How to Establish a Hygiene Protocol for Clinic and Hospital Openings?
Opening a new clinic or hospital is not limited to creating a physical structure. Establishing a hygiene protocol to ensure the safety of healthcare services is one of the most critical steps of the opening process. In this article, we will examine step by step the basic steps to establish an effective hygiene protocol for clinic and hospital openings.
1. Pre-opening Risk Assessment
Why is risk analysis important?
Each healthcare facility is different in size, scope of service and patient profile. Therefore, the hygiene protocol does not fit into a standard mould. Firstly
- In which departments will patient traffic be more intense?
- In which areas is the risk of infection higher?
- What will be the level of factors such as medical waste, number of personnel, visitor circulation?
Risk levels should be mapped by answering these questions.
2. Compliance of Physical Infrastructure with Hygiene Standards
Structure and material selection
- Floor, wall and ceiling coverings must be easy to clean, liquid proof and chemical resistant.
- Hand washing areas must be accessible in every patient room and at all critical points.
- Ventilation systems should be supported with HEPA filters and positive/negative pressure systems should be installed in areas such as operating theatres and intensive care.
3. Selection of Hygiene and Disinfection Products
Which products should be preferred?
- Surface disinfectants: Products with proven efficacy, broad microbial spectrum and residue-free products should be preferred.
- Instrument disinfectants: Products that do not damage the structure of medical instruments and have high material compatibility should be used.
- Hand antiseptics and soaps: Skin-compatible, dermatologically tested, fast-acting products should be selected.
💡 Detro Healthcare’s hygiene products specially developed for medical and surgical areas can provide important support in this process.
4. Staff Training and Protocol Information
Hygiene success is a team work
Even if a hygiene protocol is prepared, it remains ineffective unless it is implemented. For this reason
- Infection control training must be given to all personnel before opening.
- Department-based cleaning responsibilities must be determined and written down.
- Cleaning hours, products used and application frequencies should be made into standard procedures.
5. Creating Daily and Periodic Cleaning Plan
Cleanliness is a strategic practice, not just visibility.
- Daily cleaning: Patient rooms, common areas, toilets and floors should be cleaned at regular intervals every day.
- Intensive cleaning: Areas such as ceilings, walls, ventilation grilles should be disinfected at weekly or monthly intervals.
- The cleaning process should be supervised and recorded with field control forms.
6. Hygiene Measures for Opening Day and First Week
Maximum attention at opening
The first weeks of a new health institution are an adjustment period for both the team and the patients. In this period
- Daily cleaning frequency should be increased.
- Informative posters on hygiene protocol should be hung in all areas.
- Hand sanitiser stations should be placed at visible points.
- Visitor traffic should be kept to a minimum and controlled passage should be applied.
7. Establishment of Infection Control Committee
Organisational structure is required for the protocol to be sustainable
An Infection Control Committee should be established to continuously update the hygiene protocol and monitor its applicability. The duties of the committee are as follows:
- To make impact analyses of hygiene products
- To ensure the supervision of cleaning staff
- To follow new biocidal products and regulations
- To revise the protocol when necessary
Hygiene Protocol is the basis of continuity, not opening
The hygiene protocol to be established at the opening of a new clinic or hospital is not only an opening requirement, but also a fundamental element in terms of patient safety, institutional reputation and service quality. The fact that the protocol is scientifically based, sustainable and auditable protects both employees and patients.
