The need for hand-free mop cleaning in hospital wards

In-depth Analysis of the Cleaning Needs of Hand-Free Mops in Hospital Wards

Ground type and pollution risk

PVC antibacterial flooring/epoxy resin floor: The mop should have high-density fibers (≥ 8,000 per square centimeter) to absorb tiny particles (such as dander, hair), while avoiding scratching the floor coating.

Tile joints and corners: They are prone to hide blood stains and chemical liquid residues. The mop head should be able to reach into the gaps (thickness ≤4 cm) and the material should be resistant to chemical corrosion.

Pollution source type:

Biological contamination: blood, body fluids, and vomit. The mop should have a rapid adsorption capacity (water absorption ≥ 10 times its own weight) and support high-temperature disinfection (sterilization at 121℃).

Chemical contamination: Disinfectant residue, splashing of liquid medicine. The mop material should be resistant to acid and alkali (pH tolerance range 2-12).

Physical contamination: Glass shards, medical waste. The mop head should have a puncture-resistant design (thickness ≥1 cm).

Infection control requirements

Cross-infection prevention and control: Mops should be used in separate areas (such as for general wards and isolation wards) to prevent the spread of pathogenic bacteria.

Cleaning frequency:

General wards: Clean three times a day (morning, noon and evening).

Isolation ward: Clean immediately after each use and add a terminal disinfection process.

Drying time: The ground should dry within 5 minutes after mopping to prevent patients from slipping or bacterial growth.

Dehydration and water control system

Four-level dehydration adjustment:

Isolation ward: Use the "super dry" setting (moisture content ≤2%) to prevent the floor from being slippery due to the residue of disinfectants.

General wards: Use the "slightly damp" setting (moisture content 8-10%) to balance the speed of cleaning and drying.

Stubborn stains: Use the "wet mop" setting (with a moisture content of 15-18%) and wipe the affected area in combination with a disinfectant.

Emergency disinfection: Use the "spray" setting (with a moisture content of 5%), quickly spray disinfectant and then mop the floor.

Dehydration efficiency verification: After dehydration, the mop should naturally drip no more than 1 drop of water within 20 seconds to ensure no residue on the ground.

Mopping cloth material and disinfection requirements

Composite antibacterial mop

Ultrafine fiber layer: Adsorbs bacteria and tiny particles, increasing cleaning efficiency by 70%.

Silver ion coating: Inhibits bacterial reproduction (antibacterial rate ≥99.9%), reduces secondary pollution of the mop.

Detachable design: The mop head supports high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization (121℃ for 30 minutes), and should be replaced once a day (in high-risk areas).

Cleaner compatibility:

Chlorine-containing disinfectant (effective chlorine 500-1000mg/L) : used for cleaning bloodstains and vomit.

Hydrogen peroxide disinfectant (3% concentration) : Used for terminal disinfection to prevent ground corrosion.

Ergonomics and operational safety

Anti-pollution design

The mop handle is made of antibacterial materials (such as stainless steel + nano-coating) to reduce bacterial adhesion.

The dewatering bucket is designed with a sealed seal to prevent aerosol transmission caused by splashing of sewage.

Ease of operation:

Pedal dewatering: Single-foot operation to avoid hand contact with sewage.

The mop head can rotate 360°, making it convenient to clean narrow areas such as under the bed and around the instruments.

Safety Warning:

The mop handle is marked with "Clean Area" and "Contaminated Area" labels to avoid misuse.

The dehydration bucket is equipped with a water level warning line to prevent overflow and slippery ground.

Zoning cleaning strategy

High-risk area:

Isolation ward: Clean immediately after each use. Use a mop exclusively and mark it as "contaminated".

Around the operating room: Clean 5 times a day and use the "Super Dry" setting to avoid disinfectant residue.

Medium-risk area:

General wards: Clean in the order of "head of the bed → foot of the bed → corridor" to avoid repeated trampling.

Nurse Station: Clean once every hour, with a focus on removing spilled medicine and scraps of paper.

Low-risk area

Storage room: Clean once a week using the "wet mop" setting with neutral detergent.

Under the windowsill: Clean once a month. Wipe with a cloth and then mop the floor.

Operation skills

Preprocessing stage:

Cover the bloodstains and vomit with absorbent paper towels and let it stand for 5 minutes before cleaning up.

Spray disinfectant on stubborn stains, cover with cling film and let it stand for 10 minutes before mopping the floor.

Mopping skills:

Adopt the "unidirectional dragging method" : advance from the clean area to the contaminated area to avoid cross-contamination.

For the bottom of the instrument, use the side of the mop head to clean it close to the ground. Keep the speed uniform when turning.

Finishing work:

Use a dry mop or a special absorbent towel to quickly dry the floor, especially in the bathroom and the entrance corridor.

After cleaning, hang the mop in a well-ventilated area to ensure that the cotton head is completely dry.

Emergency response

Spilling of blood/body fluids

Immediately cover with absorbent paper towels and let it stand for 5 minutes before cleaning.

Use the "wet mop" mode in combination with a chlorine-containing disinfectant (1000mg/L) for local cleaning.

Use the "Super Dry" setting to dry the ground to prevent the patient from slipping.

Sprinkling of liquid medicine

Use a dry cloth to absorb the surface liquid medicine to prevent it from spreading.

Choose the cleaning agent according to the nature of the liquid medicine (use an alkaline cleaning agent for acidic liquid medicine and vice versa).

After mopping the floor, rinse it with clean water to reduce residue.

Mop cleaning and disinfection

Daily cleaning

After rinsing with clean water, gently brush the gaps between the rubber cotton heads with an old toothbrush to remove stubborn stains.

Soak in neutral detergent for 30 minutes every month and hand wash key areas (such as the edges of the mop).

Deep disinfection

Soak in oxygen-containing bleach (diluted at a ratio of 1:100) for 1 hour every quarter to remove deep stains.

Replace the mop head every year to ensure the cleaning effect.

Disinfection treatment

After daily cleaning, soak the mop in a chlorine-containing disinfectant solution (1:200) for 30 minutes.

The mops in the isolation ward should be sterilized at high temperature immediately after each use.

Maintenance of the dehydration bucket

Filter screen cleaning

After each dehydration, discard the wastewater and rinse the filter screen with clean water to prevent hair clogging.

Clean the gaps of the filter screen with a toothbrush every month to ensure smooth drainage.

Anti-rust treatment

Dry the metal parts of the dehydration bucket with a dry cloth to prevent rust from affecting the dehydration efficiency.

When not in use for a long time, place a desiccant in the dehydration bucket.

Long-term storage

Dry environment

Hang the mop in a well-ventilated area to ensure that the rubber cotton head is completely dry (to avoid mold).

Avoid direct sunlight to prevent the rubber cotton head from hardening.

Dust protection:

Wrap the mop head with a cloth cover to prevent dust from adhering and affecting the next use.

Component inspection:

Check monthly whether the pedals, gears and other components are loose, and tighten or replace them in time.

Operation specification training

Selection of dehydration gear: Choose the appropriate dehydration gear based on the type of floor and the degree of stains.

Cleaning route planning: Clean in the order of "high risk → medium risk → low risk" to avoid cross-contamination.

Emergency response procedures: Clearly define the response steps for sudden situations such as blood spillage and liquid medicine spillage.

Cleaning record management

Cleaning log: Records the daily cleaning time, area, and type of disinfectant used.

Maintenance records: Record maintenance information such as mop replacement, dewatering bucket cleaning, and component repair.

Problem feedback: Establish a feedback mechanism for cleaning issues to promptly address mop malfunctions or cleaning difficulties.

Teamwork

Zoning responsibility system: The ward is divided into several areas, and each person is responsible for cleaning a fixed area.

Cross-checking: After daily cleaning, the supervisor or colleagues conduct spot checks to ensure the quality of cleaning.

Summer usage suggestions

Increase cleaning frequency: High temperatures can easily cause stains to solidify. It is recommended to clean four times a day (in the morning, at noon, in the evening, and at night).

Insect prevention treatment: Place insect repellent tablets in the dehydration bucket to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes.

Sun protection measures: Avoid prolonged exposure of the mop to the sun, as the rubber cotton head may harden and deform.

Winter usage suggestions

Warm water cleaning: Soak the mop in warm water below 40℃ to enhance the activity of the cleaner.

Anti-freezing protection: After cleaning, move the mop indoors to prevent the rubber cotton head from cracking due to freezing.

Static electricity treatment: Spray anti-static spray on the mop to reduce dust adhesion.

Suggestions for Use in the Rainy Season

Anti-slip treatment: Place absorbent floor MATS at the entrance of the ward to reduce the entry of rainwater.

Quick drying: After cleaning, open the Windows for ventilation for 15 minutes and use a fan to accelerate the drying of the floor.

Comply with medical standards: Mops need to pass the ISO 13485 medical device quality management system certification to ensure that the design complies with infection control requirements.

Material safety: The material of the mop needs to pass the biocompatibility test (such as ISO 10993) to avoid irritation to the patient's skin.

Disinfection verification: The mop must support high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization and provide a sterilization effect verification report.

Through the above key points, the hand-free mops in hospital wards can achieve the goal of "efficient cleaning, strict disinfection, and low risk of cross-infection". It is recommended to choose a mop with a head width of no more than 25 centimeters, adjustable dehydration Settings, and a mop made of microfiber and silver ion coating. Priority should be given to testing the dehydration efficiency and antibacterial performance through offline experience stores to ensure they meet the requirements of medical scenarios.