Posted by photos by Ryan Wilson
Across the country, and indeed the world, cleaning and disinfecting has become a top priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. While this has always been an important practice at the IWK as a health care facility, now more than ever, the people carrying out this important work deserve to be recognized.
The Environmental Services team at the IWK, a team from Crothall, a Compass Group Canada company, are keeping our facility clean, and therefore, safe. Like many teams at the IWK, they have had to adopt new practices, change their work and be flexible during this ever-changing pandemic response.
“This team is strong, dedicated to do their best and they continue to adapt their precaution training on these ever-changing tasks,” says Robert Enders, district manager, Compass One Healthcare.
To ensure the health centre is as safe as possible, Environmental Services is in close contact with Infection Prevention & Control and have restructured their approach to meet the specific needs of this time. For example, all critical care and clinical areas are receiving enhanced cleaning services, as are all high touch areas. High touch areas include: door handles, elevator buttons, hand rails, etc. and in a facility the size of the IWK, that is an enormous amount of surface to cover.
“We continue to be inspired by the work the team is doing as a result of COVID-19,” says Tejasvi Davne, operations manager, Environmental Services on behalf of her leadership colleagues. “Brighter days are ahead and your spirit is needed now more than ever as we continue to provide our essential services to the communities we care for.”
The team is devoted to making sure surfaces at the health centre are disinfected. They understand that every link in the IWK chain is critical in safe patient care and service delivery.
“Everything the team does is part of infection control,” says Gordon Slaunwhite, housekeeping associate. “This team is a vital part of the IWK operation and has a big impact on patient care.”
Together with the areas they work in, Environmental Services is doing their part to ensure a healthy future for our women, children, youth and families.