Hospital Housekeeping Checklist

It goes without saying that proper sanitization is absolutely essential when running a hospital. There is always a threat of infectious diseases spreading and it is the responsibility of the cleaning department to make sure this risk is minimized. 

This hospital housekeeping checklist will guide you through a thorough cleaning process for each and every patient room in the hospital. 

Run this checklist to ensure that nothing is being missed and you are providing your patients and employees with a sanitary environment.

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The point is to minimize human error, increase accountability, and provide employees with all of the tools and information necessary to complete their tasks as effectively as possible.

The critical first step before beginning the housekeeping process is hand hygiene. 

Wash your hands thoroughly before moving on to the next step. 

Below is a video showing the steps for hand-washing using the WHO technique.

The appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn:

Place a safety/wet floor sign by the door, just outside the room.

Because the room is occupied, be sure to knock, enter slowly, and be polite. 

Check the sharps container and make sure it is no more than 3/4 full. If the container is full, safely empty it and place it back where it was to begin with. 

Empty the container and place it back in its original spot. 

Complete the following steps when tending to trash cans:

Now you can focus on disinfecting the main features in the room.

Start by wiping down the arm rails fixed to the bed, chairs and any other furniture. 

Move on to wiping down the frame and foot of the bed. 

Be sure to not cause any discomfort for the patient occupying the room. 

Work through the sub-checklist below to ensure you have disinfected all other high-touch areas in the room.

Wipe down all windows and window ledges in the room.

Ensure that you clean any other wall-mounted equipment in the room

Of course, be extra careful not to interfere with any medical equipment during cleaning.

The first thing to do when cleaning the patient's restroom is to disinfect all high-touch surfaces.

Run through the sub-checklist below to ensure this step is completed. 

Next, clean the mirror(s) and countertops in the room. 

Continuing on around the sink area, clean the soap and paper towel dispenser with a disinfectant wipe.

Clean the shower and/or tub thoroughly.

The damp environment of a shower makes it an ideal place for the growth of bacteria and fungi. To prevent the spread of disease and unwanted infestations, be extremely diligent and don't miss the hard to reach areas. 

Check off the tasks below to ensure you clean all components of the toilet. 

Clean the bathroom door, walls and any other fixtures that you haven't tended to yet. 

If there are any stains or discoloration, pay particular attention to making sure these areas are cleaned thoroughly. 

Finally, before leaving the bathroom, its time to clean the floor. 

Begin by sweeping to collect dust and any trash that might be lying there. Then, mop the floor to leave it completely disinfected and sparkling. 

Perform a scan of the room to make sure nothing has been missed.

This will require approval from your supervisor so be sure to conduct a thorough check to avoid unnecessary delays. 

Remove the disposable gloves, and, just like you did before entering the patient room at the start of the process, wash your hands thoroughly.

Once the floor has dried, remove the wet floor/safety sign you placed there in the beginning.

This marks that the job is complete!

If you have any additional comments following the cleaning, note them down below. 

These may include:

• Concerning accumulation of dirt
• Improper use of the sharps container or trash cans (e.g. overflowing)
• Potentially faulty equipment 
• Concern over the potential presence of pests

• Safety Culture - Hospital Housekeeping Checklist
• Zaba - A Comprehensive Housekeeping Checklist for Hospitals 
• Infection Control Today - Patient Room Cleaning Protocol
• Kaivac - Hospital Cleaning Best Practices

• Home Visit Checklist
• Terminal Room Cleaning Checklist
• Hospital Safety Inspection Checklist
• Patient Satisfaction Survey Checklist
• HIPAA Compliance Checklist
• Mental Health Risk Assessment Checklist
• WHO Surgical Safety Checklist
• General Infection Control Checklist
• Patient Intake Checklist for a Medical Clinic
• Electrical Inspection Checklist for Hospitals