Of the many tasks provided by environmental services (EVS) professionals, few are as critical as the cleaning and disinfecting of surgical areas in hospitals. One of the unsung heroes in this field is
Maria Diaz De Leon, a Sodexo hygiene specialist at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Recently named the winner of UMF|PerfectCLEAN’s 15th annual National Hygiene Specialist® Excellence Award, Diaz De Leon’s dedication and professionalism help ensure that these vital areas are meticulously maintained.
Cleaning under the microscope
Diaz De Leon has been with Phoenix Children’s Hospital for eight years. She began in housekeeping, moved on to a floor tech position, and ultimately became a supervisor overseeing the work and training of EVS staff. “The cleaning and equipment techniques keep changing, and we have to find the right way to clean properly and train people to clean correctly,” Diaz De Leon said.
As supervisor of the night shift, Diaz De Leon oversees more than 20 EVS professionals responsible for all terminal cleaning within the perioperative areas at the hospital’s four locations.
Terminal cleaning is a thorough, deep-cleaning process performed in healthcare settings, particularly in perioperative areas where surgical procedures take place. This cleaning is crucial
for preventing infections as well as ensuring patient safety, compliance with standards, and operational efficiency.
By following the proper protocols and using the correct equipment, Diaz De Leon and her team have gained the confidence of the medical staff and their patients. “We use UV light disinfection
and [adenosine triphosphate] ATP testing,” she explained. “Our [testing] numbers are really good because we follow the regulations for cleaning.”
Celebrating recognition
Diaz De Leon’s manager, Jason Solley, senior area general manager of EVS at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, nominated her for UMF’s annual National Hygiene Specialist Excellence Award.
“It’s just really great to see her get recognized for all the work that she does with the team that takes care of such a vital part in healthcare,” Solley said. “Maria exemplifies the professionalism and how critical our role is to positive patient outcomes.”
Upon learning that she had won the award, Diaz De Leon said, “I was honored that my boss thought of me, and I was very surprised. ”
The award recognizes the crucial contributions of EVS departments in reducing preventable healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Diaz De Leon will receive an all-expenses-paid trip for two, including airfare, to a destination of her choice within the 48 contiguous states.
Setting goals
Diaz De Leon recently earned her Certification Training for Surgical Cleaning Technicians (CSCT) from the Association for the Healthcare Environment (AHE). Her next objective is to obtain
a Certificate of Mastery in Infection Prevention (CMIP) through AHE later this year, further enhancing her expertise in protecting patients.
“I want to keep learning to prepare myself, and I want to be ready to give better training to my team so that we can provide better service,” she said. “Just keep learning and be responsible; everything can happen if you do this.”
