GUIDE TO THE 8 RULES OF CLEANING, CRITICAL TOUCH POINTS AND METHOD MAPS

This Cleaning Services Guide details the 8 Rules of Cleaning, Critical Touch Points (CTPs), and Method Maps, all designed to ensure good infection prevention practice. The rules should be followed in conjunction with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

**The 8 Rules of Cleaning**

These basic principles apply to any cleaning task. The mnemonic "REMEMBER CLEANING TODAY CAN STOP TRANSMITTING INFECTIONS FAST" can help remember them.

1. **Right PPE and equipment:** Use the specified equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) for safety, efficiency, and performance.

2. **Clean as if it were for a friend or member of your family**.

3. **Top to bottom:** Clean from top to bottom to prevent moving dirt and dust into clean areas.

4. **Clean to dirty:** Save the dirtiest areas for last, like cleaning the bathroom after the bedroom.

5. **Space to space:** Complete one distinct space before moving to the next to avoid transferring micro-organisms.

6. **Taps before sink:** Clean taps first, then the rest of the sink with a new cloth, as taps pose the highest risk for *Pseudomonas*, a water-borne bacteria.

7. **If your mop or cloth is dirty, change it:** Change regularly to avoid cross-contamination.

8. **Focus on critical touch points** (CTPs).

**Critical Touch Points (CTPs)**

CTPs are also known as high touch points or high touch surfaces. Focusing cleaning on the 21 CTPs is scientifically proven to prevent infections, as most organisms are spread by touch.

The 21 CTPs, found in a patient's immediate environment, include:

* Door handles, light switches/pulls, window sills, and wall mouldings.

* TV remote, telephone, call button, and bed controls.

* Headboard, footboard, and bed rail.

* Chair seat, chair arm, over-bed table, and bedside locker.

* Hand hygiene dispenser, taps, bathroom hand rails, toilet roll dispenser, toilet flush, and toilet seat.

**Method Maps**

Method maps are a training tool that visually combine the 8 Rules of Cleaning and 21 CTPs onto diagrams of representative healthcare areas.

Reference: https://laverne.edu/health/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2020/03/Cleaning-Guide-8-Rules.pdf

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