Preserving and protecting your hospital or health care facility’s floors is a must, and not only to prevent healthcare-associated infections. The savvy facilities manager is well aware, not only about the cleanliness of floors at his or her hospital, but their differing conditions based on the use of a hodgepodge of various flooring substrates.
That’s why a high-quality floor care program monitored by experienced environmental services professionals is so important, says Vanguard Resources Regional Director Rich Murdock. “A high-quality floor care program can help protect your flooring investment and make a great impression with customers. The perception is, if the floors aren’t shiny, then they are dirty.”
What makes floor care so difficult: Each surface requires a different treatment. One of the best and easiest ways to build consistency amid the assortment of substrates, according to facilities management experts, involves a four-step process:
- Grouping substrates into four main categories: Finished, low- to no maintenance, carpet and rubber.
- Mapping the locations of each substrate used, their age, traffic patterns and wear levels.
- Creating a general program that incorporates standardized procedures and products that do the job in most cases.
- Developing a second set of steps to follow when a general program doesn’t get the job done completely.
The Best Flooring Surface
When it comes to selecting a hard flooring surface, however, facilities managers still lean toward traditional surfaces over green products. What matters most to facility managers when making a decision on a flooring surface: Cost, durability and visual appeal are the primary factors for health care facilities that aren’t concerned about sustainability.
For more information about protecting your health care facility’s floors and keeping them clean 24/7, contact Vanguard Resources.