The Partnership Between Infection Prevention Specialists and EVS Staff

Infection Preventionists (IPs) and environmental services (EVS) workers are both essential hospital staff. Hospitals that are serious about infection control must foster a positive partnership between the two groups of workers, according to a tutorial from Infection Control Today offering advice on how to make the partnership work.

There needs to be give-and-take when it comes to developing best practices for cleaning hospitals. IPs must acknowledge the important role EVS workers play in infection control. There also must be close collaboration between the workers, especially with COVID-19 emphasizing the importance of cleaning and disinfection protocols. Both teams need to plan how to have enough cleaning supplies as these products have been in short supply during the pandemic. And they must plan how to use the products properly as to not waste them, such as training staff about appropriate dilutions.

In a typical hospital, EVS staff are in charge of the cleaning process but IPs work carefully with them to make sure the process is followed by auditing it frequently. Both sides provide feedback to each other to make sure everyone follows best practices.

Sharing knowledge and offering suggestions, instead of making demands, builds trust. Respecting workers in each team as the experts they are can open the relationship for productive discussion. Patients benefit most when both teams can work cooperatively.