedback, test new ideas, and learn from mistakes.
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Conducting validation, be it by ATP or black light w/maker or both is a beneficial performance indicator. EVS leadership can report the results to the IP & C committee and collaboration with the IP (s) can review those findings with unit (s) HAI rates. Then together, create a plan, educate and if needed . Remember Environmental Hygiene takes a village - it isn't just EVS responsibility to clean and disinfect.
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All of the team should take part in the KPI initiatives. This will empower them to identify challenges and seek solutions instead of being a bystander waiting for the proverbial “shoe to drop” Encourage team building exercises which can enhance communication, working collaboratively, and pride in work efforts
ES leaders often have to juggle multiple tasks, deadlines, and demands, which can lead to stress and burnout. You should manage your time and stress by prioritizing your tasks, delegating responsibilities, setting boundaries, and asking for help when needed. You should also balance your work and personal life, and take care of your physical and mental health. You should practice healthy habits, such as eating well, exercising, sleeping, and relaxing. Additionally, you should seek support from your peers, mentors, or coaches, who can offer you advice, guidance, and encouragement.
Finally, as an ES leader, you should lead by example. You should demonstrate the values, behaviors, and attitudes that you expect from your staff. You should be respectful, ethical, accountable, and professional. You should also be positive, enthusiastic, and supportive. By leading by example, you will inspire your staff to follow your lead, respect your authority, and trust your decisions.
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Part of leading by example includes removing barriers and labels which can create unfavorable outlook on these key individuals. I believe we should have unique titles for these key stakeholders which demonstrates their importance to the healthcare team. An example of a title might include “infection prevention champion “, “patient safety master”, etc. the use of terms such as housekeepers can have a derogatory connotation and leave staff feeling devalued.
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