COVID-19 Update: EVS Staff Prepare for Patient Overflows

As many workers stay home amid government orders to rest in place, employees in the cleaning industry—including environmental services (EVS) staff in hospitals—are needed more than ever to report to work ready to perform efficiently, as other people’s lives may depend on it.

“We always knew cleaning was important, but our current pandemic really puts things in perspective,” said Gregory Gardner, an EVS director for Crothall Healthcare at Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. “We have been doing well, keeping our teams motivated and comfortable utilizing their training. We are a critical part the front lines providing a safe, clean environment for our patients to heal.”

Yesterday U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams warned Americans that cases of COVID-19 are going to spike this week, filling hospital—already hampered with dwindling medical supplies—past their capacities. Efficient partnerships between EVS and infection preventionists and strict adherence to surface disinfection protocols will help  improve work flows and patient outcomes.  

Adams reiterated the message to stay home if your job allows to help slow the spread of COVID-19. As of Monday, residents of at least nine states—California, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Louisiana, Wisconsin, and Connecticut—had orders from their governors to stay home to curb the spread of the virus.

So far, more than 34,300 Americans have been infected with coronavirus across all 50 states and at least 414 people have died. That number is sure to have increased by the time you read this.

The federal government has activated the U.S. National Guard in three of the states hardest hit by the virus—California, Washington and New York. Almost half all U.S. cases are in New York state.

Keep up with the latest news on how COVID-19 is affecting the cleaning industry.

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